National

Drunk Victoria Falls man fined US$50 for damaging neighbour’s car

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2023

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A drunk Jambezi man from the outskirts of Victoria Falls has been fined US$50 after he hit his neighbour’s vehicle with a bottle, damaging the rear door.

Victoria Falls residents magistrate Godswill Mavenge recently heard this when Bhekimpilo Dube (23) of BH3 under Chief Shana appeared before him charged with malicious damage of property.

He was convicted on his own plea of guilt.

It was the state’s case presented by by Audrey Mukanganya that on December 26 at around 6.30pm, Ndumezulu Langa was driving to his homestead from Jambezi Bussiness Centre where upon reaching Mbizha-Ndlovu junction, he met the accused person with his friends walking towards the same direction.

“As he drove past, the accused proceeded to hit the complainant’s vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, on the left rear door using a beer bottle and damaged the car,” Mukanganya told the courts.

“The accused then ran away from the scene, but was apprehended by the complainant and took him to Zimbabwe Republic Police, Jambezi and filed a report.”

In court, the accused who was the first time offender did not reveal why he had committed the offense.

Mavenge, after cautioning him, sentenced him to pay a fine of US$50 by January 16, failure to which he will go to prison for 30 days.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 weeks ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

2 months ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.