BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Harare – The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) gender desk has issued a statement demanding the immediate release of Nicole Chabata, a form four student who was arrested and convicted for participating in a celebration of the National Day of the African Child.

“As the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) gender desk, we stand in solidarity with Nicole Chabata who was wrongfully arrested and convicted on the 16th of June for participating and celebrating the National day of the African Child. Her commitment to the day reflects a noble cause that doesn’t deserve to be reciprocated by repression,” said Lillian Tinotenda Muhwandavaka, Gender Secretary of ZINASU.

According to the statement, Nicole’s conviction is part of a disturbing trend of the regime trying to silence young voices that seek to promote social justice and women’s rights. “The actions taken on Nicole reflect a disturbing trend of the regime trying to silence young voices that seek to promote social Justice and the rights of women,” said Muhwandavaka.

The ZINASU gender desk highlighted that Nicole’s unlawful arrest deprived her of the opportunity to finish her second term and attend school like other students. “This undermines her educational journey simply because she celebrated the hope, resilience and the fundamental rights every child deserves,” said Muhwandavaka.

The desk demanded the immediate review and reversal of Nicole’s conviction, as well as that of everyone else who was wrongfully convicted on June 16. “We demand that the responsible authorities and relevant institutions review these convictions and uphold justice. These women and activists are being subjected to unnecessary trauma, health conditions and institutionalized personality traits,” said Muhwandavaka.

The statement concluded with a message of solidarity with Nicole Chabata and the Avondale 78, demanding that their cases be handled seriously so that they can focus on their studies without the weight of wrongful convictions. “We stand in solidarity with Nicole Chabata and many other females that were arrested without committing any wrongful crime with the Avondale 78. We demand that these cases be handled seriously such that Nicole can focus on her studies and sit for upcoming exams comfortably, with no weight of a wrongful conviction,” said Muhwandavaka.

BY STAFF REPORTER

In the wake of a tragic bus accident on Tuesday night, which claimed ten lives, Mzansi Bus has released a statement addressing the incident and providing details on the events that unfolded.

Read the full statement below to learn more about what happened and the way forward.

“At about 23:50 hours last night (27 August 2024), our bus Registration Number HT73PGGP traveling from Bulawayo bound for Johannesburg was involved in an accident at the Three Mile Circle (Roundabout) in Makhado, South Africa.

There were 67 passengers on board as well as the bus crew. Following this accident some passengers tragically lost their lives and several others suffered various degrees of injuries. South African Emergency services attended to the scene and transported the injured and deceased to Makhado and Elim Hospitals for treatment.

We are currently co-operating with law enforcement agents as they attend to the matter. Next of kin members will be notified when all passengers’ individual identifications have been finalized.

We kindly ask for your patience as law enforcement and health service providers work on treating and identifying all passengers both injured and deceased.

The management of Mzansi Express would like to take the opportunity to reassure Zimbabweans that we too are feeling the nation’s shock and pain at this tragic hour.

A more detailed statement will be released in due course as we continue working with the Authorities in Zimbabwe and South Africa.”

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Police in Madlambuzi, Bulilima district, have arrested six suspects in connection with the murder of Soze Dube (54), whose body was found in a hut on four days ago.

The suspects, all from Ndolwane village, allegedly took turns assaulting Dube with switches, accusing him of stealing a goat.

The suspects have been identified as Qiniso Ncube (38), Honest Sola, Justin Nkomo (60), Malcom Sichelo Ncube (24), Mayibongwe Nyathi (27), Lyton Ncube (28), and Mulu Nyathi (20).

In a separate incident, police in Mberengwa, Midlands province, are seeking information leading to the arrest of Clear Msipa, wanted in connection with the murder of Knowledge Moyo (34).

Msipa allegedly fatally stabbed Moyo with a knife at Shauro Business Centre on August 26, accusing him of having an affair with his wife.