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Chiwenga threatens black market traders amid free-falling dollar

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BY RAY NDLOVU

Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga issued a threat against the parallel-currency market traders, becoming the nation’s most senior official to acknowledge the risk that a resurgent black market poses to efforts to revive the beleaguered economy.

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“I wish to warn the perpetrators of this heinous crime that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them,” Chiwenga told business leaders in the second-largest city of Bulawayo.

He gave no details on the next steps.

The official Zimbabwe dollar has weakened 6.3 percent so far this year to 86.90 per U.S. dollar, according to data collected by Bloomberg.

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It trades at $162 per US dollar, according to marketwatch.co.zw, a website that tracks black-market rates.

The local unit’s plunge on the black market often leads to price hikes in the southern African nation, whose annual inflation was 50 percent in August.

The spread between the official and parallel rate had been stable for about a year since the central bank introduced a weekly auction in June 2020.

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But it has almost doubled in recent weeks due to payment backlogs that have left companies unable to access foreign currency.

In the past, the government sought to curb the black market by banning publishing of parallel rates and by asking retailers to price transactions at official rates.

It has also cracked down on mobile-money transactions in an effort to stabilize the currency.- Bloomberg

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Lupane

Conductor killed in bus accident along Dandanda-Jotsholo road

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BY STAFF REPORTER

A bus conductor lost his life in a tragic accident along Dandanda-Jotsholo Road in Lupane after being run over by the bus he was working on.

The incident occurred on November 17, at approximately 1:30 a.m.

According to the police report, the conductor was hanging precariously on the moving bus and unfortunately slipped and fell, resulting in fatal injuries.

The police are now urging bus operators and crew members to exercise extreme caution and adhere to safety protocols to avoid such devastating accidents.

They specifically warn against allowing loaders or conductors to hang dangerously on moving vehicles, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety on the roads.

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Bubi

Inyathi man handed community service for burning wife’s belongings

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

A 39-year-old man from Inyathi Township has been convicted of malicious damage to property after a disagreement with his wife

The accused recently appeared before the Inyathi Magistrates’ Court for malicious damage to property.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, sometime in September, the accused person had a misunderstanding with the complainant, his wife over the welfare of the family.

He forced the complainant and their children out of the house.

While the complainant was away, the accused person burnt the complainant’s belongings.

The destroyed property was valued at $140.

The accused person was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 3 months were suspended for 5 years.

A further 18 months were suspended on condition that he completes 630 hours of community service.

The remaining 3 months were suspended on condition of restitution.

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Hwange

Victoria Falls residents at odds with roaming buffaloes, Zimparks maintains they belong

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents of Victoria Falls are struggling to coexist with a large number of buffaloes that have taken over the streets of both high-density urban areas and low-residential areas.

The buffaloes seem to be everywhere, leaving residents frustrated and desperate.

Videos taken by residents and VicFallsLive, our media organization, show people trying to chase them away using sticks and rocks, but the buffaloes are undeterred.

This morning, three buffaloes blocked the road on Jakaranda Street, eating leaves from the trees and grass.

Despite the distress calls from residents, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) maintains that the buffaloes are within their habitat.

“I think we need to understand who is is saying there has been a growing trend of buffalos in Victoria Falls for an example, l think the numbers we have in Victoria Falls we don’t have much problems with them and this is what attracts tourists,”said Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson.

“It’s a tourist town and one of the major draw-cuts for tourists is those buffalos. It is definitely their habitat that’s where they stay in the wild.”

However, residents disagree. They say the buffaloes are causing a nuisance and pose a danger to humans.

“We are working hard to make a living, and now we have to deal with these wild animals in our streets,” said Khulani Ncube.

In one incident, about 40 buffaloes blocked the road on Mkhosana Street near Kazungula Road, eating vegetables. “It’s like they own the place,” said Trymore Ndolo who witnessed the scene, adding that they might cause a casualty if action is not taken.

While the Zimparks says that the buffaloes are a tourist attraction, residents argue that their safety should come first.

“We understand that tourism is important, but what about our lives?” asked a resident.

 

 

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