National

Hwange Local Board embarks on database collection exercise

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2023

BY BRENDA NCUBE

The Hwange Local Board (HLB), which administers a larger part of Hwange district, has embarked on an exercise of collecting vital statistics to compile a comprehensive database of all properties in its area of jurisdiction.

The process is aimed at improving the authority’s billing efficiency, taxation, levying and other revenue streams.

Speaking to VicfallsLive, Dumisani Nsingo spokesperson for HLB said the exercise will help determine property ownership.

“This exercise will give us appropriate information on the land at our disposal and will ensure land use planning, development control, as well as levying of users,” Nsingo said.

“We should be having information about every piece of land in our area. This entails who owns it and how much they owe us because that is where our main funds come from for us to deliver service to the people.” he said

Nsingo added that the exercise comes against the backdrop that a large number of properties were not appearing on Council’s billing system.

Over the past few years, Hwange has experienced massive infrastructural development in the construction of houses and commercial buildings and according to Nsingo, the exercise will inform the local board’s Valuation Roll which will be carried out in April.

“The Valuation Roll will be undertaken through utilisation of the Devolution Fund,” he reveale.

“In terms of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15 section 247, local authorities are mandated to carry out the general valuation roll of properties within their jurisdiction, within specified periods.

“The general valuation roll will capture newly constructed properties, the improvements and subdivisions made in the last two decades. New suburbs and buildings have no market ratings at the moment.” he said

The exercise is expected to be completed in March.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months 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

3 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

4 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.