National

Hwange men caught with ivory outside supermarket

Published

3 years ago

June 13, 2022

BY NOTHANDO DUBE

Two Hwange men, who were allegedly found in possession of elephant tusks near a supermarket in the coal mining town in Matabeleland North, will go on trial on June 27 for possession of ivory without a permit.

Jimstone Regiment (30) and Brighton Sangumbwa (32) from Imgagula suburb were arrested on April 22 after they were allegedly found with three pieces of ivory that were stashed in the Toyata Gaia vehicle outside an OK supermarket.

On Friday, Regiment and Sangumbwa pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before magistrate Tomupei Zhou, who set their trial date for this month end.

Prosecutor Jamesina Makanza said on April 22, detectives from police’s Criminal Investigations Department received information that people who were in a Toyota Gaia registration number ABP 0075 parked outside the OK supermarket in Hwange had elephant tusks in their possession.

Makanza said at around 10PM, a team comprising Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and police officers was dispatched to conduct surveillance activities in the area.

“When they arrived they found the car matching the description was found parked at the OK Supermarket open space and the team approached the motor vehicle and introduced themselves to the occupants,” he said.

“Regiment was found holding one piece of ivory in his hand with a blue satchel between his legs while Sangumbwa was seated on the driver’s seat.

“A search was conducted by police officers in the motor vehicle, leading to the recovery of two pieces of ivory beside the accused one in the backseat covered with a blue cloth.

“The accused persons were each asked to produce a permit authorising them to possess ivory and they both failed to produce one leading to their arrest.”

The three pieces of ivory weighed 2.295 kilogrammes and were valued at US$390.

Sangumbwa and Regiment were remanded in custody.

Related Topics:elephant tusks Toyata Gaia

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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.