National

Hwange residents lose US$18 000 to ponzi scheme

Published

4 years ago

October 13, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Four Hwange residents lost over US$18 000 that they invested in a ponzi scheme, which masqueraded as a crypto currency investment platform.

One of the residents invested US$14 800 after he was y convinced by a man identified by police as Farai Chingombe (38) to invest his cash that was meant to mature within a period of 30 days to three months.

Chingombe, now in police custody, used the same modus operandi to persuade another Chibondo Extension resident to part with US$ 2 200.

He defrauded yet another victim of US$ 800.

Police said the suspected conman also robbed a 35-year-old woman of US$ 500 using the same tactics.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the arrest of Chingombe from Ingagula, who is employed at the Zimbabwe Power Company.

“In a period extending from January 2021 to August, the accused person knowingly that the investment shares would not come to maturity went on to receive the cash to the prejudice of the complainants,” Banda said.

“The investment shares had a varying period of maturity ranging from one month to three months.

“However, when the maturity dates were due the accused person did not honour the promised pay out shares.”

Banda said the four complainants decided to effect a citizen arrest on the accused on Saturday.

“On October 9 2021, the accused person was brought to Zimbabwe Republic Police Hwange by the complainants and was detained,” he said.

“The total value defrauded is US$ 18 300 and was not recovered and investigations are in progress.”

Meanwhile, police urged members of the public to be wary of fraudsters inviting them to invest “their hard-earned cash in ponzi-schemes”

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

4 days 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

1 month 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.