National

Joyride lands Victoria Falls man in trouble

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2023

BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI

A Victoria Falls man has leant the hard way that crime does not pay after he got injured, following an accident while driving a stolen vehicle.

Thulani Tshuma (22) of Chinotimba stole a car belonging Gilbert Mthokozisi Nkomo, a clearing agent based in the resort city.

Nkomo had parked his vehicle at Cotton Club nightclub where he was drinking beer when Tshuma broke a window and drove off using spare keys that he allegedly found on the dashboard.

He drove along Park Way road, but was involved in an accident after the vehicle veered off the road and overturned at the Elephant Hills Hotel turn off.

Tshuma sustained bruises all over the body and was rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital where he was later arrested for malicious damage to property, driving without a valid drivers’ licence and negligent driving.

He appeared before magistrate Goodswill Mavenge who remanded him in custody to 11 January for appearance at the Hwange regional court.

For the state, Audrey Mukanganya said on 26 December the complainant parked his motor vehicle, a Toyota Vitz at a car park opposite Chicken Inn and locked the doors before entering Cotton Club nightclub.

“Around 3am the accused went to the car and smashed a left front window and entered the car, “Mukanganya said.

“He took spare keys on the dashboard and started the vehicle and drove along Park Way towards Elephant Hills Hotel. ”

On approaching the hotel turn off, Tshuma allegedly lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road and overturned, landing on its roof.

He abandoned the car and walked towards Victoria Falls City Council waterworks where he was found sleeping the following morning, with bruises all over the body and was taken to Victoria Falls Hospital.

Nkomo noticed in the morning that his car was missing and reported to the police.

Investigations led to the arrest of Nkomo at the hospital.

His phone and shoes were found in the car.

The car was extensively damaged.

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.