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Mphoko’s son arrested for rape, escapes from custody

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BULAWAYO – Former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko’s son, who handed himself to the police for allegedly raping his 12-year-old niece has since fled, saying he fears for his life.

Siqokoqela Mphoko told VOA Zimbabwe that he handed himself to the police after the law enforcement agents threatened to take stern measures against him.

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Mphoko said, “I was called by police investigators.

“Apparently police intelligence (operatives) called me this afternoon and told me to avail myself at the police station at Hillside Police Station and I asked them what it was all about and they told me that if I don’t appear they will use force in order to come after me.

“There is an allegation of rape against me.

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“A niece who has been staying with us at the request of her mother who is living in South Africa …

“She is my cousin, came from South Africa saying she wants to see the kid and the child was at school doing extra lessons at Wonder Park.

“They begged us to stay with her and help her academically. She is a 12-year-old.

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“She is turning 13 next month … This is what it is …”

Mphoko claimed that “my cousin has since taken the child from school and made a police report that I wore a condom when I raped my niece.”

He said his detention “has to do with the Choppies case and Professor Welshman Ncube has issues with this.

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“My former business partners are behind this. These people have a serious network. Why would my sister lie and say something like this.

“The allegation is that I used a condom on her.”

He claimed that he may be poisoned in police custody “like what nearly happened last time when I was locked up.”

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He further claimed that his father is opposed to his attempt to silence his former Choppies business partners, who want a big stake in the company.

Ncube was unreachable on his mobile phone.

He later told VOA Zimbabwe that he is alone somewhere and her distraught family is looking for him.

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“Let it be known that I have not been arrested by the government. When I complied last time I nearly died.

“I will not go down that road again. I asked the officer in charge who said the case is out of their hands. This is premeditated.”

The former vice president and his son claim that they are the majority stakeholders of Choppies Zimbabwe through their local investment vehicle, Nanavac with 51 percent.

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The High Court recently dismissed an application filed by the Mphokos seeking an order to declare that the majority holders of Choppies Enterprises.

They sued Nanavac Investments Private Limited, Choppies Enterprise and Choppies Distribution Center (Proprietory) Limited demanding payment for the 51 percent shares. – VOA

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National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

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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.

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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.

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ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Retailers send Mnangagwa SOS as shops continue shutting down over operational woes

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BY ZIMLIVE

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and save the sector which has seen various formal retail and wholesale businesses closing shop countrywide due to operational challenges.

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In a statement on Sunday, CZR president Denford Mutashu said the continued closure of formal retail and wholesale businesses is a direct consequence of the tough economic environment that has consistently failed to support formalised sector players who face stiff competition from informal businesses and vendors the majority of whom have no tax obligations to deal with.

Mutashu said his association was concerned that authorities continue to downplay the crisis.

“The recent closure of several outlets under the N. Richards Group, coupled with Spar Zimbabwe’s painful decision to shut down Queensdale Spar, Choppies Zimbabwe’s exit from the market, and Mahommed Mussa’s significant reduction of shop space by 60%, highlights the growing crisis.

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“As the representative association for these and other brands, CZR is alarmed that while formal businesses face enormous challenges, the authorities continue to present a different picture of the operating environment,” he said.

Given the situation, Mutashu said, only President Mnangagwa can rescue the troubled sector.

“CZR therefore calls for urgent intervention from His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, to rescue what remains of the formalized retail and wholesale sector,” said Mutashu.

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He said the sector was in urgent need of rescue.

“While CZR acknowledges the continued support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, it is clear that the root causes of these challenges are fiscal and monetary in nature. These require urgent and decisive action to ensure the survival of formal businesses.

“CZR therefore appeals to the Presidium to prioritize interventions aimed at saving jobs and mitigating the ongoing wave of shop closures and retrenchments,” he said.

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