National

Police urge public to behave during SADC Summit, Heroes’ holiday

Published

8 months ago

August 9, 2024

BY STAFF REPORTER

As the country prepares to host the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a statement urging the public to exhibit law-abiding behavior during the upcoming event and the Heroes’ holiday.

Commissioner-General of Police, Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, assured foreign dignitaries, visitors, and Zimbabweans that adequate police deployments have been made to ensure peace and security throughout the country. “We want to assure the public that we have deployed enough police officers and resources to ensure that peace prevails not only in Harare but in all parts of the country,” said Matanga.

The statement comes as the country prepares to host the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit from August 17-18.

The summit will be preceded by the commemoration of the nation’s Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.

However, rights watchdogs, including the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference have expressed deep concern over the prevailing situation in the country, citing the resurgence of “ugly vices” ahead of the SADC Heads of States meeting where sores of rights activists and opposition members have been locked in jail for varying degrees of freedom of expression charges.

The police commissioner also urged motorists to drive responsibly and cooperate with police officers controlling traffic. “We implore motorists to be exemplary in their driving conduct…we will impound all unroadworthy vehicles and take stern action on any motorist who will be found driving through red traffic lights, going against the flow of traffic or creating third or fourth lanes on the roads,” he warned.

Matanga also appealed to parents to prioritize the safety and security of children during the holiday and urged the public to report any criminal acts to the police. “We want to assure the public that we will take decisive action against anyone operating unlicensed liquor outlets or shebeens during this period,” he said.

The police commissioner also reminded the public that the police will maintain its usual visibility in residential, industrial areas, and Central Business Districts through patrols, stop and search blitz, and monitoring suspects who might want to take advantage of the pending holidays and the SADC Summit to commit criminal acts.

“We will also take decisive action against anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol,” Matanga warned. “We want to assure the public that we will do everything in our power to ensure that they are safe and secure during this period.”

The police commissioner concluded by wishing all visitors to the country a safe stay and hospitality. “Please enjoy the safety and security of Zimbabwe during your stay,” he said.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

3 weeks 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

2 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.

National

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

Published

2 months ago

January 27, 2025

VicFallsLive

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.

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.

“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.

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.