National

Shock as Tsholotsho girl (6) dies in blaze

Published

4 years ago

August 20, 2021

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A six-year-old Tsholotsho girl was burnt to death by a fire that she started while playing at an abandoned homestead.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Glory Banda confirmed the death of Sijabulile Meron Ncube from Bubude Line under Chief Gampu on Thursday, but could not elaborate on the circumstances leading to the tragic incident.

“We confirm that we received such a report on August 19, 2021, but I cannot give any details surrounding the circumstances as I am out of the office, “Banda said.

However, a relative who requested anonymity said Sijabulile, who stayed with her grandmother Pretty Nkomo (64), was alone at home when the incident happened at around 2 PM.

Nkomo had gone to Bubude Clinic to get a Covid-19 vaccine dose.

“She was playing with other two girls of her age and she decided to make a fire,” the relative said.

“She then collected grass and stashed it into a hut at an abandoned homestead before igniting it.

“Soon after, the flames engulfed the whole hut as she had put too much dry grass and she failed to escape as the hut was also brought down.”

As the flames engulfed her while screaming for help, her two friends ran to fetch her grandmother.

Nkomo tried to put out the fire, but it was too late to save her granddaughter as she was already dead.

The matter was reported at the Tshefunye police base and Sijabulile’s body was then taken to Tsholotsho District Hospital en-route to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem.

Banda said investigations were still underway to establish what led to the girl’s death.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

5 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.