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StanChart Zimbabwe starts probe after reports CEO suspended

Published

3 years ago

February 3, 2022

BY GODFREY MARAWANYIKA

Standard Chartered Plc said it’s investigating allegations of misconduct involving senior management in Zimbabwe more than three weeks after a media organisation reported that the chief executive officer of the unit in that country had been suspended amid a corruption scandal.

In two separate reports in January NewZimbabwe.com said Ralph Watungwa had been suspended and tied him to alleged abuse of a foreign currency auction run by the central bank, as well as allegations of improperly authorized renovations at buildings owned by the bank.

The news website cited people it didn’t identify.

“We are aware of recent press reports concerning serious allegations of apparent misconduct by senior management officials within the organisation,” Lovemore Manatsa, chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe, said in an emailed statement on Thursday.

The reports and the absence of the CEO from work led the Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union to ask what the status of the executive was while the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe , John Mangudya, said he was waiting for the bank to advise him of what the situation was.

“Too little to late. This is an afterthought that is scarce, insincere and clearly inadequate,” Peter Mutasa, the general secretary of the Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union, said in an interview on Thursday.

“The bank rushes to announce and to take severe measures against non-managerial employees.

“However, when it comes to its senior executives, it tries to sweep issues under the carpet.”

The union may call for “collective action” to compel the bank to disclose what is being investigated, he said.

Watungwa declined to comment when called earlier this week and didn’t answer a call made to his mobile phone on Thursday.

“Any conduct which is found in letter or spirit to conflict with the principles outlined in our code of conduct and which may impair fair outcomes for colleagues, clients and the regulators will be responded to accordingly,” Manatsa said.

StanChart’s local unit is the oldest financial institution in Zimbabwe. It was founded in 1892 in a tent in Bulawayo, now the second-biggest city in the nation.

That was just two years after an expedition backed by Cecil John Rhodes set up a presence in the country initially known as Southern Rhodesia.

The nation became independent from the United Kingdom in 1980.

The London-based lender now has 390 employees in the country with a head office in the center of the capital, Harare, and competes with local and South African banks. – Bloomberg

In the community

Domestic violence takes a deadly turn: Hwange woman’s violent outburst lands her in jail

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 19-year-old woman from Makwika Village has been sentenced by the Hwange Magistrate’s Court for domestic violence and assault after a violent incident occurred on June 2, 2025.

The court heard that the woman assaulted her husband after he confronted her over messages on her phone. She slapped him, grabbed his private parts, dragged him into the kitchen, and poured boiling water on his lower body, causing serious injuries.

A concerned neighbor who attempted to intervene was also burnt with boiling water on her chest and hospitalized.

The woman was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for domestic violence and 24 months imprisonment for assault. However, 12 months of the assault sentence were suspended for 5 years on condition of good behavior, and the remaining 24 months were suspended on condition of performing 630 hours of community service.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has condemned the violent act, emphasizing that violence, whether in the home or community, is unacceptable.

“The law applies equally to all, and offenders will be held accountable,” said the NPAZ. “We encourage citizens to resolve disputes peacefully and report abuse immediately.”

In the community

Teenager sentenced to 18 months for knife attack on minor

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Bulawayo Regional Court recently sentenced a 19-year-old male from Nkayi’s Maphosa Village to 18 months imprisonment for attempted murder after a violent knife attack on a 15-year-old boy at Gwamayaya Business Centre.

Allegations are that on April 18, at approximately 23:00 hours, the offender entered a shop at the business centre, causing a commotion. When customers attempted to calm him down, he became aggressive and charged at the victim, stabbing him in the left side of the stomach with a knife.

The victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, while the offender was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

In court, the offender was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. However, six months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he performs 410 hours of community service.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has condemned the violent act, urging young people to resolve conflicts peacefully and encouraging communities to play a role in early intervention.

“Violence is never the answer. Every life matters – walk away, don’t escalate,” said the NPAZ in a statement.

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Fastjet launches Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flights

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Fastjet Zimbabwe is set to expand its domestic route network with the introduction of flights from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, starting August 8.

The new route will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

According to Nunurai Ndawana, spokesperson for Fastjet Zimbabwe, “The new Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flight strengthens our presence in Bulawayo and underscores our commitment to the development of tourism region.” Ndawana added, “Our four times a week flights will offer more travel opportunities and support both leisure and corporate travel between the two cities, reaffirming our position as a key airline partner in connecting the Matabeleland region.”

Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet Zimbabwe’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that “This has been a long time coming. We have been monitoring the development and traffic trends between the manufacturing city of Bulawayo and our tourism hub of Victoria Falls. The introduction of a scheduled service is a result of widespread consultative engagements and collaboration with key players in the industry.”

Fastjet Zimbabwe will deploy its Embraer fleet on the new route, offering customers a comfortable flight experience. The flight schedule is as follows:

– BUQ-VFA Flight FN8111: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Bulawayo at 13:25 and arriving in Victoria Falls at 14:20.
– VFA-BUQ Flight FN8112: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Victoria Falls at 14:50 and arriving in Bulawayo at 15:45.