BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A historic installation ceremony is set to take place on Friday, as Silibaziso Mlotshwa, daughter of the late Chief Mvuthu, Nyangayezizwe Mlotshwa, is scheduled to take over as the new chief.

The installation comes after a prolonged dispute over the chieftaincy, which had been held up since Chief Mvuthu’s passing in 2014.

According to Paulos Ntini, the Prosecutor General at the Mvuthu’s monarchy, preparations for the ceremony are underway. “Preparations are going on well. So far, the road has been graveled to the homestead, and on Thursday, all the village heads, including myself, will be collecting gifts from the villagers for the ceremony,” he said.

The late Chief Mvuthu’s family had initially nominated his brother, Sanders Mlotshwa, as the successor in December 2014. However, Silibaziso challenged this decision in court, arguing that she was the rightful heir to the throne.

The dispute had resulted in Headman Bishop Matata Sibanda acting as the chief until now.

Chief Mvuthu was a respected traditional leader in Matabeleland North and chaired the Hwange Community Share Ownership Scheme. He was also a retiree of Hwange Colliery Company, having left his job in 2008 to take over the chieftaincy.

BY STAFF REPORTER 

Hwange Colliery Company Limited has announced that its Alcohol Monitoring Program will officially resume on Wednesday, across all areas.

According to a memo , the program is a critical part of the company’s commitment to safety, health, and productivity. It is implemented in line with the company’s workplace policies and legal obligations.

The memo stated that ensuring a substance-free work environment, especially in high-risk areas, is essential to the wellbeing of all employees and the overall performance of the organization.

All employees are expected to comply fully with the requirements of the program. Testing will be conducted randomly and routinely as stipulated in the Alcohol & Drug Monitoring Procedure (SHEQP 2.09).

The memo also warned that appropriate disciplinary procedures will apply in cases of non-compliance or policy violation.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A tragic incident occurred in Hwange on Thursday morning when a man was trampled to death by a rampaging elephant bull while on his way to work.

The victim, identified as John Munzabwa of Lusumbani Village (Number Five), was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Fidelis Chima, chairman of the Greater Hwange Residents Association, the incident occurred around 6:00 AM when Munzabwa was walking to relieve his colleague at the open cast mine. “The deceased person was actually walking to work early in the morning… when he was charged by an elephant that had a baby,” Chima explained.

Chima confirmed that the open cast mine is located in an urban area, close to Lusumbani Number Five, and is within walking distance for many residents.

“Usually, workers who reside at Number Five walk to work, especially when there’s no transport,” he said.

The incident has raised concerns among the community about the increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts in the area. “There’s now an increased number of people dying not only due to elephants but also crocodiles and other animals,” Chima noted.

The community attributes the rising conflicts to the increased mining activities in the area, which are disturbing the natural corridors of wildlife.

Chima says the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for coexistence between humans and wildlife, and the importance of finding solutions to mitigate these conflicts.