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Suspect Victoria Falls poacher ‘badly tortured’

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Victoria Falls man, who was allegedly caught trying to sell raw ivory, was severely tortured by police and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers while in custody, a court has been told.

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Victoria Falls resident magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa on Monday ordered the clerk of court to facilitate urgent medical treatment for Leonard Ndebele (33) after he appeared in court with a badly swollen face.

Maphosa said Ndebele (33) must be referred to Victoria Falls Hospital before his plea after she saw his facial injuries.

Prosecutors said on February 21 at around 6PM and along the Kazungula Road near Victoria Falls Primary School, the suspect was found in possession of two elephant tusks “which he was intending to sell without permit.”

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The state said when the investigations have been completed, evidence will be led from witnesses who arrested Ndeble while trying to sell the ivory to a man identified in court papers as Stanley Mhaka.

Ndebele’s lawyer Nomusa Khumalo of Mvhiringi and Associates Legal Practitioners said their client sustained life-threatening body and facial injuries

“The right eye has visible injury that can be observed by the court,” Maphosa wrote in her order to the clerk of court.

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“State is to investigate the alleged assault and give feedback on the next remand date.”

Ndebele will appear in court again on March 9 for further remand.

Police argued that the suspect should not be given bail as he was convicted on three occasions for theft in Botswana and had other pending cases before the courts.

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Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

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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.

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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.

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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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