National

‘Thieving’ Lupane man on the run after striking neighbours with an axe, iron bar

Published

2 years ago

November 24, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Lupane man is on the run after he struck a father and his son with an axe and iron bar after they confronted him for stealing their blankets and water buckets.

The accused, identified by police as Nkosilamandla Ncube from Dakiwe Village under Chief Mabhikwa allegedly struck with an axe Msongelwa Msimanga (56) on the head before attacking his son Walter Msimanga (32) with an iron bar twice on the head after they confronted him for stealing their property

He has been charged with attempted murder.

Police said on Monday at around 6pm, Walter arrived at his homestead from Plumtree and discovered that his twenty liter buckets, five blankets, one amplifier and a 650 watts solar battery were missing.

He then observed some shoe prints within his yard and went to inform his father, who is a neighborhood security officials and a manhunt was launched.

“On 22/11/22 at around 8pm, Walter Msimanga and Msongelwa Msimanga went to the accused person’s homestead and managed to locate him,” police said in a statement.

“Msongelwa then requested to search the accused person’s room and he was given the green light.

“During the search at around 8pm, the two found one of their three missing buckets and the accused immediately took an axe and stroke Msongelwa thrice on the head and he fell down before hitting Walter twice with an iron bar on the head and he managed to bolt out of the room to seek help.”

However, when some villagers came to the scene, the accused had already left his homestead, but they managed to assist the father who was lying on the ground profusely bleeding.

“Msongelwa sustained deep cuts on the head and a cut on his left ear and condition is critical,” police said.

“He is currently admitted at Saint Luke’s hospital and Walter sustained two deep cuts on the head and his condition is stable.”

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 weeks 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

2 months 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.