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Victoria Falls smuggler wants ivory possession charges dropped

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Victoria Falls magistrate will next week rule whether the trial of a convicted smuggler on fresh charges of stashing three pieces of ivory in his car two years should proceed after he argued that testimonies by key witnesses show he was framed.

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Stanley Takavada (46), from Mkhosana suburb was in 2019 convicted for possession of smuggled goods after he was caught at a police roadblock along the Kazungula-Victoria Falls road.

Takavada, whose car was forfeited to the state after his conviction, was re-arrested on fresh charges of possession of ivory without a permit.

Jephat Siziba from Beitbridge bought Takavada’s former car through a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) public auction held at the Victoria Falls border and claimed that he found three elephant tusks stashed in the vehicle’s boot.

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The smuggler’s fresh trial opened on April 5, 2022 before Victoria Falls magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa.

On Tuesday, Takavada through her lawyer Charity Mandeya from Mhaka Attorneys applied for the case to be dropped, saying it had become apparent that he was framed.

Mandeya said testimonies from the two main witnesses namely Siziba and the investigations officer Tinashe Mbongoro, who contradicted each other showed that a trap had been set for her client.

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Siziba said Takavada knew about the tusks as he called him on several occasions trying to discourage him from bidding for his car at the auction.

He said the accused also indicated that he wanted to collect his wheel spanners from the boot of the car.

On the other hand Mbongoro, who was part of the police team that arrested Takavada, said they had warned Siziba that he would be arrested if he did not lead them to the owner of the ivory.

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“Siziba then called the accused to come and collect his spanners and when he arrived at the scene, he went straight to the white sack which had two tusks and we immediately arrested him because we felt that was enough evidence to arrest him,” Mbongoro said.

“We had told the informant that if he had failed to bring the owner of those tusks, we were going to arrest him.”

Mandeya said Siziba and Mbongoro’s accounts showed that Takavada had been trapped.

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“Japhet Siziba told the court that the police told him that if he failed to find the owner of the ivory he would be in hot soup,” she said.

“He denied having called the accused.

“However, upon being shown printed his Econet call history, it instead showed that he was the one who had called the accused

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“His story is a clear fabrication.”

During cross examination Mbongoro admitted that they did not wait for Takavada to check what was inside the sack or to reach out to the third tusk which was under the seat before arresting him.

“The state case shows the highest level of fabrication,” Mandeya added.

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“No extra crucial statements were recorded (and) no confirmations were done.

“In fact, the state’s evidence is grossly unreasonable (and) unreliable such that no reasonable court can act upon it.”

Prosecutor Audrey Mukanganya had told the court that on June 10, 2019 at around 3 PM, Takavada was driving a Toyota Gaia when he was arrested for carrying smuggled and restricted goods that he had brought into the country from Zambia through the Kazungula border post, leading to the seizure of his car.

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The accused was convicted and jailed.

In October last year Siziba bought the car at the Zimra auction but could not immediately drive it as it had flat tyres and other faults.

He took it to a backyard garage to have it fixed. Mukanganya said when Siziba opened the spare wheel compartment, he discovered a white sack containing two elephant tusks wrapped with a black jacked and filed a police report on the same day.

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Takavada was arrested the following day as he tried to collect the elephant tusks after a trap was laid by detectives.

 

 

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National

Migration on the rise: Matabeleland North tops outbound movement in latest ZimLAC report

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINK

Matabeleland North has recorded some of the highest levels of migration in Zimbabwe, with 12.6% of households moving to urban areas and 7.8% leaving the country, according to the 2024–2025 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report.

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The figures highlight a growing trend in which families are uprooting in search of work, education, and better living conditions, with the province’s migration rate well above the national averages of 9.9% for rural-to-urban moves and 5.0% for emigration.

For many in Matabeleland North, economic necessity drives these decisions.

“I had to send my son to Bulawayo because there was simply no work here,” said Thabani Ncube, a smallholder farmer in Lupane. “Even piece jobs have dried up. At least in town, he can hustle and maybe support the family.”

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The ZimLAC report shows that employment opportunities are the leading reason behind rural-to-urban migration nationally (6.3%). In Matabeleland North, 7.7% cited education as the next big pull factor, followed by new residential land and improved living standards.

Experts warn that while migration can bring relief through remittances, it also risks hollowing out rural communities.

“This trend is a double-edged sword,” explained Dr. Nomalanga Sibanda, a livelihoods researcher in Bulawayo. “Families may benefit from remittances, but local economies lose critical labour and skills. Over time, this weakens resilience in rural districts.”

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Other Provinces: Contrasting Patterns

Matabeleland South recorded the highest rate of emigration, with 13.5% of households reporting that members had left the country — nearly triple the national average. Masvingo followed closely, with 16.5% moving to towns and 7.7% leaving for the diaspora.

Meanwhile, Mashonaland Central had the lowest levels of outward movement, with just 4.4% moving to towns and 1.0% emigrating.

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Midlands also stood out, with 12.9% shifting to urban areas and 6.2% relocating abroad, driven mainly by job opportunities and schooling.

National Picture

Across Zimbabwe, nearly one in ten households (9.9%) reported rural-to-urban migration, while 5% indicated emigration outside the country. Employment, education, and improved living standards remain the strongest motivators.

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For ordinary families, the story is about survival and hope.

“My husband left for South Africa last year,” said Memory Dube of Gwanda, Matabeleland South. “He sends money when he can, but life is tough there too. Still, we rely on that income to buy food and pay school fees.”

ZimLAC, which advises the government through the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC), says the data will guide evidence-based interventions. The report stresses that migration trends are not just statistics, but reflect deeper issues of economic opportunity, resilience, and service delivery across provinces.

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Matabeleland North tops in open defecation as sanitation gaps persist

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The latest 2025 Rural Livelihoods Assessment by the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) has revealed that Matabeleland North province has the highest proportion of households practising open defecation in the country, underscoring deep-rooted poverty and infrastructure challenges in rural communities.

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According to the report, Binga district leads with a staggering 80.1% of households without toilets, followed by Tsholotsho at 56.5%. Kariba (50.8%) and Mwenezi (49.4%) also recorded alarming levels of open defecation.

Nationally, there has been modest progress. The proportion of households with basic sanitation services increased slightly from 51% in 2020 to 55% in 2025. At the same time, open defecation declined from 29% in 2020 to 24% in 2025.

While these statistics point to progress at a national level, the reality in provinces like Matabeleland North paints a starkly different picture. Communities continue to struggle with extreme poverty, limited resources, and inadequate support to build or maintain proper sanitation facilities.

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ZimLAC noted that the findings are critical for shaping livelihoods policies and targeting interventions where they are most needed. The report emphasized that tackling inequalities in rural sanitation remains central to advancing Zimbabwe’s development goals.

Community Voices: Life Without Toilets in Matabeleland North

In Binga, where most households lack toilets, villagers say poverty is at the heart of the crisis:

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“We want toilets, but we cannot afford cement or bricks,” said 64-year-old grandmother from Sidinda. “Even when NGOs come, they only build for a few households. The rest of us dig shallow pits which collapse in the rains. That’s why many people just go to the bush.”

In Tsholotsho, young people express frustration over promises that never materialize:

“We were told about sanitation projects, but they stopped halfway. People survive by selling firewood; where will they get money for toilets?” asked Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu, a 22-year-old.

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For families living along the Zambezi in Binga, land conditions add another challenge:

“The soil is sandy and unstable. Even if we dig, the pit does not last long. Poverty makes it worse, because we cannot reinforce the toilets like people in towns,”another villager explained.

In Nkayi, the harsh climate compounds the problem:

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“We focus on finding food and water first. A toilet is a luxury for many families here,” said Joseph Moyo, a farmer battling drought conditions.

Despite the struggles, communities across Matabeleland North expressed a strong desire for better sanitation, linking the lack of toilets to health risks, dignity, and children’s wellbeing.

As ZimLAC’s findings show, progress is possible — but without targeted support in the hardest-hit areas, open defecation will remain entrenched in Zimbabwe’s rural poverty landscape.

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Zimbabwe selected for groundbreaking HIV prevention initiative

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has announced an exciting development in the fight against HIV: Zimbabwe has been selected as one of the ten countries globally to roll out lenacapavir, a breakthrough in HIV prevention.

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“Yes Zimbabwe, it’s happening!” the embassy declared, highlighting the significance of this initiative.

“For decades, we’ve fought to turn the tide against this epidemic, and each day we get closer,” the statement continued. This new treatment represents a pivotal moment in HIV prevention efforts, as it is the first twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine.

The implementation of lenacapavir is made possible through a partnership with U.S.-based Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund. A key finding from a large-scale clinical trial shows that more than 99% of people on lenacapavir remained HIV negative. While this has the potential to save millions of lives, the Embassy emphasized that for Zimbabwe, it represents a major step toward ending new infections.

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“But this is more than medicine—it advances us on a pathway to a safer, stronger, and healthier future!” noted the embassy’s announcement.

The initiative particularly focuses on pregnant and breastfeeding women, aiming to protect the next generation. It will also work toward strengthening healthcare systems, empowering Zimbabwe to lead its own fight against HIV. Moreover, the goal of making lenacapavir more affordable and accessible ensures that no one is left behind.

The embassy highlighted, “This is American leadership at its best: driving innovation, and building a world where children, mothers, and communities can thrive.”

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As this initiative rolls out, the message is clear: “Together, we’re not just fighting HIV—we’re winning.”

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