National

Victoria Falls smuggler wants ivory possession charges dropped

Published

3 years ago

June 8, 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“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

“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.

“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.

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.

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

National

Chidzivo, Waison take top honors at Vic Falls Marathon

Published

16 hours ago

July 7, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.

Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on

The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.

Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.

Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.

Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.

The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.

Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.

Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46

Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 months 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

4 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.