National

Zimbabwean brutally killed by mob in South Africa

Published

3 years ago

April 7, 2022

JOHANNESBURG – South African Police minister Bheki Cele has dismissed claims that the interventions made to deal with crime in Diepsloot have failed – just a day since their implementation.

Cele, accompanied by national police commissioner Sehlahle Masemola, was in Diepsloot to visit the scene where a Zimbabwean man was killed in an apparent mob attack on Wednesday night.

The 43-year-old was reportedly pelted with stones and dragged onto Thubelihle Street in Extension 1 by a mob that demanded residents produce IDs and passports to prove they weren’t undocumented nationals.

Cele said more than 100 members of the special forces had been deployed to the crime ravaged area following violent community protests calling for better policing.

“The fact that there is somebody who died does not mean that the situation is out of control.

“We have deployments in this area, there are police and we have made more than 24 arrests,” he said.

While neighbours expressed fear and shock at the attack on Nyathi it has emerged that another man was assaulted by the same mob that murdered the father of four.

Standing near the bloodstained ground where the second victim was beaten, neighbour Eclick Mphalle said she feared for her life.

“They must send _amaberethe _to protect and guard us 24/7 because we aren’t safe here – we don’t sleep.”

With extra boots on the ground residents said they still feared for their lives.

They said police had failed to prevent or even stop crime in the area but Cele disagreed, saying, “I hear some people saying there were no police but 24 people were arrested here.

“Now, I don’t know who arrested them if there were no police.”

Masemola confirmed that no arrests had been made in connection with the murder.

“Police were not phoned to come out, police were patrolling, they came across this group of people. You see the area yourself. If someone runs away, police couldn’t find them.”

Cele would return to the township on Friday when he is expected to give feedback on more permanent solutions to the situation in the area but this has brought little comfort for the community.- Eyewitness News

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National

Cyclone Chido moves away from Zimbabwe

Published

4 days ago

December 16, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

According to the latest updates from the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique, approximately 35-40km south of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado Province.

The intense tropical cyclone brought heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds of up to 220km/h, causing widespread destruction in Mozambique. The system is expected to continue tracking west-southwest towards Malawi, steadily dissipating.

Zimbabwe, which was initially predicted to be in the cyclone’s path, has been spared the worst of the storm.

However, neighboring countries, including Malawi, are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 72 hours.

The SHOC has issued a multi-hazard impact-based classification, warning of expected impacts, including strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, in Mozambique, Malawi, and other parts of the region.

Member states have been urged to closely monitor official weather updates, intensify public awareness campaigns, and preposition relief supplies to enable a swift response to the cyclone’s impact.

National

Senate passes death penalty abolition bill

Published

7 days ago

December 13, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwe Senate has passed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, paving the way for the country to join the growing list of nations that have abolished capital punishment.

The bill, which has already been approved by the National Assembly, will now be sent to the President for assent and subsequent publication in the Gazette as an Act.

The country has 62 convicted prisoners facing the death penalty.

Veritas has congratulated the Senators, Members of the National Assembly, the President, and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for their role in facilitating the bill’s passage through Parliament.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, defended the bill in the Senate, citing studies that show the death penalty has failed to deter crime.

He emphasized that the actual number of murders remained the same despite the death penalty’s existence, questioning its effectiveness as a deterrent.

Ziyambi also highlighted the bill’s potential to address the root causes of crime, which he believes the death penalty does not tackle. He pointed out the bias of the death penalty against poverty-stricken people, stating that history shows the majority of those executed are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Zimbabwe has been on a de facto moratorium on executions for about 17 years, with the last execution conducted in 2005.

National

Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, government issues warning

Published

7 days ago

December 13, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A powerful tropical cyclone named Chido is moving menacingly towards Zimbabwe, prompting the government to issue a warning and advise residents to take necessary precautions.

According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Cyclone Chido has intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and is likely to affect Zimbabwe on December 17.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds to several provinces, including Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and West, Harare Metropolitan, and parts of Midlands and Mashonaland West.

The MSD has warned of heavy rainfall exceeding 70mm in 24 hours in some areas, which could lead to floods, rockfalls, and mudflows.

Residents have been advised to plan evacuation mechanisms, avoid open spaces, secure their homes from damaging winds, and stay informed through authentic updates from the MSD and the Department of Civil Protection (DCP).

The government has assured citizens that it is taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. The DCP is on high alert, and emergency services are ready to respond to any situations that may arise.

As Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, residents are advised to remain calm but vigilant. The government’s warning and advisory come as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and minimize damage.

Stay tuned for further updates on Cyclone Chido and its impact on Zimbabwe.