Police have refuted a viral video on social media alleging that community members stole potatoes from Strathmore Farm in Banket.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 1, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the farm is owned by Retired High Court Judge Vernanda Cecil Ziyambi and is currently leased to Jonathan Timothy Mackwade for potato farming.
According to Nyathi, preliminary investigations indicate that the farm manager authorised farm workers and locals to collect damaged potatoes from the harvested field the day after the harvesting was completed. He said:
<blockquote>
Reference is made to a video that has gone viral on social media platforms on allegations of theft of potatoes at Strathmore Farm, Banket.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses social media reports alleging that members of the community invaded the farm stealing potatoes.
The correct position is that the farm is owned by Retired High Court Judge Vernanda Cecil Ziyambi and is currently leased to Jonathan Timothy Mackwade for potato farming.
Preliminary investigations by the Police indicate that harvesting of potatoes began two weeks prior and ended on 23rd September 2024.
On 24th September 2024 the farm manager authorized farm workers and locals to pick damaged potatoes from the harvested field.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores the public to avoid spreading falsehoods regarding the incident.
</blockquote>
It remains unclear whether Ziyambi purchased the farm she is leasing to Mackwade or if it was granted to her for free by the government under the land reform programme.
Regardless, a troubling trend has emerged over the past two decades: some individuals who received farms at no cost lack the capacity to produce anything and subsequently lease the land to landless farmers.
Those politically connected to the ruling establishment acquired farms through the controversial land reform programme and profit from the rentals, while many passionate Zimbabweans who wish to farm remain without land and are being exploited by land barons.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Police say there was no potato theft at Ziyambi's farm. The farm is owned by Judge Ziyambi and leased to someone for potato farming. Workers were allowed to gather damaged potatoes after harvesting. The police want people to stop spreading lies about the incident. Some people who got free farms can't farm and lease the land. This makes it hard for other people who want to farm.

Police Dismiss False Reports Of Potato Theft At Ziyambi’s Farm

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with the theft of 21 cattle from Plot 21, Batch Farm in Banket on Thursday, August 22.
In a statement, the ZRP confirmed the incident, saying 9 of the stolen cattle had already been slaughtered when the suspects fled from the scene.
According to the police, 12 of the stolen cattle were recovered at a neighbouring farm, while the remaining 9 were found deboned on the scene.
The ZRP further revealed that during the investigation, they recovered 37 knives, heaps of steak meat, and 50 kg of empty bags at the crime scene.
The arrested suspect, Sauro Mudzimiri (32), has been taken into custody and is currently assisting the police with their investigations into the case. The ZRP said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is investigating a case of stock theft in which unknown suspects stole 21 cattle at Plot 21, Batch Farm, Banket on 22/08/24. Nine cattle were found deboned and 12 others were recovered at a neighbouring farm.
Meanwhile, 37 knives, heaps of stake meat, and 50 kg empty bags were recovered at the scene. Sauro Mudzimiri (32) has since been arrested in connection with the case.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A farmer in Banket lost 9 cattle to thieves. Police found 12 cattle on a neighbouring farm and 9 cattle deboned on the crime scene. They also recovered 37 knives, heaps of steak meat, and empty bags. A 32-year-old man, Sauro Mudzimiri, has been arrested for the theft and is helping with the investigation. The incident happened on August 22 at Plot 21, Batch Farm. The police are still looking into the case of the stolen cattle.

Banket Farmer Loses 9 Cattle To Thieves, Police Recover 37 Knives From Crime Scene

A 17-year-old boy has been mauled to death by dogs in Trelawney Village, 14 km south-west of Banket—a development which has left people in the area terrified, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a> can exclusively-reveal. 
The victim, Wilson Chengetai, was working as a cowboy at Rugezha residence, owned by one Derrick Rugezha, who has a breed of dogs numbering over 50.
On the fateful day (Tuesday), according to villagers, the late Wilson returned from his cowboy duties and decided to pick up a raincoat at Rugezha residence before walking home, since it was raining. 
Upon arrival, he was viciously attacked by dogs until he breathed his last.
Due to the attack, the boy’s face was disfigured and missing both eyes when his body was taken to Banket Hospital Mourtary, according to Banket Police sources.
A villager in the area who spoke to Pindula News and asked not to be named, said Rugezha spent the night with the boy’s body before calling the police the following morning. He said:
<blockquote>
As a community, we are still in shock. We all know that Rugezha’s dogs are dangerous. They have on several occasions killed goats in the area, but their owner says he is untouchable, hence we can’t do anything about it.
But for the dogs to then attack a human being and kill him, it’s something else. Also, Rugezha had the boy’s body in his house overnight before calling the police, which is shocking. But considering the way he boasts about having friends at Banket Police, I doubt if anything is done.
</blockquote>
The late Wilson’s aunt, who initially did not want to publicly comment on the issue, expressed shock on the manner in which Wilson lost his life.
<blockquote>
I’m his aunt. I have been taking care of him since his mother died in June last year. His father also died.
He has been working at the Rugezha residence for sometime. Mr Rugezha breeds all kinds of dogs, but I never expected this could happen.
In fact, I’m still not convinced on the explanation I was given with regards to circumstances leading to his death. The police just came and took the boy’s body without giving us any explanation, they just said we cannot view his body even before burial.
</blockquote>
Rugezha is said to be a menace in the Trelawney area, with some villagers saying he once beat-up an elderly man named Maundura Muchenje for trying to stand up for villagers.
Efforts to get a comment from Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesperson Paul Nyathi were not successful as his phone was not answered. 
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News </a>

Dogs Maul 17-year-old Boy To Death In Banket, Owner Terrorizing Villagers

A man who was travelling from Harare to Banket snatched a satchel containing US$65 000 from the boot of a car he was travelling in.
The driver had stopped at Banket Shopping Centre Bus Stop and the suspect took the opportunity to grab the bag and flee into the bush.
Police said the incident occurred on 29 January this year.
The alleged thief and his three accomplices have since been arrested and US$37 907 cash, plus a Mercedes Benz bought using part of the loot was recovered. Police said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms the arrest of Jey Mushati (33), Tongai Talent Mupatutsa (38), Osborne Mutemachani (40) and Tendai Kapita (37) in connection with the theft of US$65 000 cash on 29/01/22 at Banket Shopping Centre Bus Stop.
The complainant had offered a lift to Jey Mushati from Harare to Banket. After reaching his destination, Jey Mushati stole the money which was stashed in a bag in the boot of the complainant’s vehicle, before running away in the bush.
The other suspects chased Jey Mushati and connived to share the loot. The arrest led to the recovery of US$ 37 907 cash and a Mercedes Benz, registration number AFC 3071 which had been bought by Jey Mushati using the proceeds from the loot.
We continue to appeal to members of the public to desist from carrying large sums of money as they will likely fall prey to criminals.
</blockquote>

Passenger Steals US$65 000 And Flees Into The Bush

An 80-year-old security guard from Plumstead Farm, Banket, was on 19 August killed by a runaway veld fire and his corpse charred beyond recognition.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the now-deceased, Sakatiza Mariza, was on his way home from his workplace when he was burnt.
ZRP spokesperson Mashonaland West Province Inspector Margaret Chitove confirmed the incident to NewZimbabwe.com Monday. She said:
<blockquote>
The now deceased was on his way home from his workplace at St John’s Farm in Banket. As he approached Plumstead Farm, a veld fire quickly spread towards him and he was burnt beyond recognition while trying to run away.
</blockquote>
Later that day, Isiah Mutero of Plot 4 Plumstead Farm, who was driving through observed a human-like figure lying lifeless and stopped to investigate.
He noticed it was a male body burnt beyond recognition and alerted villagers at a nearby farm compound.
The victim’s 34-year-old son, Costa Mariza, rushed to the scene and positively identified his father’s remains
A half-burnt cellphone belonging to the deceased was found beside the corpse.
Police from Banket Police Station attended the scene and Mariza’s body was conveyed to Banket District Hospital for post-mortem.
Insp Chitove urged members of the public to desist from starting unnecessary fires and also to put fireguards around homesteads, fields and paddocks to avoid loss of lives and property.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/banket-man-80-killed-in-raging-veld-fire/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Security Guard (80) Killed By Wild Veldfire In Banket

There was chaos at a recent Zanu PF restructuring exercise in Banket after youths were angered by a response by a local councillor whom they had asked to help them get <a href="https://vacancymail.co.za/">jobs</a>.
NewZimbabwe reports that Youth league chairperson Steven Zidana charged at the district chairman, Never Hutepasi, who is also Ward 22 councillor, accusing him of behaving like opposition MDC.
The youths accused Hutepasi of being a thief and traitor on a mission to see the ruling party losing in the 2023 national elections.  
  
Zidana threatened to physically assault Hutepasi after the latter had indicated that was not able to get jobs for the youths in a construction company carrying out the government’s emergency road rehabilitation programme in Banket.
Hutepasi told the meeting that the contractor had been engaged by the central government and not by the local council, therefore, since he was a councillor he could not influence recruitment processes. Added Hutepasi: 
<blockquote>
We cannot force a private player to employ anyone, but we can only make requests if they have vacancies.
</blockquote>
Zidana then charged towards Hutepasi and started insulting him. Charged Zidana:
<blockquote>
You are very stupid! How can you bring the MDC way of doing things in Zanu PF? Do you want the party to lose elections? I personally will not allow you to do it, you are also a thief.
</blockquote>
Police officers arrived at the meeting and dispersed the gathering.
ZANU PF is currently carrying out its restructuring exercise that will see the party conducting district and provincial elections ahead of its annual congress to be held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province in October.
The impending internal polls have created serious divisions, infighting and factions within the governing party.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/violent-clashes-at-zanu-pf-meeting/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Chaos At ZANU PF Meeting As Youths Demand Jobs

About three hundred Banket families who were allocated land in 1999 at the height of the country’s chaotic Land Reform Programme are set to lose their sources of livelihood after suspected government officials took over their plots.
The affected families, most of them residents of the tiny Mashonaland West town, were using the peri-urban land for subsistence farming.
Following previous owner Tim Henwood’s eviction from Wigtown farm at the turn of the Millenium, hundreds of Zanu PF supporters were allocated plots averaging six hectares each for farming but were told not to build any structures.
Now, the plots have been invaded by civil servants, with some linked to the President’s department and the new occupants are already ploughing in readiness for the summer season.
One of the disenfranchised farmers, Charles Maremo of Plot 247, said the government must urgently intervene to resolve the matter. He said:
<blockquote>This is unacceptable, the government must come and address this because we suspect whoever was given the land and the giver acted corruptly.</blockquote>
Ward 23 councillor, Richard Muganhiri, said the plots were demarcated following an agreement between Banket Town Board and the Lands ministry.
He said the land remains council’s property and is reserved for town expansion.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/300-families-kicked-out-of-farm-in-banket/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

300 Plotholders Driven Out Of Farm In Banket

Chinhoyi magistrate Letwin Rwodzi ordered Zanu PF activists off a piece of land at Kia Ora Farm, in Banket.
In her ruling noted that the defendant Violet Chikochi was offered the land for agricultural purposes. Chikochi had supporting documents while the complainants, Zanu PF ward 23 councillor and Banket Town Board chairperson Richard Muganhiri and other residents did not have any right to the land because they were basing their claims on verbal agreements.
Muganhiri and other residents who hold various positions in the Zanu PF Chitepo district had taken Chikochi to court demanding that she be barred from carrying out farming activities at her plot. They claimed her plot belonged to Banket Town Council which had developed residential stands on it. The land dispute, which had gone for more than three years, saw Chikochi failing to farm with both sides taking turns destroying each other’s crops. The magistrate ordered the Zanu PF activists not to interfere with Chikochi’s activities.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/03/zanu-pf-activists-chucked-off-farm/">NewsDay</a>

Zanu-PF Activists Ordered Off Farm

The girls’ hostel at Banket Primary School was destroyed by a fire on Sunday night. The fire is suspected to have been started by an electrical fault and started at around 8 PM. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed in the fire as all the students made it out unscathed. The pupils were moved to Sinoia Primary School in Chinhoyi for overnight acaccommodationThe fire brigade in Chinhoyi was unable to respond to the fire and had to rely on the fire brigade from Harare.  Mashonaland West Education Provincial Director Sylvester Mashayamombe said:
<blockquote>We thank God that none of the students was injured or killed, when we arrived at the scene all the children had been evacuated from the hostel though most of them lost their valuables in the inferno obviously they could not run away with anything.
I thank the local people for calming the fire because there was no fire brigade I just saw a vehicle from banket which was said to be with a tanker, it also helped a lot in stopping the fire.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://hmetro.co.zw/fire-guts-boarding-school/">H-Metro</a>

Banket Latest News

Latest Jobs