A villager from Mtetengwe, Beitbridge, has been fined three goats after a traditional court found her guilty of speaking to the regional newspaper <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200034569/villager-fined-3-goats-for-speaking-to-the-media">Southern Eye</a> and reporting what she perceived as extortionist behaviour by a village head.
Efa Sebata, of Tshamunanga village, was ordered to pay one goat to Headman Mabhidhi, another to complainant village head Edna Tshidixwa, and a third to the community.
She had already been fined two goats and two chickens for allegedly disrespecting Tshidixwa during a gathering where villagers received instructions on rearing day-old chicks distributed by ZANU PF.
Sebata believes she was denied justice and claims that a total abuse of power and corruption is at play in her case. She said:
<blockquote>
I was not given time to explain my case by Headman Mabhidhi. I found it strange that I had a misunderstanding with Tshidixwa who became the complainant, judge and jury and went on to preside over a case she was the complainant.
We were at a workshop, where ZANU PF officials from Harare educated villagers on how to care for broiler chickens.
I was knowledgeable and they suggested making me their point person from where chick distributions would be done. The kraal head was not amused and blocked the idea.
</blockquote>
Sebata questioned Tshidixwa after a meeting, asking why she was blocked, which led to Tshidixwa threatening to make her pay a goat.
A few days later, Sebata was summoned to Tshidixwa’s homestead for a hearing.
Tshidixwa, presiding over the matter with her family members, ordered Sebata to pay two goats and two chickens.
Tshidixwa’s brother subsequently took two chickens from Sebata’s fowl run, instructing her to bring the goats later.
Dissatisfied with the situation, Sebata sought advice from other villagers, who recommended that she contact NewsDay, which in turn referred her to the police.
Sebata was later called to headman Mabhidhi’s court, where she was charged for speaking to the media and reporting to the police.
The villagers are baffled by what they perceive as gross abuse of power by traditional leaders, accusing them of enriching themselves through dubious trials and convictions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A woman in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe was fined three goats for talking to the media about corruption. She had already been fined two goats and two chickens before for disrespecting a village head. She believes the traditional court did not give her a fair chance to explain herself. The woman was threatened by the village head after questioning her about being blocked from a job. When she sought advice from other villagers and the media, she was fined even more. The villagers are upset at what they see as unfair treatment by traditional leaders.

Beitbridge Villager Fined 3 Goats For Speaking To The Media

A Chinese company, Prestige Massive (Pvt) Limited, is in the process of constructing a 1,200 MW coal-fired power and chrome smelting plant in Beitbridge.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200029934/beitbridges-mega-power-station-takes-shape">NewsDay</a>, the project is progressing, with abnormal load haulage delivery trucks bringing in equipment from various seaports to the plant site. At least 300 local villagers are currently employed at the ongoing construction site.
The power plant was only publicly discussed two weeks ago at the Matabeleland South Diaspora Conference in Beitbridge.
The power generated from this plant will be fed by Tuli Coal, a mine located approximately 20 kilometres west of Beitbridge, as well as potentially powering other factories that may be established within the designated special economic zone.
According to a report by Global Energy Monitor, the plans for this power and smelting plant were first made public in November 2023, when a proposal to construct, own and operate the facility at the River Ranch area just outside Beitbridge town was advertised. Part of the report reads:
<blockquote>
All electricity generated would be supplied to a chrome smelting plant belonging to Xintai Resources, which was proposing a special economic zone in Beitbridge.
Prestige had applied for an electricity generation license with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority.
</blockquote>
A government official speaking to NewsDay on condition of anonymity said a significant amount of funding is being channelled into the project. Said the official:
<blockquote>
There is towering infrastructure now seen from a long distance; there is activity on a huge scale. And just recently, there were interviews for skilled posts attended by about 70 hopefuls.
Locals from Beitbridge have been engaged as unskilled labour joining many Chinese nationals on site. There is remarkable activity.
The resuscitation of the [Tuli] coal mine will not be a stand-alone project and so it will feed and power the thermal plant as the second stage with the establishment of the smelting plant becoming the third stage.
What is under construction now is the thermal plant and huge installations, I believe are coolers, are in place.
From the information at hand, there will be ferrochrome and steel production with raw material sourced from mines in Mberengwa, Gwanda and other nearby mines.
</blockquote>
Beitbridge town clerk Loud Ramakgapola said the project will bring development in the commercial, retail, and residential sectors in the town.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A company from China is building a big power plant in Beitbridge that will use coal. They are also planning to smelt chrome. The project is moving forward, with trucks bringing in equipment and locals working there. The power plant will get coal from a nearby mine. The electricity generated will be used for a chrome smelting plant belonging to Xintai Resources. This project will bring development to Beitbridge, creating jobs and improving the town. The project is divided into different stages, with the thermal plant as the first stage. Overall, this project will bring growth and progress to the area.

Mega Coal-fired Power Station Takes Shape In Beitbridge

Three police officers stationed at the Chitulipasi Police Post in Beitbridge East allegedly raped an 18-year-old woman on separate occasions.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/three-cops-rape-workmates-visitor/">The Herald</a>, the young woman had visited her aunt at the police station in June 2024 when she was attacked.
The three cops, Jabulani Museba (33), Courage Majoni (32) and Enock Nyamupandu (35), appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate, Innocent Bepura on Tuesday, 09 July.
The magistrate remanded in custody to July 23 for a possible trial.
The police officers are being represented by Muchiwande Sithole of Chauke and Associates.
The prosecutor, Tsitsi Mutukwa told the court that the complainant arrived at the police station to visit her aunt in June.
It is alleged that on June 5 at around 6 PM, the complainant was taking a bath in one of the bathrooms when Museba allegedly sneaked in, grabbed her from behind, covered her mouth, and pushed her to the ground.
Museba, who was reportedly armed with a rifle, threatened to shoot her if she reported the incident to her aunt. After the assault, the complainant went home without disclosing the matter to anyone.
The court heard that on June 8 at around 6 PM, the complainant was bathing in the same bathroom when Majoni sneaked in, grabbed her by the neck and covered her mouth using his other hand. He threatened to kill her and raped her once.
On June 13 at around 2 PM, the court heard, the complainant was alone at home when Nyamupandu called her to collect some plates.
It is alleged that when the complainant entered the room, she found Nyamupandu alone and he immediately closed the door.
Nyamupandu allegedly took a kitchen knife, pushed the complainant to the ground, removed her clothes and raped her once. 
He threatened to kill the complainant if she ever told anyone about the incident.
The court heard testimony that when the three police officers sexually assaulted the woman, they all used condoms during the attacks.
However, it remains unclear whether the officers had coordinated or shared information about their intentions to rape the victim before the incidents.
The alleged sexual abuse came to light on June 29th when the complainant disclosed her ordeal to her mother upon returning to Bulawayo.
The complainant’s mother then accompanied her to the ZRP Western Commonage police station, where they filed an official report.
This subsequently led to the arrest of the three police officers over the weekend.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Three police officers raped an 18-year-old woman who had visited her aunt at their police station. The officers are Jabulani Museba, Courage Majoni, and Enock Nyamupandu. The woman was attacked on separate occasions in the bathroom by each officer. They threatened her not to tell anyone and used condoms during the attacks. The woman told her mother about the abuse, leading to the officers' arrest. The officers are now in custody waiting for trial on July 23. The woman's mother reported the assaults at the police station.

Three Police Officers Rape Woman Who Had Visited Their Workmate

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers on Monday shot and killed two elephants that had strayed on a council farm along the Limpopo River in Beitbridge.
Authorities expressed concern that the elephants had wandered too close to the populated town, posing a significant risk to residents.
In January 2024, farmers at the Khwalu irrigation scheme in Ward 11 of Beitbridge District were left counting their losses after a herd of elephants destroyed their valuable maize crop.
In a tragic incident a few months prior, a six-year-old boy from Tshitulipasi and a 58-year-old woman from the nearby Lukange area were attacked and killed by elephants in the district.
Beitbridge town clerk, Loud Ramakgapola, told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/spectacle-as-stray-jumbos-gunned-down-in-beitbridge/">Chronicle</a> that they notified ZimParks after the elephants had been encamped at the farm for three months. He said:
<blockquote>
We have bana grass that we have planted at our farm hence, usually, these elephants would come and go until now when they decided to camp, posing a threat to our farm workers.
We have about 15 workers staying at the farm compound and we felt their lives were under threat from these animals, which is why we had to engage ZimParks. They shot two of them and one of them managed to escape.
</blockquote>
ZimParks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident, saying the two elephants were killed near the town council’s peri-urban farm. Said Farawo:
<blockquote>
When human and wildlife conflict arises and the lives of humans are at risk, we are duty-bound to act and hence we shot and killed the two elephants.
They had become problem animals in the town, especially around the Beitbridge Municipality farm.
</blockquote>
Farawo urged people to report problem animals as soon as possible.
A Beitbridge resident, Kudakwashe Chasauka who arrived at the scene soon after the elephants were killed said:
<blockquote>
We should leave space for our wildlife so that we can peacefully co-exist. Elephants can cause significant damage to houses and property.
These are wild animals and therefore unpredictable when they encounter people.
</blockquote>
Chasauka implored ZimParks to conduct awareness campaigns to reduce cases of human-wildlife conflict.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZimParks Rangers Shoot Two Stray Elephants In Beitbridge

Henry Kudakwashe Phiri, a 22-year-old man from Beitbridge, Matabeleland South Province, has been brought before the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on charges of attempted murder.
The allegations are that on May 28, 2024, at around 4 PM, the 4-year-old complainant was playing with Phiri’s niece at his residence.
It is claimed that Phiri harboured a long-standing hatred for the complainant due to a history of bad blood between their families, and did not appreciate the child’s frequent visits to their home.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Phiri’s animosity towards the minor led him to hatch a plan.
He allegedly gave the 4-year-old girl a poisonous pill and a bottle of water, instructing her to swallow it.
After doing so, the young girl began vomiting and informed her mother, who immediately took her to Beitbridge Hospital.
Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of organophosphate poisoning in the pill.
Phiri was arrested and subsequently convicted by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on the charge of attempted murder.
He was sentenced to 6 years in prison, with 1 year of the sentence suspended for 5 years.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Beitbridge Man Jailed 5 Years For Poisoning The Child Of A Neighbour He Hated

Within the multi-million-dollar civil servants complex in Beitbridge, at least eight police officers, including a Superintendent, currently reside in darkness due to their employer’s failure to pay electricity connection fees for their allocated pool houses.
It is alleged that some officers at the head office want the affected officers to pay some bribes to have the US$450 connection fees for each housing unit disbursed to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024806/officers-in-darkness-as-police-fail-to-pay-zesa-connection-fees">NewsDay</a> that the situation was not confined to the police housing units alone but the entire complex. He said:
<blockquote>
It is not affecting ZRP houses alone but it’s affecting all departments.
The situation is being looked into by the government and will be normalised soon.
</blockquote>
However, according to NewsDay sources, all other departments allocated houses within the gated modern complex—constructed as part of Beitbridge’s redevelopment project, including the border post upgrade—now have electricity.
This improvement came after their respective departments settled the outstanding connection fees. Said the source:
<blockquote>
It is only the police who have not paid for the connection since we were removed from the dromedary bulk to individual unit meters. Their houses are dark and without electricity.
</blockquote>
The complex is located at the foot of Maware Hills, otherwise known as Woman’s Breast Hills.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police Officers In Darkness As ZRP Fails To Pay ZESA Connection Fees

A 24-year-old man from Beitbridge was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Magistrates’ Court in Beitbridge yesterday, March 20, after he was found guilty of raping his neighbour’s 5-year-old daughter.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) on the 23rd of December 2023, the girl’s mother left her in the custody of the accused person’s wife, for a couple of days as she had to go to work out of town. 
The accused person got home around midnight on the same night and found the complainant sleeping on the same bed as his wife. 
The court heard that the accused sneaked into the blankets and raped the complainant. She cried out in pain and tried to wake up the accused person’s wife. 
The accused person’s wife said she heard the complainant crying but could not react as she was too drunk. 
On the 25th of December, the accused person bought the complainant some mangoes in an attempt to buy her silence. 
He instructed her to shift the blame onto the other kids who she plays with, in case anyone asked her anything about the incident.
The morning after the incident the complainant showed the accused person’s wife her bruised privates saying, “ndasvuuka”. 
The accused person’s wife also noted some discharge while she was bathing the complainant but never asked the girl what had happened. 
When the complainant’s mother returned on the 28th of December 2023 she noticed that the complainant had bruises on her thighs and privates but also she did not inquire as to what had happened.
The matter only came to light when the girl narrated her ordeal to her aunt who encouraged the complainant’s mother to report the matter to the police. The accused person was eventually arrested.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Man Rapes Neighbour's Daughter While Drunk Wife Sleeps On Same Bed

Zimbabwe and South Africa on Thursday, 14 March, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at addressing water scarcity in Musina.
The agreement focuses on water supply from Beitbridge—a town in Zimbabwe—to Musina, a neighbouring town in South Africa.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zimbabwe-and-south-africa-sign-mou-on-treated-water-supply-to-musina/">ZimLive</a>, the MoU was formalised between Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, and South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu.
The MoU allows for the transfer of approximately 15 million cubic meters of treated water per day from the Beitbridge water treatment works in Zimbabwe to Musina in South Africa. This will be facilitated through a 20-kilometer pipeline.
Musina, with an estimated population of 132,000 residing in 192 villages, faces challenges due to limited water sources. Currently, the town relies on borehole water.
South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation stated that the deal would significantly augment the water supply in Musina.
The freshwater from Beitbridge WTW will help alleviate water shortages in the town.
The Beitbridge Water Treatment Plant can produce 35 million cubic meters per annum (96 Ml/day). However, this capacity is currently not fully utilized within Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa are all members of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission, an organization established to manage shared water resources among these four countries.
This collaborative effort aims to address water security challenges and enhance cooperation in managing vital water resources across borders.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe And South Africa Sign Water Supply Agreement

Four people, among them a pregnant woman from Gwanda, died of cholera early this month at a religious shrine in Beitbridge.
The pregnant woman, who had contracted the disease, went to the shrine to seek help after refusing to be assisted by health officials due to religious beliefs.
According to the Gwanda district cholera situational report released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) on 13 January, the deceased, including the pregnant woman, were apostolic sect members.
The pregnant woman reportedly complained of a headache and nausea on 29 December 2023 and assumed she was having labour pains. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200022101/cholera-kills-4-at-apostolic-sect-shrine">Read the report</a>:
<blockquote>
She was taken to a religious shrine in the Beitbridge District in the Mazunga area for assistance in delivery.
While she was there, the birth attendant and custodian of the shrine contracted cholera along with 12 other family members and neighbours. The birth attendant and two males died.
The Beitbridge MoHCC rapid response team (RRT) attended to the outbreak on January 1 and carried out contact tracing and treatment of symptomatic contacts found.
The deceased was initially hidden from the RRT by family members and later identified by other community members. The deceased refused medical attention from the RRT members.
The family then tried to shift her to another religious shrine in the Mberengwa Masase area, however, she died along the way on January 2.
Her death was reported to the police and was placed at the Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem.
</blockquote>
The family, however, did not disclose that the deceased was a contact of a confirmed cholera death.
On 09 January, the body of the deceased was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem and buried on the same day at Jonclyn Resettlement.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Four People Succumb To Cholera At An Apostolic Sect Shrine

Some members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, are accused of stealing a document that implicates their colleagues in car smuggling. The document is a fraudulent vehicle clearance certificate allegedly issued by detectives Tererayi Silindeni and Munyaradzi Moyo. It is believed that Silindeni and Moyo collaborated with Detective Joseph Mosi to facilitate the clearance of a Toyota Wish car purchased in South Africa into Zimbabwe.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and stated that the police are investigating the case. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
We are investigating that case which may have occurred at Beitbridge. Criminal and disciplinary charges have been made to those three. We want to state there is no room for criminality in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). All the facts in your media inquiry are correct and more arrests are possible.
</blockquote>
According to court papers, the fraudulent clearance certificate was issued to Julian Morris Ndou without properly inspecting the car, claiming it was a Toyota Hiace. Ndou used the fake documents to buy a Toyota Wish vehicle in South Africa and then drove it to Zimbabwe with Rodywin Gweshero and Tirawe Chiwara. They attempted to avoid paying duty by making it appear as if the vehicle had left the country previously.
During their journey, a police officer at a checkpoint became suspicious when he noticed a third number plate attached to the car with tape. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the vehicle had been smuggled, leading to the arrest of Gweshero and Chiwara. They implicated the detectives, resulting in their subsequent arrest.
However, when Silindeni, Moyo, and Mosi appeared in court, the vehicle clearance document that linked the first two detectives went missing. The three detectives were granted bail, while Gweshero and Chiwara paid bail as well.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Detectives Steal Proof That Linked Colleagues To A Car Smuggling Saga

Beitbridge municipality has pledged to provide land for the construction of police bases in its fast-growing residential suburbs.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200021375/beitbridge-offers-land-for-police-bases">Southern Eye</a>, Beitbridge Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola said that this was part of the local authority’s contribution towards fighting crime in the border town. Said Ramakgapola:
<blockquote>
We will provide land and even contribute towards the building of those bases.
We are at the moment discussing with our stakeholders what contribution they can make towards this noble cause.
We should have proper bases complete with ablution facilities. We plan to have bases with at least five rooms and we appeal to willing community members to donate towards this cause.
It should be the concern of any local authority when its residents fall prey to crime and we have noted with concern several incidents of armed robberies in Kwalu suburb and other areas.
If we have bases there, it will have an impact on police presence and patrols.
</blockquote>
Armed robbers have reportedly been terrorising residents of Kwalu suburb, also known as SDP.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) last week said resource constraints were hampering efforts to combat runaway crime.
Police blamed darkness for the high crime rate in Kwalu as the area is not connected to the electricity grid.
In October 2023, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe expressed concern over the lack of adequate resources for the ZRP.
Essential resources that were said to be in short supply include vehicles which are crucial for patrolling, responding to emergencies, and maintaining law and order, fuel, and proper equipment, communication devices, and protective gear which are vital for effective policing
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Beitbridge Municipality Offers Land For Police Bases

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is currently investigating a murder case involving a local businessman named Chomwenye Zhou. According to the police, Zhou was attacked by four individuals at Village 3 Gadzika, Mazetese on October 10, 2023.
The suspects, identified as Ishewatida Dube, Ishewatipa Dube, Shakemore Dube, and an unidentified person, took turns stabbing Zhou with sharp objects. The incident occurred after Zhou had allegedly assaulted Ishewatida Dube who had assaulted Zhou’s employee following a dispute. Read the police report:
<blockquote>
Police in Mwenezi are investigating a case of murder which occurred on 10/10/23 at Village 3 Gadzika, Mazetese. Three brothers, Ishewatida Dube, Ishewatipa Dube and Shakemore Dube as well as a yet to be identified suspect, took turns to attack a local business person, Chomwenye Nzou (49) with unknown sharp objects after the victim had assaulted Ishewatida Dube. Ishewatida Dube had assaulted the victim’s employee after a misunderstanding.
</blockquote>
Some people argue that Zhou had a notorious reputation and was involved in criminal activities such as stock theft in the Mwenezi, Mberengwa, and Beitbridge areas. They claim that he escaped punishment due to connections with law enforcement officials. As a result, there are those who are celebrating his death, although it is generally not appropriate to celebrate someone’s passing.
Investigations are ongoing to gather more information about the case.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Police In Masvingo Investigating Murder Of A Businessman

An estimated 20 000 people cross the Zimbabwe/South Africa border on a daily basis.
This was said by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this Thursday while addressing journalists soon after receiving his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the South African side of the Beitbridge border.
President Mnangagwa was in South Africa at the invitation of Ramaphosa to inspect the border in order to find ways of improving the movement of people and goods between the two countries. Said Ramaphosa:
<blockquote>
We are here on a border inspection to come and see how our two borders are functioning because so many people, visitors from both countries cross the border, I’m told sometimes it’s up to 18 000, 20 000 people a day and so we want to ensure that our two border processes function well so as to enhance ease of movement of our people and ease of movement of goods so that trade between the two countries can be improved. So, this is an inspection visit by both of us.
</blockquote>
Ramaphosa was expected to preside over the launch of the Border Management Authority (BMA) in Musina, Limpopo Province, and also hold official talks with Mnangagwa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

20 000 People Transit Through Beitbridge Border Daily - President Ramaphosa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will on Thursday, 05 October meet his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, during the launch of the neighbouring country’s Border Management Authority (BMA) in Musina, Limpopo Province.
In a <a href="https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/press-statements/president-ramaphosa-preside-over-launch-border-management-authority">statemen</a>t on Wednesday, South Africa’s Presidency said the two leaders will jointly tour the Beitbridge Border Post before having their meeting in Musina. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 05 October 2023, preside over the launch of the Border Management Authority (BMA) in Musina, Limpopo Province.
The launch of the BMA follows its formal establishment and assumption of its status as a schedule 3 (A) public entity on 1 April 2023.
The establishment of the BMA means that South Africa now has an integrated border management platform, with a single command and control with which to support the attainment of secure borders, safe travel and trade.
As part of the launch, President Ramaphosa will receive President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe to hold official talks and undertake a guided tour of the Beitbridge border, supported by members of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on the BMA.
The President will then proceed to officiate the launch of the BMA at the Musina Show Grounds and also handover a Sword to the Commissioner of the BMA to delegate the powers to lead the third law enforcement authority in the Republic.
</blockquote>
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, told the media in Pretoria recently that his Ministry is set to upgrade six of its major ports of entry including the Beitbridge Border Post.
According to a report by the<a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/ramaphosa-ed-meet-in-musina-to-tour-beitbridge-border/"> Chronicle</a>, the Zimbabwean government has already completed the upgrading of Beitbridge Border Post at a cost of US$300 million in a private-public partnership with the ZimBorders Consortium.
Beitbridge (Zimbabwe), which now has three terminals for freight, buses and private cars/pedestrians and is also automated, links South Africa with Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, DRC, Malawi and Tanzania.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa, Ramaphosa Meet In Beitbridge

A Beitbridge man employed by Bitumen World and his lover were on Saturday night fatally crushed by a goods train on the railway line about 60 kilometres north of Beitbridge along the track to Rutenga.
The man was off duty and apparently was spending some time with his lover on the rail line when they were crushed to death.
When contacted for a comment by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200016484/goods-train-crushes-beitbridge-lovebirds">NewsDay</a>, ZRP’s officer commanding Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said he was not in the district and was not aware of the incident.
However, Bitumen World director Andre Zietsman confirmed the incident to NewsDay, saying their employee was off duty when he died.
<blockquote>
Yes, in his off time, he went and slept on the rail tracks and unfortunately, a train crushed him.
</blockquote>
Bitumen World is one of the five companies upgrading the Harare-Beitbridge Highway and has its main camp near the site of the accident.
NewsDay reported a source as saying the now-deceased took a mattress and laid it across the rail line where he invited his lover.
It is suspected that the two were crushed to death in their sleep. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Police were, literally, picking up pieces of the two lovers after the accident.
</blockquote>
The names of the deceased were not yet to be made public.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Goods Train Crushes "Lovebirds" In Beitbridge

CCC leader and presidential aspirant Nelson Chamisa said that when he assumes power, he will exempt Beitbridge residents from paying levies at the border post when they cross into South Africa.
Addressing party supporters at Dulivhadzimu stadium on Sunday, Chamisa said the Beitbridge border renewal project has brought suffering to local people. He was quoted by <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zimborders-has-brought-suffering-to-beitbridge-residents-chamisa/">CITE</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
I have heard concerns that Zimborders has brought suffering to Beitbridge. We understand that you make a living through trading with South Africa.
You were paying between R140 and R240 now you are being made to pay R1400. This shows that the government is insensitive.
When we assume power, we will do two things, we will exempt locals so that they are able to trade between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The owner of Zimborders brought in corruption, when we get into power, we will expose such ills.
</blockquote>
Zimborders was awarded the contract to refurbish the region’s busiest port for US$300 million, funded by South African banks.
The company now levies charges of US$27, US$80 and US$200 for private cars, buses and heavy trucks, respectively.
This has resulted in regional travellers shunning Beitbridge for other routes while locals no longer drive to South Africa.
Addressing a campaign rally in Umzingwane on Sunday on his way to Beitbridge, Chamisa lamented the centralisation of basic services in Harare, saying this inconveniences the people of Matabeleland. He said:
<blockquote>
Everything is centralised in Harare. What kind of a country is this? Birth certificates, Harare; passports Harare; and even lobola will end up being paid in Harare.
So many of your children here have left and migrated to South Africa reducing themselves to painful situations because of ZANU PF’s misrule.
</blockquote>
The exact number of Zimbabweans in South Africa is difficult to determine due to various factors such as undocumented migration and fluctuating population movements.
However, estimates suggest that there are millions of Zimbabweans residing in South Africa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimborders Has Brought Suffering To Beitbridge - Chamisa

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said a Beitbridge teenager was killed following a dispute during a drinking spree at a party.
The suspect, Kepaletso Moyo (23) who is from Limpopo village under the Chief Sitauze area in Beitbridge District used an okapi knife to stab Rendani Nguluvhe (17) from Swereki area on Saturday morning shortly after 1 AM.
The officer commanding police in Beitbridge, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed that the teenager was killed at a party. He added that the suspect will soon appear in court on a murder charge. He told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/village-party-ends-in-tragedy/">Chronicle</a>:
<blockquote>
On that particular day at around 1.20 AM, the deceased and the suspect were attending a village party in Swereki area when a misunderstanding arose between the suspect’s cousin and Nguluvhe resulting in a fist fighting.
The suspect came and indiscriminately attacked the now deceased before pulling out an okapi knife and stabbed Nguluvhe on the head and fell down and lost consciousness.
</blockquote>
Moyo fled the scene after committing the offence, leaving Nguluvhe unconscious in a pool of blood. Nguluvhe was rushed to Swereki Clinic and then to Beitbridge District Hospital, where he later died from his injuries two days after being discharged. His body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem. Moyo was eventually arrested at his homestead.
The police have always been encouraging people to solve their disagreements peacefully to avoid violence and loss of life. It’s better to communicate and compromise rather than resort to aggression. It is better to engage a mediator if the parties involved are failing to resolve their dispute.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Beitbridge Teenager Killed At A Party

A 34-year-old woman believed to have been assaulted and strangled was last Wednesday found dead in a prayer room at a church in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Beitbridge">Beitbridge</a>.
Investigations revealed that the woman had gone to the church to seek spiritual assistance when she was allegedly murdered.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident. He told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/woman-found-dead-in-church/">The Herald</a>:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is investigating a murder case where a 34-year-old woman was found dead in a prayer room at a church in Beitbridge on March 8, 2023.
The victim had visited the church to seek spiritual assistance. The body was referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem, and the results revealed that the victim died due to Cephalic contusion, Cranial trauma and assault.
</blockquote>
In another case, police are investigating a murder case that occurred on Wednesday at Overspill Shopping Centre in Epworth, where Taurai Murungweni (34) died after being assaulted by a mob on allegations of theft of a gas cylinder.
Police are also investigating a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on Wednesday in Harare, along Seke Road, opposite Empowerment Ministries, at around 8.50 pm.
It is alleged that an unknown man aged about 35 to 40 years was hit by a motorist who was driving a Nissan Caravan while crossing the road. The victim died on the spot.
Police are appealing for those missing relatives to visit the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary and assist with the identification of the victim.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Woman Found Dead In A Prayer Room At A Church

The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, has said the days of Zimbabweans relying on content from foreign countries are over.
Mutsvangwa made the remarks on Saturday during the launch of Beitbridge’s community radio station which broadcasts mainly in the Tshi Venda language.
The radio station, Lotsha FM, is found on the 90.1 frequency and covers a radius of 60km from the border town.
<a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/days-of-zimbabweans-relying-on-foreign-radio-content-are-over-minister/">The Sunday News</a> reported Mutsvangwa as saying five local language-based community radio stations have been successfully launched, among them, Avuxeni in Chiredzi, Ntepe Manama in Gwanda, Chimanimani FM in Chimanimani, Nyangani FM in Nyanga. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
We have had a situation where communities on the border line had struggled to receive radio signals and access domestic content from Zimbabwe.
As the Second Republic we have turned another page and have licensed 14 community-based radio stations to give our citizens across the country a voice.
Every community should access content on various issues including government programmes, community development, public health and crime, among other things in their own language.
</blockquote>
The launch of Lotsha FM was held concurrently with the belated World Radio Day celebrations which were held at Dulivhadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge.
World Radio Day was marked last Tuesday. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
Today’s event is more than the celebration of World Radio Day as we also officially launch the Beitbridge Shashe Community Radio Station, popularly known as Lotsha FM.
</blockquote>

Days Of Zimbabweans Relying On Foreign Radio Content Are Over - Mutsvangwa

At least 20 000 travellers crossed from South Africa into Zimbabwe at the Beitbridge Border Post in Musina, Limpopo, from the 23rd to the 24th of December, according to the Border Management Authority (BMA).
Unlike in the past years, travellers were not spending nights in the queue before being processed.
BMA commissioner Mike Masiapato says the Beitbridge Border Post is experiencing a high number of people crossing than other ports of entry. He said:
<blockquote>
Inside the port, all the process is up and running in terms of the ICT or the computers.
We always have challenges where during load shedding the system is always going down.
This time we make sure that we have experts on the ground, so the capacity is here, additional capacity.
I can indicate that the average we are able to process over a period is about 15 000.
Last, we have processed over 14 000 and up to this point, we processed over 8 000 trucks. We processed about 600 in a 24-hour basis.
</blockquote>
People who were crossing to the Zimbabwean side at Beitbridge Border Post from South Africa commended border officials for improving services. One of the travellers said:
<blockquote>
The service at the border, I just arrived now but it’s moving. I hope we are going to reach home in time.
Me, I would clap for immigration because there are no queues. These guys are well-organised. It is moving 100%; I give them a clap.
</blockquote>
However, traffic was heavily congested on the N1 road between Musina, a town in South Africa, and the border post. |<a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/more-than-20-000-immigrants-cross-from-south-africa-into-zimbabwe-at-the-beitbridge-border-post/"> SABC News</a>

More Than 20 000 Travellers Cross Into Zimbabwe Through Beitbridge Border Post

A family in the Mahuhushe area of Lutumba in Beitbridge was robbed at gunpoint on Monday after four assailants pounced while they were checking the fuel level in a generator.
The family lost an assortment of goods and money worth over R13 000 to the suspects.
Zimbabweans are spending more than 15 hours a day without electricity, which in most cases is restored after 11 PM.
Robbers have taken advantage of the darkness caused by unscheduled power cuts to terrorise residents and businesspeople.
Some well-to-do families have resorted to using generators to power their gadgets.
Police in Beitbridge are investigating the robbery incident in the Mahuhushe area and have appealed to anyone with information to contact the nearest police station.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge district, chief superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed the robbery incident.
He said that on the fateful day at around midnight, the four complainants were having a party, playing music and drinking alcoholic beverages at Misheck Chauke’s homestead. Said Chief Supt Nyongo:
<blockquote>
During the process, two of the complainants went to check the fuel level in the generator they were using to power the homestead.
Suddenly the four suspects appeared at the gate armed with a pellet gun and fired two shots in the air ordering everybody to lie down.
For fear for their lives, the victims complied and one of the suspects guarded those who were lying on the ground.
The suspects then searched everyone and ransacked the house taking cell phones and cash all worth R12 100 as well as US$100 cash before leaving
</blockquote>
The matter was later reported at Lutumba Police Station on the same day.
Chief Supt Nyongo said the police recovered two spent cartridges fired from the pellet gun at the scene but none of the complainants was injured. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/armed-robbers-strike-again-in-beitbridge/">The Herald</a>

Load Shedding Exposes Beitbridge Family To Armed Robbers

Gibson Chidzanga, a 33-year-old Beitbridge man locked his wife and two children in a room and set it ablaze resulting in the death of his nine-month-old daughter following a dispute with his wife over a text message. 
He has appeared before the courts facing murder charges.
<h2>What happened:</h2>
Prosecutor Mr Pithey Magumula told the court that on 13 December, Gibson Chidzanga arrived at his rented house in the Dulivhadzimu suburb around midnight.
He then stumbled on a text message on his wife’s cellphone which led to a misunderstanding between the two.
Chidzanga threatened to burn the house with his wife and two children inside.
After that, he forced his family into one room and took a gas tank from the kitchen and lit it and fled from the scene.
The tank then burst into a huge fireball which spread across the house and his wife managed to escape with one child.
Efforts to rescue the nine-month-old child were fruitless as the fire raged on, resulting in the toddler being burnt to death.
<h2>Arrest:</h2>
A report was then made to the police resulting in Chidzanga’s arrest the following day.
He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Miss Ania Chimweta at the Beitbridge Magistrate Courts on Friday.
Chidzanga was remanded in custody until 30 December.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Man Locks Wife And Kids In A Room And Sets It On Fire Over Text Message

Two men from Beitbridge have been jailed for an effective nine years for robbing a taxi driver they had hired of valuables including a cell phone and a Honda Fit all worth US$4100.
Pardon Chamunorwa (30) and Edson Takwanisa Hardson (29) allegedly robbed the taxi driver of his belongings and the car on October 22 after hiring him for transportation from Dulivhadzimu Suburb to the Beitbridge Border Post.
They were convicted on their own plea of guilty to charges of robbery when they appeared before regional magistrate, Mr Innocent Bepura on Thursday, <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/duo-jailed-9-years-for-robbing-taxi-driver-of-honda-fit/">The Herald</a> reported.
The two accused persons were left with nine effective years in jail after one year was conditionally set aside for 5 years.
<h2>What happened:</h2>
Mr Claudius Karinga who was representing the State said on October 22 this year at around 3 am, the two men hired the complainant who was driving a black Honda Fit to take them to the border.
He said they agreed on a service fee of R20.
Along the way, Chamunorwa pretended to be talking to someone who was in the low-density suburb and wanted to see both men.
He then asked the taxi driver to divert the route via the low-density suburb and that he would top up the transportation fee.
While in the suburb, when the driver was negotiating an intersection, Hardson who was sitting behind him, strangled the man with a rope on the neck and ordered him to stop the vehicle.
Chamunorwa drew an okapi knife from his pocket and put it on the man’s neck and removed him from the driver’s seat.
Chamunorwa drove the vehicle towards One Independence Barracks, where they dumped the man and went away.
A report was then made to the police who recovered the vehicle in Masvingo at Nyika growth point and arrested the two men following intensive investigations.
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Two Beitbridge Men Jailed After Robbing A Taxi Driver They Had Hired

More than 250 families were affected by flash floods that hit Beitbridge town recently, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has said.
The floods affected residents of the Dulibadzimu suburb following a torrential downpour last week.
Speaking to <a href="https://zbcnews.co.zw/2022/11/02/more-than-200-families-affected-by-early-flash-floods-in-beitbridge/">ZBC News</a>, one of Dulibadzimu residents said flash floods have become a perennial nightmare for them. He said:
<blockquote>
For us, the rainy season comes with nightmares. When it rains at night, we wake up in a pool of water right inside our bedrooms.
What is more worrying is that we experience this almost on an annual basis and we feel hard done by our council.
</blockquote>
Beitbridge CPU chairperson, Sikhangezile Mafu said the government is mobilising resources to continue assisting the families affected by the flash floods. She said:
<blockquote>
While we move in to assist affected families, it is necessary that the council employ a long-term solution because we cannot be witnessing such catastrophes each time it rains. We need to decisively deal with this.
</blockquote>
Beitbridge Mayor, Councillor Munyaradzi Chitsuke, said the long-term solution to the problem of flooding is to renew the suburb. Said Chutsuke:
<blockquote>
Dulibadzimu floods are giving us sleepless nights as the council. We are working on strategies for building our capacity to relocate those houses in the long run.
Strategic partnerships with developers to renew this old suburb might be the ultimate solution.
</blockquote>
Beitbridge Town Council is also mulling de-silting the Wamlala River which is now flowing into some parts of the Dulibadzimu suburb.

Flash Floods Affect 250 Families In Beitbridge

A 31-year-old Beitbridge woman has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for killing her 50-year-old husband during a dispute over rent money and the paternity of their baby.
In an interview held at Chikurubi Female Prison in Harare, Geraldine Nyoni, a mother of three minor children, said she killed Majahana Mazibuko after he spent money for rent on beer. She told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/two-women-two-drunk-husbands-murder-most-foul/">The Herald</a>:
<blockquote>
On March 4, 2017, at around 8 pm we were at our rented quarters in Dulivhadzimu in Beitbridge when an altercation ensued over rentals,” she said. We owed our landlord, and it had been days with me playing hide and seek with him. 
We had earlier discussed the issue with my husband and I had told him that instead of going for beer drinks, he should give me the money so that I would pay our rent.” 
</blockquote>
She added that an earlier altercation over the paternity of their then five-month-old baby had led to a bitter exchange of harsh words, with Nyoni telling a drunk Mazibuko that he was not the father of the child. Said Nyoni:
<blockquote>
After the altercation, at around 8pm, Zwelibanzi Phakathi and Saidi Chisa, who are my late husband’s relatives, came to our house. They complained over what they said was my ill-treatment of my husband. We exchanged harsh words over the accusations, but they later left and drove away in their car.
</blockquote>
Court records show that Mazibuko remained behind and tried to calm his wife who by then was trembling with rage. 
Nyoni is said to have kicked Mazibuko on his private parts and a scuffle ensued again. She narrated:
<blockquote>
We started fighting again and I picked up a knife and stabbed him on the right side of the neck. I panicked and ran away to the police station.  
</blockquote>
At the police station, Nyoni tried to mislead the police, claiming she had run away from her husband who was physically abusing her.  
Meanwhile, neighbours rushed Mazibuko, who was lying in a pool of blood, to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died upon admission. 
Nyoni was later arrested by police and the blood-stained knife was recovered from their house. 
Nyoni said jail life has changed her and her view on life adding that she “still don’t understand how I could get that angry to an extent of stabbing my husband to death.”  
She hopes that President Mnangagwa would pardon her so that she can go and look after her children whom she said have no one to look after them.
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Beitbridge Woman Kills Husband In Dispute Over Rent Money And Paternity Of Their Baby

A violent storm hit Beitbridge on Wednesday night leaving dozens of families without food as water flooded homes.
No deaths or injuries were reported but residents are without water after power to water pumps was cut off.
The Beitbridge district civil protection unit (CPU) on Thursday sent teams to assess damage in Dulivhadzimo high-density suburb, the worst affected.
CPU has issued an alert to potentially vulnerable areas in Chikwarakwara and Shashi where flooding occurs when there are storms.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, Beitbridge head of the CPU Sikhangezile Ncube said:
<blockquote>
We have tasked the municipality of Beitbridge to head a technical team that will make a detailed assessment.
The details we want should include the number of households, number of people, gender, and age of those affected. The immediate problem we have just established is the lack of food.
We are also looking for long-term solutions to end this problem we face perennially. We need a lasting intervention. It does not make sense that each year we fight floods in the same area.
</blockquote>
Beitbridge town clerk Loud Ramagkapola said the municipality was considering relocating the affected residents under its urban renewal programme.
Most of the people who were affected by the storm were vendors plying their trade near Dulivhadzimo bus terminus. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002662/flash-floods-hit-beitbridge">NewsDay</a>

Flash Floods Hit Beitbridge Town

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Plumtree is investigating a robbery case in which a couple running an unregistered money transfer business was robbed of ZAR20 000.
Police say the robbery occurred on 17 October 2022 at MW5 Madubes.
It is alleged that two unknown assailants, armed with a suspected pistol, attacked a couple and stole three cell phones.
The suspects allegedly forced the wife to drive to Medium Density where ZAR20 000 cash and a cellphone were stolen from a 19-year-old woman who was safekeeping the couple’s money.
The couple is involved in an unregistered business of receiving and sending money from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
In a related case, two unknown suspects armed with a black toy gun together with a flick knife pounced on a woman involved in a money transfer business before stealing US$2 000 and ZAR 40 000 cash at Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge.
The robbery also happened on 17 October 2022.
Police say the toy gun, knife and a black satchel were recovered at the scene. 
Investigations are underway.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Couple Running An Unregistered Money Transfer Business Robbed

Police in Marondera have recovered 205 sachets of marijuana (Mbanje) from a drug dealer who was selling the drug to members of the public in Marondera CBD and surrounding areas.
Upon his arrest, Norest Fungai Kujeke (26) was also found in possession of Benylin and Broncleer cough syrups.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest in a statement. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Police in Marondera acted on a tip-off and arrested Norest Fungai Kujeke for dealing in dangerous drugs. Detectives recovered 205 sachets of dagga , 17×100 mls Benylin, 7×100 mls Broncleer and 19×100 mls empty bottles of Broncleer.
</blockquote>
This comes barely hours after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) announced the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/10/18/two-bulawayo-men-caught-in-beitbridge-while-smuggling-drugs-worth-zw6-2-million/">arrest of two Bulawayo men who were attempting to smuggle drugs from South Africa</a> into Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge border.
They were arrested after the police Canine Unit searched their vehicles and discovered drugs that were hidden in some products.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Police Arrest 26-year-old Drug Dealer

Six men have appeared in court on charges of murder after they allegedly assaulted a suspected thief to death.
The court heard that the accused caught the deceased stealing from their colleague’s car in Epworth, Harare and assaulted him.
After realising that the now deceased was badly injured, Elfas and Ernest Mapwanya, Tafadzwa Mafoshoro, Shamiso Madhishi, Trevor Matambudziko and Philani Nkala, allegedly dumped him close to a clinic.
The court heard that the now deceased was taken home by a “Good Samaritan” where he was later found dead.
The six were remanded in custody, <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/siblings-up-for-murder-2/">ZBC News</a> reported.
In a different case, a 23-year-old man appeared before the courts on charges of theft of a firearm after stealing his uncle’s gun.
Lewis Hlahla was remanded in custody when he appeared in court this Monday.
It is alleged that the accused visited his 78-year-old uncle who stays alone and stole the gun from the gun cabinet.
He was arrested after his uncle realised the gun was missing after the accused had left the house.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Suspected Thief Assaulted To Death

Three armed robbers have been jailed for a total of 130 years for 11 counts of violent crime in Beitbridge, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/breaking-news/article/200001273/130-year-term-for-armed-robbers">NewsDay</a> reported.
Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura convicted the trio, Charles Chekenyere (24), Marshal Mutekwa (27) and Julias Chibharo (37), of crimes that were committed from July to October 2021.
Magistrate Bepura said society was safe without the convicts. Said the magistrate:
<blockquote>
Homes, where people should feel safe, were no longer safe when you broke into several homes and used violence in your heinous acts. The Beitbridge community was subjected to fear and noone felt safe.
</blockquote>
Chekenyere was jailed for 40 years, Mutekwa and Chibharo for 60 and 30 years respectively.
They will, however, serve 30, 40 and 25 respectively after some years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

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