Twenty-three cattle died in Rixton Village, Mhangura, Zimbabwe on January 13, 2024, likely due to cyanide poisoning. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating the incident. According to a statement seen by Pindula News, the police said the cattle died immediately after drinking water from a stream near a gold ore leaching plant. Read the statement:
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Police in Mhangura are investigating circumstances surrounding the death of 23 cattle due to suspected cyanide poisoning which occurred on 13/01/24 at Rixton Village 4. The cattle died on the spot after drinking water from a stream near a gold ore leaching plant.
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Cattle have great importance in Zimbabwe and Africa as a symbol of wealth. Losing 23 cattle, as happened in this incident, is a significant loss for both the individuals affected and the entire nation. Cattle are valuable assets that contribute to the national herd, so losing them means losing a substantial amount of wealth. It is a loss that impacts not only the immediate owners but also the wider community and the country as a whole.
This incident raises concerns about the discharge of water contaminated with harmful substances into rivers by gold miners, which poses risks to both humans and animals.
The case is not the first one of its nature. In March 2022, a Chinese-owned gold mine near Karoi reportedly spilt cyanide-laced slimes into the Angwa River, resulting in the death of fish and endangering the lives of villagers downstream. In July of the same year, it was reported that gold miners in Mudzi and Nyanga were releasing water containing poisonous substances, including cyanide and mercury, into rivers. This pollution caused the death of livestock and potential health complications for villagers. Kunyu Mining (Pvt) Ltd, a Chinese-owned company, was specifically highlighted as a major polluter, discharging waste into the Nyamombe River.
The pollution of rivers in Manicaland became so widespread that neighbouring Mozambique lodged a formal complaint with Zimbabwean authorities.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

23 Cattle Die On Spot After Drinking Water Near A Gold Ore Leaching Plant

Eight men allegedly assaulted a fellow villager with a sjambok and hit him with a stone in the head in Mhangura, resulting in his death, over a previous argument during a beer-drinking spree.
In a statement posted on X, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said Tatenda Mifiko (23), Simbarashe Gwararaoma (18) and Tonderai Mhonda (28) other accomplices still at large assaulted Learnmore Nhembe (23) at White Wash Shopping Centre.
Nhembe died upon admission to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital. Reads the statement:
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Police in Mhangura have arrested Tatenda Mifiko (23), Simbarashe Gwararaoma (18) and Tonderai Mhonda (28) in connection with a case of murder which occurred at White Wash Shopping Centre.
The suspects and their five accomplices who are still at large, took turns to assault the victim, Learnmore Nhembe (23) with a sjambok, hands and feet indiscriminately all over the body.
One of the suspects, only identified as Divine, hit the victim with a stone on the head. The victim died upon admission at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.
The suspects and the victim had previously been embroiled in an argument during a beer-drinking spree at White Wash Mine, Pondorosa, Mhangura.
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Last month, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi expressed concern over the increasing number of murder cases. <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/murder-cases-spike-worries-police/">He said</a>:
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Violent crimes in society are on the increase due to several factors such as infidelity and perpetrators use machetes and other dangerous weapons.
The rise in cases of murder is worrisome hence the need to value life. We want to ensure that lives are protected, and we cannot have a nation where people slaughter each other like chickens over issues that can be resolved amicably.
There are several organisations and even community leaders that can be approached in resolving disputes.
Where there are disputes and conflicts, even within families, people are always free to approach the police, the church, and community leaders.
We have also noticed that most murder victims in Bulawayo are people who would have left beer gardens very late.
As the police, we urge all beer-drinking outlets and business communities to operate within the law and adhere to stipulated times.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Eight Men Flog Villager To Death In Revenge Mission

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police">Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> has appealed for information that may lead to the location of Oliver Katungunda (57),  a security guard at Silverside Mine, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mhangura">Mhangura</a>, who went missing on the 5th of April 2022.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, ZRP said Katungunda was on duty at around 0300 hours when he went missing. Reads the statement:
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The ZRP is appealing for information which may assist to locate Oliver Katungunda (57) who was last seen at Silverside Mine, Mhangura on 05/04/22 at around 0300 hours while conducting guard duties.
The missing person’s cellphone and jacket were recovered near a disused mine shaft. Searches were made in the disused mine by the ZRP Sub-Aqua unit and nothing was found.
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Police said anyone with information may contact National Complaints Desk at (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
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Mine Security Guard Goes Missing

ZANU PF has cancelled the suspension and prohibition on Mashonaland West provincial youth league chairman, Tapiwa Masenda, <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/masendas-suspension-uplifted/">reported The Herald</a>.
ZANU PF national secretary for security Lovemore Matuke is expected to deploy a team to conduct investigations.
Masenda was suspended by the provincial executive committee (PEC) together with the provincial secretary for administration, Rudo Munyonga recently following several allegations of misconduct levelled against him.
He was barred from calling, officiating and addressing any meetings and entering party offices.
The cancellation of Masenda’s suspension will see him continue conducting his duties until the outcome of the investigations.
According to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zanu-pf-mash-west-youth-boss-in-soup-beating-up-on-chinese-miner/">a report by NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Masenda allegedly assaulted a Chinese miner following a mining dispute at a gold-rich mine in Mhangura.
A Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held in Chinhoyi at the weekend chaired by ZANU PF provincial chairperson, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, resolved to suspend Masenda.

ZANU PF Revokes Suspension Of Official Who Assaulted Chinese Miner

ZANU PF Mashonaland West Province has resolved to suspend its Youth League chairman, Tapiwa Masenda, for allegedly assaulting a Chinese miner, leaving him badly bruised.
The assault reportedly followed a mining dispute at a gold-rich mine in Mhangura.
A Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held in Chinhoyi at the weekend chaired by ZANU PF provincial chairperson, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, resolved to suspend Masenda.
In a statement, ZANU PF provincial secretary for publicity and information, Godknows Murambiwa said Masenda will undergo a disciplinary hearing. Said Murambiwa:
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Cde Tapiwa Masenda, Mashonaland West Youth League provincial Chairman has been issued with a Prohibition Order following several allegations of misconduct levelled against him.
His actions as described by the provincial secretary for security do not have a place in ZANU PF under the new dispensation.
The Provincial Executive Committee invoked powers invested and provided for by the party Constitution under Article 21 Cde Masenda will be going through a disciplinary hearing within 14 days.
We appeal for peace and tranquillity to prevail throughout the province to ensure an unbiased and justified process during and after the hearing period which should be within 14 days.
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| <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zanu-pf-mash-west-youth-boss-in-soup-beating-up-on-chinese-miner/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

ZANU PF Mashonaland West Youth League Leader Assaults Chinese Miner

Police have launched a manhunt for a Mhangura man who murdered his wife and two kids on Thursday night by striking them with an axe before setting their house on fire.
Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Margaret Chitove was this morning waiting to receive facts on the case but sources from Mhangura police station said a manhunt has since been launched.
Justice Musungavarume (age not known) of Hunter Farm some six kilometres from Mhangura town attacked his wife and kids after having a quarrel over infidelity.
Linda Musungavarume who is the sister to the accused said her brother had a dispute with Leen Maungwe (the now-deceased wife) over infidelity allegations. Linda told The Herald: 

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After having confronted his wife over infidelity, my brother vacated their matrimonial home to Mhangura before coming back yesterday to attack his family.
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Mhangura police attended the scene and the bodies of the three were taken to Makonde Christian Hospital mortuary. 
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/man-runs-amok-butchers-wife-and-kids/">The Herald</a>

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