Four men were arrested in Mutoko, Mashonaland East this week for allegedly vandalising Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) transformers and stealing armoured cables at Mushimbo and Rukau Business Centres.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on their official X page, saying the suspects were apprehended at a roadblock on Harare-Nyamapanda Road on Monday. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Mutoko acted on received information and arrested Anderson Takawira alias Tatenda Vambe (30) , Isaac Vheremu (38), Trymore Bona (30) and Archford Chiyangwa (25) at a roadblock along Harare Nyamapanda Road on 27/01/25 in connection with vandalism of a ZETDC transformer and theft of armoured cables.
The arrest led to the recovery of the suspects’ getaway car, a Toyota Aqua , reg number AGF 9536, bolts, nuts, two scales , spanners, a knife and armoured cables.
The suspects are being linked to a case of vandalism of a ZETDC transformer at Mushimbo Business Centre where transformer oil was stolen on 27/01/25 and a case of theft of ZETDC copper cables at Rukau Business Centre, Mutoko on 27/01/25 where a transformer was vandalised before armoured cables were stolen.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Caleb Chivhanga (25) of Chinhoyi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing 0.85g of copper without a license, in violation of the Copper Control Act [Chapter 14:06].
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chivhanga was found with bundled copper wire on January 1, 2025, at Musakwa Village in Chinhoyi.

Pindula News

Four men were caught by police in Mutoko for breaking transformers and stealing cables from ZETDC. The men were arrested at a roadblock and their car, tools, and stolen cables were found. They were linked to stealing transformer oil and copper cables from two different places. The suspects are now in trouble for their crimes.

Four Suspects Held In Mutoko For ZETDC Transformer Vandalism And Cable Theft

A 35-year-old man from Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping his two biological daughters, aged 7 and 5.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the case, saying the man appeared before the Mutoko Magistrates’ Court, where he faced two counts of rape involving his daughters. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
It was the State’s case that some time between December 2023 and March 2024, the accused person had been raping his two biological daughters aged 7 and 5 on diverse occasions.
The accused person would have sexual intercourse with both complainants during the night or early in the morning before they left for school.
The accused person had been divorced with the complainants’ mother and had threatened the complainants not to disclose the matter to anyone.
</blockquote>
The case came to light on March 18, 2024, when a local councillor received an anonymous tip-off, prompting him to question the children.
They subsequently revealed the truth, which led to the arrest of the accused.
The man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for each count, resulting in a total effective sentence of 30 years.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man from Mutoko got 30 years in jail for raping his 7 and 5-year-old daughters. He did this many times between December 2023 and March 2024. The man threatened the girls not to tell anyone. But when a local councilor found out and asked the girls, they told the truth. So, the man got caught and sent to jail for 30 years. He got 15 years for each time he raped his daughters. It's important to always speak up if something bad happens to you.

Mutoko Man Jailed 30 Years For Raping Biological Daughters Aged 7 And 5

A security guard in Mutoko lost his service pistol to a prostitute after failing to pay for her “services”, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200022006/guard-loses-pistol-to-sex-worker">NewsDay</a>.
The security guard, Evidence Mangonono (27), had hired the woman only identified as Choice and had sex with her near a bank where he was guarding.
It is alleged that Choice took the pistol after Mangonono had failed to pay for her services.
Mangonono appeared at the Mutoko Magistrates Courts before magistrate Chiedza Gatsi charged with violating the Firearms Act.
Gatsi initially sentenced Mangonono to a year in prison before suspending the custodial sentence on the condition that he perform 325 hours of community service at Hurungwe Primary School in Murewa.
It was the State’s case that on 07 January 2024, Mangonono drank sex-enhancing herbs with his colleagues and hired the “sex worker”.
He had sexual intercourse with the woman at the back of the bank he was guarding.
Mangonono, however, failed to pay for the service, prompting the woman to take his service pistol as collateral.
The next day his company discovered that his service gun was missing and filed a police report.
Mangonono scrounged for money and later made a follow-up and paid Choice to recover the gun.
The Firearms Act is a law regulating and controlling the possession, sale, repair and manufacture of firearms and ammunition. It aims to ensure public safety and prevent the misuse of firearms. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Security Guard Surrenders Service Pistol To Sex Worker As Collateral

A 52-year-old man in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, allegedly fatally shot his grandson on Christmas Eve as he tried to shoot crow birds.
<a href="https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-238653.html">Bulawayo24</a> reported that Dominic Nyawasha (52) who wanted to shoot crow birds, missed his target, and instead, shot his grandson to death.
The matter came to light on Boxing Day at the Mutoko Magistrates Court where the accused appeared before magistrate Titus Makunike.
The state led by Chipo Munemero alleged that on 24 December 2023, Nyawasha was drinking beer with his son who is the victim’s father at his place of residence in Mutoko.
Nyawasha spotted crow birds perched on a Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) power transmission line and decided to shoot them with his gun.
He took the gun and tried to shoot the birds but he missed the target and fatally shot his grandson.
The report, however, did not indicate the charge Nyawasha is facing, which could be murder, or culpable homicide, since the fatal shooting was accidental rather than intentional.
In Zimbabwe, the minimum sentence for murder depends on the specific circumstances, and the death penalty can be imposed for murder committed in aggravating circumstances.
Section 47(4) of the Criminal Law Code provides that the sentence for murder can be death, life imprisonment, or at least twenty years.
The death penalty, however, cannot be imposed on women, men over 70 years old, or males who were under 21 at the time of the offence.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mutoko Man Accidentally Shoots Grandson To Death On Christmas Eve

Two men have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 4-year-old girl in Mutoko, Zimbabwe.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, police said the incident occurred on June 22, 2023, at Hurumutumbu Business Centre. According to the police, Pedo Samu (52) and Godfrey Gatsi (38) kidnapped the girl on her way home from school. Pedo Samu admitted to intending to kill the victim for ritual purposes after being promised US$1500.00 by Godfrey Gatsi. The police investigation also revealed that the young girl was sexually abused. Reads the police report posted on Twitter:
<blockquote>
Police in Mutoko have arrested Pedo Samu (52) and Godfrey Gatsi (38) in connection with a case of kidnapping which occurred on 22/06/23 at Hurumutumbu Business Centre in which an ECD pupil (4) was abducted on her way home from school.
Pedo Samu allegedly confessed that he intended to kill the victim for ritual purposes after being promised US$1500.00 by Godfrey Gatsi. Investigations by the police established that the victim was sexually abused.
</blockquote>
Ritual-related murders in Zimbabwe are a growing problem, with vulnerable individuals often targeted for their body parts believed to have supernatural powers.
The recent case comes when the murder case of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore in September 2020 which sparked outrage and calls for justice is yet to be concluded. His body was discovered without a head, and it is believed that his body parts were used for ritual purposes.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe Police Arrest Two Men For Raping 4-Year-Old Girl

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mudzi">Mudzi</a> community of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mutoko">Mutoko</a> has become the latest to benefit from the rural electrification programme after 10 institutions including schools, clinics, business centres and homesteads were connected to the national grid.
Speaking during the switching-on ceremony in Mudzi Rural Electricity Agency (REA) board member, Partridge Ndemera encouraged the community to use the electricity productively. ZBC News cites him as saying:
<blockquote>
I urge you to use the electricity to your benefit and safeguard against vandalism of the infrastructure.
</blockquote>
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Magna Mudyiwa said the government is working tirelessly to make sure there is enough power supply in the country. She said:
<blockquote>
The government is working hard to improve power generation capacity at Hwange Power Station so there is an improved power generation.
</blockquote>
The government has set a target of providing power to all the rural areas in the country by 2030.
Villagers who spoke to ZBC News said they were delighted by the development saying it will give their children a chance to be on the same page with their counterparts from towns.
Some said women would be able to give birth even at night without challenges while others said the electrification initiative will allow them to start projects such as welding.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

10 Institutions Electrified In Mudzi Under The Rural Electrification Programme

A man suspected to be mentally challenged allegedly killed his father before beheading him and chopping off his test*cles.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said ZRP Makosa arrested Tonderai Mariwo for allegedly axing his father to death and chopping off some of his body parts. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
ZRP Makosa arrested Tonderai Mariwo, a suspected mentally challenged man, for a case of murder where he allegedly struck his father once with an axe on the neck before cutting off the head, right thump, and testicles.
The suspect has since appeared before Mutoko Magistrate Court, where he was remanded in custody for trial on 16/12/22.
</blockquote>
In an unrelated case, police say they are investigating the alleged rape of a 13-year-old grade seven pupil from Mutoko.
Police said the minor had visited her mother in Kambuzuma, Harare, during the holidays when she was sexually abused.
The matter came to light after the girl had returned to Mutoko and it was discovered that she was already six months pregnant. Police said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is investigating a case of rape in which a 13-year-old grade seven pupil was raped by a certain man after she had visited her mother for a holiday in Kambuzuma, Harare, in April 2022.
The offence came to light when the complainant returned to her aunt’s place in Mutoko, where she was medically examined and found to be six months pregnant.
</blockquote>

Man Kills Father, Chops Off His Test*cles

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported the discovery of four unidentified bodies along the Harare – <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nyamapanda">Nyamapanda</a> Road on Tuesday 22 November 2022. 
In a statement seen by Pindula News, police said all the deceased are male. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms that investigations are being conducted in connection with the discovery of four bodies of male adults on 22/11/11 at a bushy area near 174 KM peg along Harare –Nyamapanda Road, Suswe Pass, Mudzi, Mutoko.
Once the Police establish the full details, the public will be informed accordingly.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/update-zrp-engages-interpol-over-bodies-found-along-harare-nyamapanda-road/">In an update</a>, police said the quartet is believed to have been a group of foreigners who might have suffocated in a container used by human traffickers before their bodies were dumped in a bush near Suswe Pass in the Mudzi area of Mashonaland East Province,
Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi says they have engaged Interpol to assist with investigations.
Nyamapanda is the border post with Mozambique, on the Harare – Tete – Malawi highway. It is in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mudzi" title="Mudzi">Mudzi</a> district, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mashonaland_East_Province" title="Mashonaland East Province">Mashonaland East Province</a>. See <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Distances_in_Zimbabwe" title="Distances in Zimbabwe">Distances in Zimbabwe</a>.
It is 98 km east of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mutoko" title="Mutoko">Mutoko</a>.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Four Bodies Discovered Along Harare – Nyamapanda Road

Two men from Mutoko have been arrested after they allegedly tried to smuggle 40 tonnes of lithium ore out of the country using a South African registered truck.
The duo Livingstone Barnet (32) and Raison Murima (30) were arrested on September 7, 2022, by police at a roadblock. One of the suspects identified as Tapiwa Nyauchi is on the run.
Barnet and Murima appeared before Mutoko magistrate Elijah Sibanda who remanded them out of custody to September 26 on $30 000 bail.
The truck remains at Mutoko police station laden with the ore pending laboratory tests on the mineral content of the ore, according to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000628/two-jailed-for-trying-to-smuggle-lithium-ore-to-sa">NewsDay Zimbabwe.</a>
According to the State outline, the suspects face charges of contravening Section 368 of the Mines and Minerals Act relating to prospecting for any mineral, mineral ore or natural gas without a license or permit.
<h2>Allegations:</h2>
The State alleges that on September 7, 2022, the accused persons were intercepted at Rukanda business centre, Mutoko by police who searched their truck and discovered 40 tons of lithium ore.
The duo revealed that they had extracted the ore from Chishambiro area, in Mudzi. Upon arriving at the ‘mine’ police recovered two drill bits, one generator and some shovels.
In court, prosecutor Nathan Mujuru said smuggling of minerals must be viewed as economic sabotage and must attract a hefty sentence.
The accused persons had no mining certificates, or any other documents authorising them to remove any mineral from one place to the other. 
This is happening as the manufacture of electric vehicles has increased demand for lithium which is essential for the production of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Two Men Arrested While Trying To Smuggle 40 Tonnes Of Lithium Ore To South Africa

A 48-year-old Nyamapanda teacher has said he was pained when a PSMAS clinic in Harare asked him to pay US$30 on top of his monthly contribution, to get his son treated. 
Mairos Nyangani earns approximately ZW$60 000 (around US$150) a month in basic salary.
 He deducts ZW$1 030 (US$2.63) as medical aid for himself, his wife Charity (42), and three children, Onesimor (17), Patricia (14), and Makaita (9).
Nyangani, a member of PSMAS, which he joined as soon as he began work in 2007 narrated to <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2022/07/22/psmas-member-narrates-sad-ordeal/">the Independent</a> what transpired when he took his asthmatic son, Onesimor to a PSMAS clinic in Harare:
<blockquote>
I could not bring him here for assistance. The local hospital and clinics were empty, and the health workers were hardly able to assist. They all have a new byword — incapacitation. My plan was to take him to Harare, which is the nearest place I can access a Premier Service Medical Aid Society (Psmas)  clinic.
I was not prepared for what met my eyes when I got to the Psmas clinic. The staff was not helpful. It seemed they were not willing to attend to us. We later found out they had not been paid and were demonstrating through slow service. Eventually, I was referred to another service provider who asked me to pay a US$30 co-payment “because Psmas haisi kutibhadhara (Psmas is not paying us). On my salary, I cannot raise this kind of money. All this time, my son was breathing as if he was in the corridors of death. All I could think of was, ‘My medical aid is dying and now, so is my child’.
</blockquote>
He expressed disappointment over reports that some shareholders at PSMAS were fighting for control of the service provider instead of ensuring that members were receiving better services. 
There are allegations that PSMAS which announced during a Press conference in April that it had received ZW$6 billion (US$15.3 million) in 2021, was abusing funds.
Public Service Commission (PSC), through its Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe, said this amount should have been sufficient to ensure quality service for Psmas members. 
Meanwhile, an analysis of the figures indicated that the PSC was paying around ZW$1 800 (US$4.60) per month per member, which came up to around ZW$21 600 (US$55) per year.
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Teacher Narrates Ordeal At A PSMAS Clinic In Harare

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has dismissed as fake reports of an armed robbery that allegedly happened in Mutoko on Wednesday. A message circulating on social media alleged that four people were arrested over the said robbery. Pindula News presents a statement by ZNA on the matter:
<blockquote>
<h2>MEDIA RESPONSE ON FAKE NEWS ITEM ON ALLEGED ARMED ROBBERY IN MUTOKO</h2>
In response to a social media and WhatsApp fake message that has been circulating since early this morning, the Zimbabwe National Army would like to set the record straight that no such robbery occurred in Mutoko yesterday on 16 February 2022. The Security Forces have carried out thorough investigations in and around Mutoko and no such incident took place. The alleged victims are also non-existent. The fake report also says four people were arrested but without mentioning their names. The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Mutoko has also refuted that they arrested anyone related to an armed robbery case in the area. 
The Army would like to point out that this message is malicious and must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. The Security Forces are very much concerned about the spread of fake news posts especially when there are regional and international conferences taking place. It is now well established that such fake news posts are meant to cause alarm and despondence.
Investigations have now been instituted to apprehend the originators of these fake news posts and the perpetrators will be brought to book. 
Alphios Makotore
Colonel
Director Army Public Relations
</blockquote>
<h2>More: Pindula News</h2>

Zimbabwe Army Dismisses Mutoko Armed Robbery Reports (Full Text)

At least five women in Mutoko have reportedly been robbed of money and cellphones by Simbai Chikowe popularly known as Madhongi whose strategy was to lure them for bush sex and ends up stealing from them.
Chikowe appeared before Mutoko magistrate Elijah Sibanda on Friday facing theft charges.
Prosecutor Nathan Mujuru alleges that from August last year to January this year, Madhongi would wait for women in bank ques or Mukuru outlets to lure them for bush sex before stealing their handbags where he would get cell phones and money.
Police received reports and arrested Madhongi at his house number 2526 Chinzanga where the mobile phones were recovered.
The matter continues on February 14 after the suspect requested legal representation.
More: Byo24News

Mutoko Man Lures At Least 5 Women For Bush Sex, Robs Them

Jinding Mining Zimbabwe (PVT) LTD, a Chinese owned Zimbabwe registered mining company that is extracting the granite rock from Mutoko has refuted claims that it is <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/01/10/mutoko-villagers-being-evicted-by-granite-mining-companies/">planning to evict 50 villagers</a> to pave way for mining activities. Pindula News presents the company’s statement:
<blockquote>
1. Jinding Mining Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (Jinding) is a Chinese owned Zimbabwe registered mining company with mining interests in the Mutoko area of Zimbabwe. 
2. Jinding has been in Zimbabwe for many years and has always complied with the laws of Zimbabwe with respect to its mining operations. And we have all the legal mining certificates and valid Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate. 
3. There is a malicious and false accusation currently being circulated to the effect that Jinding has not properly compensated two Mutoko families for relocating those families from the Jinding mining claims there. As for the so-called relocation of 50 households, it is even more rumors and slander. The fact is that the mining project only involves relocation of THREE families. 
4. These accusations are completely groundless. Jinding has all the relocation contracts and payment proof of proper compensation for the two families relocated by Jinding arising out of its mining operations. The compensation amounts cited in the media stories are false. The exact amounts were determined with mutual consent to the satisfaction of the relocated families and with the knowledge of the local councilor, community and representatives of villagers. 
5. Jinding takes great exception to these malicious and false accusations and reserves its right to take the appropriate legal action against the purveyors of such false allegations. We will also request our lawyer to send a letter to relevant press and request relevant press to clarify the facts to the public and apologize to Jinding Mining.
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Jinding Mining Zimbabwe Speaks On Eviction Of Mutoko Villagers

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has released the rest of the names of victims of a <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/28/full-text-police-identify-8-17-victims-of-fatal-accident/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fatal road traffic accident that happened on 27 December</a> at the 130KM peg along Harare-Nyamapanda road. 
Seventeen people perished in the accident. Below is the list of the rest of the names of the victims.
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li>Anashe Rutsito (3),</li>
<li>Malcom Rutsito (3),</li>
<li>Simbarashe Mapuranga,</li>
<li>Audrey Mavhunga (30),</li>
<li>Tawanda Chikuza (2),</li>
<li>Makomborero Rutsito (13),</li>
<li>and Takudzwa Charuva (26) all from Mutoko;</li>
<li>Paidamoyo Dzikamidzi (33) and</li>
<li>Prosper Karimupfumbi (26) from Mudzi, and</li>
<li>Grace Madzinga (30) of Kadoma</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqZXWRhXMAAMSqD?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900"/>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqZXcMXXIAAN_6c?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900"/>
In a statement, National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi also noted that Kupakwashe Rutsito (11) is recovering at Mutoko District Hospital.
It was earlier reported that he had also died in the accident.
Police earlier reported that a white Isuzu KB Double Cab which was travelling towards Murewa had a head-on collision with a white BMW vehicle going in the opposite direction.

Ten More Victims Of Mutoko Accident Identified

ZRP in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mutoko">Mutoko</a> arrested 7 women who were protesting against poor education standards, VOA reports. The women, among them a 6-month-old baby, stagged a demo and handed their petition to the Mutoko District Council before they were arrested and charged with:
<blockquote>participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.</blockquote>
The women were represented by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Lawyers_for_Human_Rights">Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’</a> Nontokozo Tachiona-Dube who applied for bail for their release. The women were remanded to 5 March 2020.
More: <a href="https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-republic-police/5299503.html">VOA </a>

ZRP In Mutoko Arrest 7 Women, Including A 6 Months Old Baby For Protesting Against Poor Education Standards

Zanu-PF supporters who attended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rally in Mutoko over the weekend are reported to have have been blocked from leaving the venue by the police. The police wanted the restive supporters to continue seating until the President had completed his speech and all the top leadership had exited the rally venue. However, the supporters were complaining that they needed time to walk the long distances back to their homes.
A senior party official was heard saying,
<blockquote>I know you have walked long distances to come here, but just hold on until the leadership has gone.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/06/police-block-zanu-pf-supporters-from-leaving-ed-rally/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

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