A 13-year-old boy is accused of contaminating a river that provides water to both livestock and residents from at least five villages in Ward 7, Mutetenwa, Beitbridge, by allegedly pouring a toxic herbicide into its waters last Monday.
The specific herbicide involved is still undergoing verification by experts.
According to Nelson Mohadi, the senior village head of Mutetenwa, fish in the stream have begun to die, and a donkey that drank from the river succumbed to the poison on the same day. Said Mohadi:
<blockquote>
The community is in panic mode following this incident and we have since notified the police and the local Civil Protection Committee about the incident.
In the interim, we advise villagers not to drink or use the water from domestic chores until tests from the Civil Protection Committee confirm the extent of the damage.
</blockquote>
Kraal head Siphiwe Muleya, from the Tshambudzi area where the boy resides, said that local authorities are working with the police to determine the motive behind the incident.
She further urged all community members to rely on borehole water and refrain from fishing in the river until the situation is fully resolved. She said:
<blockquote>
We picked up the container of the herbicide which we have given to agriculture experts to verify and will also help in investigations.
The police are now handling the matter and the parents of the same boy have since been notified about this worrying incident.
</blockquote>
She said the dead fish from the river had been buried to prevent any risk of human consumption. Added Chibi:
<blockquote>
We are already moving around villages warning people about the danger from the herbicide that was poured into the river.
At the same time, I want to strongly encourage community members to avoid drinking water or fishing from this river until it has been confirmed to be safe by experts.
</blockquote>
A communal farmer in the La Tenis area, Nyelisani Sibanda, said she immediately alerted the local traditional leaders after noting the river had turned purple. She said:
<blockquote>
I was working in my field which is just close to the river and when I came here to get water it had turned purple.
A few minutes later some fish were dying on their own. I immediately called the local traditional leaders who then informed the rest of the community leaders about this incident. They then said that we must not drink or fetch water from the river.
We chased away some livestock that were drinking water from this point, unfortunately, one donkey died near our business centre.
</blockquote>
Police Officer Commanding Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Melusi Ncube said they sent a team to investigate the matter, which is working with the Civil Protection Committee members.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/community-panics-as-boy-13-poisons-water-source-with-herbicide/">The Herald</a>

Pindula News

A 13-year-old boy poured poison into a river in Mutetenwa, Beitbridge, harming fish, livestock, and residents in five villages. The herbicide used is being tested by experts. Village leaders are working with the police to find out why the boy did this. They are urging people to avoid using the water until it is safe. Traditional leaders are warning the community about the danger and monitoring the situation. The police are investigating the incident to protect the people and animals that rely on the river for water.

13-Year-Old Boy Poisons River That Serves Five Villages In Beitbridge

A Harare City Council official has revealed that people exposing corruption at Town House are being threatened with death, while some have been poisoned.
Speaking before the Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2024 to investigate suspected financial mismanagement and corruption in Harare dating back to 2017, acting Human Capital Director Bosman Matengarufu claimed he had received death threats, survived an assassination attempt, and was poisoned as corrupt cartels sought to silence him.
Matengarufu also recounted an incident in 2020 when he was chased out of a workshop in Chinhoyi by an individual armed with a gun. He said (via <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/death-threats-rock-town-house/">Business Times</a>):
<blockquote>
The City of Harare is a toxic environment. I was poisoned twice and it’s on record. I was chased away at a Chinhoyi workshop with a gun to deter me from exposing corruption in any way.
</blockquote>
When asked by Justice Maphios Cheda, the chairman of the Commission, about the reason for his poisoning, Matengarufu responded:
<blockquote>
I was demoted after Marara’s return from allegations of corruption. I was acting in his place during his absence due to corruption charges. After (Matthew) Marara returned, I was demoted, and that’s when the fight began.
</blockquote>
He said Marara created a fictitious position within the council and allocated himself a substantial sum of money, sparking controversy. Said Matengarufu:
<blockquote>
There are matters within the council you should never tamper with if you want to live. (These are) land, appointments, water, procurement.
</blockquote>
Matengarufu’s testimony appears to support speculation that one of the key council officials, who had threatened in a letter to the Local Government Ministry to expose rampant corruption at the local authority, was killed by the cartel.
The official, Funny Machipisa, who served as District Administration Manager, died under mysterious circumstances last year. His family believes his death was the result of foul play.
Before his death, Machipisa had voiced concerns about being pushed out of his position to silence him. In a letter dated July 9, 2024, he revealed that he was being targeted for opposing the councillors’ push to allocate residential stands in affluent areas rather than their respective wards.
Machipisa had warned that their plan to remove him was designed to prevent him from testifying before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare City Council official exposed corruption and got threatened and poisoned. Bosman Matengarufu told a Commission about death threats and assassination attempts. He was demoted after pointing out corruption. Another official, Funny Machipisa, died mysteriously after speaking out against corruption. Some say he was killed by a corrupt group. The council is a dangerous place with corruption in things like land and appointments. Matengarufu's testimony supports rumors of corruption and threats at the council.

Harare Council Official Poisoned And Threatened With Death For Exposing Corruption

A two-year-old girl tragically lost her life after allegedly drinking an unknown substance she had found in a garbage pit while playing outside her home.
The incident occurred on Friday in Crowborough Phase 3, Harare, and was confirmed by the police.
In light of this unfortunate event, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged parents to closely supervise their young children to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. Police said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP implores parents and guardians to monitor children and to leave them in the custody of a responsible person to ensure their safety.
This follows an incident which occurred in Crowborough Phase 3, Harare, in which a two year old female minor died on 20/12/24 after allegedly consuming an unknown substance.
The substance had been picked from a container in a garbage pit during child play. The victim was taken to a local clinic where she passed away upon admission.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A two-year-old girl in Zimbabwe died after drinking something she found in the garbage. The police confirmed the incident and warned parents to watch their kids closely. They said kids should always be supervised and looked after by a responsible person. The girl was taken to the hospital but sadly died. It's important for parents to keep an eye on their kids to avoid such tragic accidents in the future.

Toddler Dies After Drinking Substance Picked From Garbage Pit

A suspected food poisoning incident at Riverdale Academy in Bulawayo has led to dozens of pupils and some parents being hospitalised with stomach cramps and other food-borne illness symptoms.
According to parents who spoke to <a href="https://bmetro.co.zw/poisoning-scare-at-school-dinner-dozens-hospitalised-for-stomach-cramps/">B-Metro</a> and preferred anonymity, the issue began after a dinner event on Saturday, where several pupils started vomiting and complaining of cramps upon returning home. Said a parent:
<blockquote>
On Saturday, my son attended a dinner party at the school. Afterwards, he began experiencing severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
He became so weak that we had to rush him to the hospital, where he was admitted and given IV fluids.
At first, I thought he was the only one affected, but then I heard from the school’s WhatsApp group that many other parents were facing similar situations with their children.
The incident occurred on Saturday, and as of today (Thursday), the school has yet to release a comprehensive report regarding the near-fatal event involving our children.
Parents are now demanding an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident.
We are deeply concerned by the school’s lack of transparency and responsiveness to this serious matter.
The failure to provide timely and detailed information has eroded our trust in the school’s ability to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.
</blockquote>
Another parent who spoke to B-Metro said that she has lost a lot of money trying to get her daughter treated. She said:
<blockquote>
My daughter’s condition was so critical after the party that I had to borrow money from friends and relatives to afford treatment at a reputable hospital. The incident has left me in significant debt.
I believe the school must take immediate action, as numerous students and parents are currently hospitalised.
The financial burden and emotional distress caused by this incident are immense, and it is imperative that the school takes responsibility for its negligence.
We are extremely distressed by this incident and are worried about the potential long-term health implications for our child.
We believe that the school has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, and we are deeply disappointed that this incident has occurred.
</blockquote>
Another parent speculated that the incident may have been caused by poor hygiene practices on the part of the caterers. She said:
<blockquote>
I suspect that the incident was a case of food poisoning, possibly caused by rust from the cooking pots or the misuse of baking soda.
We demand a full refund from the school and call for strict action against the caterers responsible for the event.
This negligence has resulted in significant health risks and financial burdens for many families.
</blockquote>
Riverdale Academy Principal Philani Mathe confirmed the suspected food poisoning incident, saying about 1,400 people attended the event, with reports of illness from four students. He said:
<blockquote>
Approximately 1 400 people attended the event, and we have received reports of illness from about four students.
We have been closely monitoring the condition of these students. The school is conducting a thorough investigation and will soon release a statement with definitive information on the causes of these illnesses.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Dozens of students and parents at Riverdale Academy in Bulawayo got sick after a school dinner. Many had stomach cramps and vomiting. Some had to go to the hospital. Parents are upset because the school is not sharing information about what happened. They want an investigation. Some parents had to borrow money for treatment. They think the caterers may be to blame. The school is looking into the situation and will provide more details soon. Around 1,400 people attended the event, and four students got sick. The parents are worried about the long-term effects on their children's health.

Learners Hospitalised After Suspected Food Poisoning At Private School Dinner

Former Zengeza West MP <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Job_Sikhala">Job Sikhala</a> (CCC), has said he was poisoned while in solitary confinement at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
Sikhala, who was set free by a magistrate on Tuesday after spending 595 days in pretrial detention, was reported sick in January and October 2023.
Private doctors had to be called in for tests which Sikhala said are still to be completed.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/sikhala-confirms-prison-cell-poisoning-in-sad-account-of-595-days-detention-at-chikurubi-prison/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> at his home in Chitungwiza, a sprawling settlement about 25km from Harare, said he suspected Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) had poisoned his food during an unannounced search of a cell they were keeping him in. He said:
<blockquote>
News that I had been poisoned during my stay at Chikurubi Maximum Prison is true.
I suspect prison officers who conducted an unannounced search of my cell have poisoned the food that I had received from home.
For my entire stay, I avoided eating prison food as I suspected that the State was looking for an excuse to eliminate me.
</blockquote>
Sikhala said he had to be examined by private doctors after passing stool which had blood deposits while losing considerable weight within a few weeks of noticing that. He added:
<blockquote>
You have to understand that they do not have any form of medication. I had to invite my private doctors to attend to me and rely on my family to buy medication for me.
</blockquote>
Sikhala and another CCC activist Godfrey Karakadzayi Sithole were convicted on the 24th of January 2024 on charges of inciting public violence by Harare Magistrate Tafadzwa Miti.
Miti sentenced Sikhala to serve two years in prison, which she however wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Sikhala Claims Prison Cell Food Poisoning

Local authorities in Ward 31 in Munyathi, Kwekwe, had to disconnect a community borehole after unknown people allegedly threw cyanide and contaminated its water.
Ward 31 Councilor Tichafa Chitate told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/community-borehole-laced-with-cyanide/">Chronicle</a> that two donkeys died instantly after consuming the contaminated water prompting the owner to raise alarm. He said:
<blockquote>
The man was making his donkeys drink water at the water source as it is used by both villagers and their livestock.
Luckily the owner did not drink the water himself but made the donkeys drink and they collapsed and died instantly.
That is when he raised alarm and we decided to disconnect the borehole as a precaution until we ascertain what happened.
The villagers are now facing acute water challenges as the next borehole is far from them. The situation is even worse for livestock.
But we are working with relevant authorities so that the situation be addressed as soon as possible.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Kwekwe District Officer, Daniel Magombedze said the samples tested positive for cyanide. Said Magombedze:
I can confirm that we rushed to Munyathi where we collected samples for testing and they indeed tested positive for poisoning.
We also advised the community to stop using the borehole until a solution is found.

Community Borehole Poisoned In Kwekwe

A priest at St Paul’s Musami High School in Murewa, Mashonaland East Province, appeared in court on Tuesday facing allegations of poisoning the school headmaster.
Ugenio Phiri allegedly laced Richard Hlombe’s tea cup with an unknown substance during a tea break while they were attending a workshop in Harare.
Phiri, who is charged with assault, appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court before magistrate Munashe Chibanda. He denied the charge.
Allegations are that on 1 March 2022, Hlombe, Phiri and others were attending an educational workshop at Msasa Training Bureau.
Prosecutor Tinos Masimba further alleged that while they were queueing to have breakfast at 10 AM at the Msasa Training Bureau campus restaurant, Phiri started distributing cups to other workshop attendees.
A number of guests including Hlombe received a cup from Phiri before they went on to serve themselves.
Hlombe is said to have taken the tea but shortly afterwards, he started having stomach pain.
It is alleged that Hlombe’s situation worsened and decided to seek medication after suspecting food poisoning.
Medical tests were conducted and the medical test results showed that the level of cyanide in his body was increasing.
Hlombe told the court that Phiri had been fighting him because he has problems with a non-Catholic person heading the school.
However, Phiri denied the allegations and said he was never in possession of any form of poison which would have enabled him to commit the alleged crime.
Phiri claimed that Hlombe raised the allegations in an attempt to pre-empt some serious administrative issues that he raised against him.
Phiri is expected to be back in court on 27 September for the continuation of the trial. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/priest-accused-of-poisoning-headmaster/">The Herald</a>

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