Two children from Ngwaro Village, under Chief Mapanzure in Zvishavane, tragically drowned on Saturday while swimming in an abandoned open-pit chrome mine.
The young victims have been identified as 9-year-old Tendai Hove and her 11-year-old cousin, Leeroy Makungwe.
Village head Maxwell Moyo confirmed to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/two-children-drown-in-an-open-pit-chrome-mine-in-a-zvishavane-village/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> that the incident occurred around 11 AM on that fateful day. He said:
<blockquote>
The children had been sent on an errand but were drawn to the mine pits left behind from the extraction activities.
We recovered their bodies around 3 PM the same day.
The other children who were with them were swimming in the shallower areas and managed to escape unharmed.
</blockquote>
Moyo said that the mine is owned by a group of local investors operating under the ZimAsset framework, with support from Chinese investors.
He said the community has been calling on the miners to fill in the pits after depleting the resource, especially since the mine is located just 800 meters from the village. Unfortunately, these pleas have gone unheeded.
A villager, who wished to remain anonymous, said there had been longstanding concerns about the potential for such an accident. The community feels increasingly powerless to address the issue, despite their fears. Said the villager:
<blockquote>
The miners leave behind these open pits that fill with water during this season, attracting children to play in them.
Mining is happening alarmingly close to our homes, and despite our complaints, nothing changes.
The issue has become too political to resolve. We are left vulnerable, and our community, as well as our livestock, are at risk from these hazardous pits.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Two children (9-year-old Tendai and 11-year-old Leeroy) drowned in a chrome mine in Zvishavane. They were playing in the mine when it happened. Other children with them escaped. The mine is owned by local and Chinese investors. The community has been asking the miners to fill in the pits for safety, but nothing has been done. Villagers are worried about more accidents happening. They feel helpless and scared. The issue is becoming political. The community and their animals are at risk because of the dangerous pits.

Two Children Drown In Abandoned Chrome Mine In Zvishavane

A Zvishavane man lost US$15,000 to con artists in Harare who used a hoax known in Shona as “chadonha.” In this scheme, scammers drop a bundle of banknotes in the path of their victim.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zvishavane-man-loses-us15k-after-falling-to-chadonha-scam/">ZimLive</a>, when the victim picks up the money, believing they’ve found it by chance, they are confronted by the scammers who claim they saw it first.
The scammers then lure the victim to a secluded place under the pretext of sharing the money, where the victim ends up losing both the bait money and their own cash.
In this case, the victim was Luckson Daka, aged 43. One of the suspects, Wellington Nhiwatiwa, 46, appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Isheanesu Matova, charged with fraud.
Nhiwatiwa challenged his placement on remand and was expected back in court on Thursday for a ruling on his application.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu alleged that on November 19 this year, Nhiwatiwa and seven other suspects, who are still at large, approached Daka as he got off an Inter-Africa bus from Zvishavane.
They dropped a bundle of fake notes wrapped in plastic in front of him.
The court heard that they lured Daka to the Harare Kopje mountain, claiming they would share the money with him.
While at the Kopje, another group of five men appeared, pretending to be police officers.
They reportedly took US$15,000 from Daka’s satchel and vanished.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man from Zvishavane lost $15,000 to tricksters in Harare who used a fake money trick called "chadonha." The scammers dropped fake money in front of the victim and then lured him to a secluded place, where they took his real money. The victim was Luckson Daka, 43 years old. One suspect was caught and charged with fraud, while seven others are still on the run. The suspect challenged being held in custody and was waiting for a court ruling. This happened on November 19 when the scammers approached Daka as he got off a bus from Zvishavane.

Zvishavane Man Loses US$15,000 In "Chadonha" Trick In Harare

Talent Priveledge Sibanda (27), from Madhuve Village, Mberengwa, was sentenced to an effective 26 months in prison for killing her newborn baby about two weeks ago.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Sibanda was arraigned before the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court facing infanticide charges.
Sometime in June 2023, Sibanda separated from her husband, but they later reunited in February 2024 while she was pregnant by another man.
On October 27, 2024, around 7 PM, Sibanda gave birth to a baby girl while she was alone. She then strangled the infant and buried the body in a pit in a nearby field, just a few meters from her home.
The matter came to light when Sibanda’s niece noticed that she was no longer pregnant and reported the incident to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest.
During the investigation, Sibanda revealed to the authorities the location where she had buried the child.
The court sentenced Sibanda to 36 months of imprisonment, but 10 months of the sentence were suspended for 5 years on the condition of good behaviour. As a result, Sibanda will serve an effective 26 months in prison.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A woman named Talent Priveledge Sibanda was sentenced to 26 months in prison for killing her newborn baby. She separated from her husband, got pregnant by another man, and then strangled the baby girl when she was born. She buried the baby in a nearby field. Her niece noticed Sibanda was no longer pregnant and reported her to the police. Sibanda told the authorities where she buried the baby. Sibanda was sentenced to 36 months in prison, but 10 months were suspended if she behaved well. So, she will serve 26 months in prison.

Mberengwa Woman Sentenced To 26 Months In Prison For Infanticide

Edwin Muchekayawa, a Zvishavane man, was on 12 October 2024, convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison by the High Court sitting at Gweru for murder.
Muchekayawa was 22 years old when he committed the crime, and the victim, Passmore Shumba, was 25.
Allegations were that on 19 August 2023, Muchekayawa went to Shumba’s homestead around 11 PM. Shumba was married to Muchekayawa’s ex-girlfriend.
Upon arrival, Muchekayawa knocked on the window and called Shumba’s name. When Shumba came out, Muchekayawa struck him with a stone using a catapult on the ribs.
Muchekayawa then fled the scene, and Shumba did not see who had assaulted him.
The following morning at around 7 AM, Shumba, Tawanda Shumba, and Chengeto Nyadzo tracked Muchekayawa’s footprints in an attempt to find the person who had shot Shumba with a catapult the previous day. The spoor led to Muchekayawa’s homestead.
They threatened to report Muchekayawa to the headman. As they were leaving his homestead, Muchekayawa armed himself with an axe and chased them.
The men ran in different directions. The deceased fell to the ground, whereupon Muchekayawa caught up with him and struck him with the axe once on the head, behind the ear, leading to his death.
Muchekayawa fled the scene soon after, leaving the deceased lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Muchekayawa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man named Edwin Muchekayawa was sent to prison for 24 years for hurting and killing his ex-girlfriend's husband named Passmore Shumba. He first attacked Shumba with a stone, then later with an axe. Shumba's friends found him hurt and followed footprints to Muchekayawa's home. Muchekayawa tried to attack them with an axe, and in the confusion, he ended up killing Shumba. Muchekayawa then ran away but was caught by the police and sent to jail for his actions.

Zvishavane Man Murders Ex-Girlfriend's Husband, Sentenced To 24 Years

Prominent Zvishavane businessman and bus operator Alphabet Takawira Chikozho reportedly took his own life by shooting himself in the mouth.
Chikozho is said to have committed suicide at his residence in the Caravan Park suburb of Zvishavane, late Thursday afternoon.
According to The Herald, the incident occurred shortly after Chikozho had lost a civil court case in which he had been fighting non-payment of debts.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Midlands Province, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the matter was being handled by police at the national level.
It is alleged that Chikozho who once ran a fleet of over 20 buses under Chikozho Bus Services and retail shops was now insolvent and had been in and out of courts over non-payment of debts. Said a source:
<blockquote>
When he shot himself yesterday evening, he had just lost a civil court case where he had been told to repay a substantial debt.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Prominent businessman Alphabet Takawira Chikozho took his own life by shooting himself in the mouth in Zvishavane. He did this after losing a court case about debt. Chikozho had many buses and shops but was now in debt and facing legal issues. The police are investigating the incident. Chikozho's death is a sad reminder of the impact of financial troubles on mental health. It is important to seek help if feeling overwhelmed by debt.

Bus Operator Chikozho Commits Suicide Amidst Ballooning Debts

A 22-year-old man who allegedly killed his 39-year-old wife over an undisclosed issue before fleeing from the scene has been arrested.
In a statement, the ZRP said Stanley Mahachi (22) fatally struck his wife Dadirai Mudarikwa (39) with a spade in the head on 25 January 2024.
Mahachi was arrested on Tuesday at his mother’s homestead in Mawarire Village, Mwenezi, Masvingo. Police said:
<blockquote>
ZRP confirms the arrest of Stanley Mahachi (22) who was being sought in connection with a case of murder which occurred at a house in Zvishavane on 25/01/24 in which the suspect struck his wife, Dadirai Mudarikwa (39), with a spade on the head following a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue. The suspect was arrested at his mother’s homestead in Mawarire Village, Mwenezi, Masvingo on 30/01/24.
</blockquote>
A report claims that in Zimbabwe, 42.7% of women between the ages of 15-49 have experienced domestic violence in their lives which often results in loss of life.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Man (22) Who Killed Wife (39) Arrested At Mother's Homestead

A 42-year-old shop owner in Zvishavane was shot in the head and killed by an armed robber at her home on 13 December, police have said.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner said that the unidentified gunman, who was wearing a mask, accosted Mercy Hwahwa’s employee and force-marched to her home.
On arrival, the robber claimed he had inside information that Hwahwa had cash received from a savings club, but she insisted that she didn’t have any money.
The suspect then shot Hwahwa in the head at point-blank range and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and two cellphones. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may assist in the investigation of a case of murder of a shop owner, Mercy Hwahwa (42) who was brutally killed on 13th December 2023 at a house in Maglas, Zvishavane.
An unknown suspect who was armed with an unidentified pistol and wearing a face mask intercepted Mercy Hwahwa’s employee who was coming from the shop to Mercy Hwahwa’s residence to hand over cash realized from daily sales.
The suspect forced the employee to show him Mercy Hwahwa’s residence saying that he had inside information that Mercy Hwahwa had cash received from a savings club (mukando).
When the suspect arrived at the house, he demanded cash from Mercy Hwahwa, who denied having any and then shot her in the head with a pistol.
The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash, two cellphones and US$100.00 realized from daily sales at the shop.
Mercy Hwahwa was taken to Zvishavane Hospital where she died upon admission.
Anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk at (0242) 70 3631 or WhatsApp at 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>
Armed robbery cases have been on the rise in recent years as businesspeople increasingly shun the banking system and prefer to keep their cash at business premises or in their homes.
Reports suggest that robbers usually get inside information from employees or relatives of their targets and use that information to carry out their evil enterprises.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Armed Robber Brutally Kills Zvishavane Businesswoman

Police in Midlands Province have urged members of the public to use public transport when in transit after a man who was travelling from Zvishavane to Sandawana was allegedly kidnapped and held hostage by two women who took turns to “rape” him for two days.
ZRP spokesperson in Midlands Province, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/taskforce-to-curtail-supply-of-illicit-drugs-established/">Chronicle</a> that the man also lost valuables including cash and mobile phones.
Insp Mahoko said the man boarded a lift in Zvishavane which had three occupants including two females and a male driver. He said:
<blockquote>
On 10 October around 10 AM, the complainant boarded a Toyota Fun cargo vehicle at OK Supermarket intending to go to Sandawana.
The vehicle was being driven by a male driver while there were two other female passengers on board.
</blockquote>
Insp Mahoko said along the way, the driver made a sudden turn and went along Drummond Road.
The two female passengers who were seated at the back with the complainant allegedly sprayed an unknown substance on his face and he fell unconscious.
When he gained consciousness, he found himself in a room with the three suspects with his hands and legs tied.
They allegedly forced the man to swallow a brown pill before the two female suspects took turns to have protected sexual intercourse with him while the male suspect stood guard.
The female suspects would allegedly harvest his semen which they tied in condoms and kept them in a cooler box. Said Insp Mahoko:
<blockquote>
The suspects also searched the complainant and took cash amounting to US$453 and his two cellphones before spraying him with the same substance and again he fell unconscious.
</blockquote>
He said the following day, the suspects went through the same process, forced him to take the brown pill and took turns to have sexual intercourse with him and harvesting the semen.
The suspects later assaulted their victim with a metal object and he fell unconscious before they drove off. Said Insp Mahoko:
<blockquote>
After gaining consciousness, the complainant walked for about 2 kilometers until he reached the Grain Marketing Board in Zvishavane and managed to make a report.
</blockquote>
Police have appealed to members of the public who may have information pertaining to the whereabouts of the three suspects to approach any nearest police station.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Women Kidnap Man And "Rape" Him Over Two Days, Harvesting His Semen

Communities along the Runde River under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane have said illegal mining in the area has resulted in massive siltation of their water sources.
Chief Masunda told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local-news/article/200007294/zvishavane-villagers-bemoan-river-siltation">Southern Eye</a> that the issue needs to be addressed urgently as dams and rivers are now under serious threat. Said Chief Masunda:
<blockquote>
The issue of illegal mining in our community is of major concern and needs to be addressed now.
This is causing the siltation of our water bodies and the holding capacity of our rivers and dams has been reduced drastically.
Water is essential to life on our planet.
</blockquote>
Illegal mining activities are rampant across the country and the miners habitually pollute water sources when discharging mine effluent.

Zvishavane Villagers Bemoan Runde River Siltation

Thirty-four (34) villagers from Zvishavane’s Mudereri Village have lost part of their ancestral land after it was sold to FBC Building Society by the Runde Rural District Council.
FBC has started developing the land to create a residential suburb and the villagers claimed that the financial institution did not notify them beforehand.
The villagers then tried to seek the court’s intervention to prevent the conversion of their ancestral land into a residential suburb.
In their court application, they cited the Local Government Ministry, Runde Rural District Council, Zvishavane Town Council, Chief Masunda, Zvishavane Rural District Administrator, and the FBC Building Society as respondents.
However, High Court judge, Justice Siyabona Paul Musithu, ruled that the villagers were trying to deceive the court and threw out the application.
The judge noted that there was an existing court order granting respondents authority to carry on, hence his court could not make another ruling on the same issue. Said Justice Musithu:
<blockquote>
There was therefore clearly no reason why a claim involving the same parties and same cause of action had to be split.
Such an approach leads one to reach the conclusion that some mischief was intended.
The mischief behind the splitting of the claim is not difficult to decipher. It was meant to deceive the court.
If those matters were placed before a different judge one judge could be persuaded to declare annexation of the plaintiff’s lands by the defendants unlawful.
The plaintiff’s claim be and is hereby dismissed.
</blockquote>
The villagers initially approached the court in 2020 after their land was put under the Zvishavane Town Council by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.
In response, the RRDC, Zvishavane Town Council and the FBC Building Society had filed a special plea, arguing that the matter should be dismissed as Justice Clement Phiri had already dismissed a similar application that the villagers had filed before. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zvishavane-villagers-lose-ancestral-land/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Zvishavane Villagers Lose 'Ancestral Land'

A prominent legal advisor in Zvishavane was admitted to the hospital after consuming poison at his ex-wife’s residence after being denied access to children.
The Herald reports that Mr Promise Mariba visited Angeline Phiri last week Monday with the intention of seeing their two children but he was denied access.
A heated argument ensued with the in-laws saying Mariba had to pay lobola first for him to have access to the children.
Witnesses said Mariba then threatened to hang himself at their gate but his in-laws did not take him serious.
He then left, briefly, and came back with rat poison but his ex-wife still did not bow to his demands. Mariba then consumed the poison and was rushed to the hspital.
Mariba told The Herald that he was now recovering from home after being discharged. He said:
<blockquote>_But I am ok now . . . they were refusing to release my kids, so there was no reason for me to live after spending a couple of months without seeing my own kids._
_I did not want to take them for good, I only wanted to have access to my kids for the weekend but they have been refusing so I had to take that decision (drinking poison)._</blockquote>
Mariba who is now a bachelor after three failed marriages claimed that the other two ex-wives released the kids but this other one was adamant he would not see them. He said:
<blockquote>_I wanted to have my kids for a while and go to church with them for a prayer but she were conniving with her parent to deny me access to my own kids, so I went to buy some rat poison which I then consumed in front of them in protest._</blockquote>
He added that he over-reacted and is grateful to God that he is alive and that he had temporary access to his kids as they are already back with their mother.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/man-consumes-poison-at-exs-residence/">The Herald</a>

Prominent Legal Advisor Consumes Poison At Ex-Wife's Residence

A man collapsed and died while giving a graveside eulogy in the Ziboza communal lands in Zvishavane last week.
Muchakachaka Dube was given the floor to speak during the burial of his friend, Obert Msipa, brother of former Midlands Provincial Governor and National Hero, Cephas Msipa, but soon collapsed and died.
The tragic incident was confirmed by the late Msipa’s son, Douglas Msipa, who was the master of ceremonies during the burial. He said:
<blockquote>I was the master of ceremonies at the funeral of my father’s brother, Cde Obert Msipa when I made a line-up of people who would give speeches at the funeral wake.
Initially, I had omitted Mr Dube but we later realised he was a close friend to the late so we decided to give him a slot.</blockquote>
Msipa said at first everyone thought emotions had got the better of Dube and some mourners picked him up hoping he would be okay. He added:
<blockquote>There were two nurses who were also attending the funeral who moved in to try to render first aid but it could not help, everyone was dumfounded to learn he had died just like that.
Mr Dube’s body was taken to the hospital and we are waiting for the results of the post-mortem so that we know the actual cause of the death.
It could be shocking but what is surprising is that he had spent the previous night at the funeral wake looking okay.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/man-collapses-dies-giving-graveside-speech/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Man Collapses, Dies Giving Graveside Speech In Zvishavane

Two Zishavane men were remanded in custody to April 23 and 24, respectively in connection with a murder case.
It is alleged that the accused and their accomplices, who are still at large, armed themselves with machetes and knives and forced Zvishavane villagers into a disused Gudo mine to extract gold for them.
One villager is reported to have escaped and mobilised other villagers who confronted the gang in a bloody fight which led to the death of one villager.  
Zvishavane provincial magistrate Shepherd Mjanja charged the two of the suspects Walter Mapfumo (28) and Ignatious Bungu (23) with murder.
Prosecuting, Taurai Muzvimwe told the court that the accused and their accomplices who are still at large, armed with machetes and homemade knives met the now deceased Trust Chikela, who was in the company of Brighton Munyoro and Manford Gunya along a path near Mimosa Mine turn-off, Zvishavane.
The accused are reported to have forced the villagers into a disused mine that was about 200 metres away. Munyoro is reported to have escaped and informed nearby villagers of the kidnapping.
When the villagers were fighting the gang, the hostages including Chikela tried to escape but were seen by the gang. Chikela was pushed back into the approximately 75 metres deep disused mineshaft by the gang where he died instantly.
A police report was made resulting in investigations that led to the arrest of the accused.
<h3>Related:</h3>
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</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/04/machete-wielding-panners-commandeer-villagers-into-disused-mine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">News Day</a>

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