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Thirteen ZANU PF supporters, arrested in connection with the death of CCC activist Tinashe Chitsunge in August 2023, were released from pre-trial detention on Tuesday, March 26.
These individuals were arrested before the August 2023 election on charges of public violence, which led to the unfortunate death of Chitsunge in Glen View, Harare.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024867/ccc-activist-murder-zanu-pf-supporters-removed-from-remand">NewsDay</a> reported that the suspects are Cleopas Ndlovu (27), Ruzivo Mapuranga (39), Pauline Chikomo (37), Brian Mutanga (38), Berrington Mutanga (36), Emma Murana (40), Tawanda Muchatisi (29), Tapiwa Kaseke (32), Nyakabau Munashe (18), Tinashe Mabheki (35) Fadzai Madzinga (47), Forget Kanyuru (29) and Phenius Kamwendo (28).
Harare magistrate Simon Kandiyero presided over the case.
The accused, represented by lawyer Steven Chikotora, contended that the State had not presented any witnesses since the case began
The defence asserted that the State could summon the accused individuals when ready for trial.
Magistrate Kandiyero granted release to the 13 individuals on March 22, following a successful argument by their lawyer against continued remand.
The case may resume if prosecutors choose to summon them for trial.
Allegations were that on August 3, 2023, the accused were playing soccer at Chimunhu Grounds in Glen View high-density suburb fully aware that CCC had booked the same venue for a rally.
The court heard that when police tried to disperse the accused persons, they threw stones at the law enforcement officers.
The situation got intense after CCC members arrived for the rally before the two groups started pelting each other with stones.
Chitsunge died in the commotion after allegedly being hit with stones.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

13 ZANU PF Supporters Arrested Over The Death Of A CCC Activist Removed From Remand

Seven opposition CCC youths were arrested for assaulting Deputy Mayor Councillor John Manatsa. They accused him of sympathizing with the party’s disputed interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/seven-ccc-youths-arrested-for-violence/">The Herald</a> reported that the assault occurred during a political meeting at the home of recalled Beitbridge West legislator Morgan Ncube, where the deputy mayor was present. The house serves as the opposition party’s district office.
Anthony Shoko (28), Winston Mugudo (25), Aaron Makumbe (24), Miller Kuwe (31), Decent Dube (35), Forget Chirenda (35), and Cosmas Chimonyo (23) have been charged with assault and theft of R2 500 and US$1 800 from the complainant during the assault.
The suspects were released on $300 000 bail pending trial when they appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on Monday.
They were ordered to report to the nearest police station once a week and not to interfere with State witnesses among other bail conditions.
Representing the State, Ronald Mugwagwa alleged that on March 6, the complainant was attending a CCC meeting at the party offices when the seven accused persons approached him.
Shoko allegedly instructed Councillor Manatsa to exit the house, asserting that he aligns with the faction led by Tshabangu rather than the one led by former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa.
Subsequently, the suspects forcibly lifted Manatsa from his seat, dragged him outside the house, and subjected him to physical assault, throwing him to the ground.
According to court testimony, the accused forcibly removed the complainant from the yard, and threw him onto the road, resulting in back injuries and a swollen left arm.
While assaulting him, the accused individuals reportedly confiscated his shoes, a small bag containing R2 500, US$1 800, and a cell phone.
They then discarded the items over the perimeter wall, having allegedly rummaged through the bag and taken the money.
A report was filed with the police, resulting in the subsequent arrest of the accused individuals a few days later.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Seven CCC Youths Arrested For Intra-party Violence

Former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Petronella Kagonye, has faced a significant legal setback. Her appeal in the Supreme Court has been wholly dismissed, following an earlier loss in the lower court.
Kagonye’s conviction stems from her actions related to 20 computers that were originally donated through her by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
These computers were intended to benefit schools in her Goromonzi South constituency but she diverted them to them for her own use.
 In June 2022, Kagonye received a 36-month prison sentence, with 12 months suspended on the condition of good behaviour for five years.
Additionally, 8 months were further suspended, contingent upon her restitution of US$10,000—the value of the missing laptops.
The High Court found that two of the laptops had been given to tertiary students at a rally, while one laptop was donated to a Ruwa school for the physically impaired. These actions were in direct violation of the trust agreement established with POTRAZ.
The Supreme Court upheld both the conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court. Similarly, the trial court, the Magistrates Court, had also previously convicted and sentenced her.
As a result, Petronella Kagonye remains convicted and will serve the remainder of her sentence, as confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former Cabinet Minister Petronella Kagonye's Appeal Fails

The Bulawayo Division of the High Court has ruled in favour of Sengezo Tshabangu, representing a faction of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
The ruling grants an application to remove Nelson Chamisa and his alleged supporters from the CCC’s Bulawayo office.
According to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/court-orders-removal-of-chamisa-supporters-from-ccc-office/">CITE</a>’s report, High Court Judge Justice David Mangota ruled that although Nelson Chamisa was not physically in Bulawayo, he is unmistakably associated with those who forcefully occupied the CCC provincial party house located at Stand 41, Fort Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. He said:
<blockquote>
Chamisa, in my view, did not have to be in Bulawayo to despoil the applicant of its property. The fact that he could have taken advantage of technological advancements which are currently awash the world over cannot, in the circumstances of the present case, be ruled out,” said the judge in his judgement issued on March 15, 2024.
(Chamisa) must have employed those to achieve his desired end-in view in so far as his despoiling of the applicant is concerned. The old English adage which states, ‘he who acts through another acts himself’ holds true insofar as this application is concerned.
</blockquote>
This comes after CCC filed an urgent court application arguing that Chamisa (former CCC leader), allegedly took control of CCC property through agents, assignees, proxies, or employees.
CCC alleged that supporters of Chamisa painted the property and its precast wall in blue and black colours and also displayed Chamisa’s portrait on the property.
Chamisa opposed the application. He distanced himself from those who “despoiled” the property.
He also stated that he hadn’t physically visited the property since resigning from CCC. Additionally, Chamisa denied involvement in any movement, grouping, or political party.
However, Justice Mangota, said neither Chamisa nor his alleged team denied that the walls of the property were repainted in blue and black. Said the judge:
<blockquote>
Chamisa, in fact, admits the existence of the blue and black colours which appear on the walls of the applicant’s property as depicted in the photographs.
</blockquote>
The judge agreed with CCC and Tshabangu that in despoiling the property, “the dispoliators were acting with, or from, the instructions of Chamisa.” Ruled Mangota:
<blockquote>
The applicant proved its case on a preponderance of probabilities. It is, in the premises, ordered that: 1. The application be and is hereby granted as prayed in the draft order. 2. Each party shall bear its own costs.
</blockquote>
Chamisa decided to leave the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in January 2024.  He asserted that the CCC had been “contaminated” and “hijacked” by the government.
He also accused the ruling ZANU-PF party of being behind this move, alleging that they abused state institutions to undermine the original purpose and mandate of the CCC.
The party, according to Chamisa, had essentially been “criminally handed over” to ZANU-PF.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

High Court Orders Chamisa And His Supporters To Vacate CCC's Bulawayo Offices

Update: A previous version of this article used the phrase “sexual relations with a minor” instead of rape. 
Rape is rape. The words used in our story were wrong, and we’re sorry. We thank you for holding us to account
– –
A 31-year-old man from Karoi has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a grade 7 pupil (a minor) and impregnating her.
According to prosecutors, the accused person was well aware that the young girl could not legally consent to such a relationship.
Following a full trial, the Karoi Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to 15 years of imprisonment.
On an undisclosed date in September 2023, the accused expressed romantic interest to the complainant (the Grade 7 pupil). However, she rejected his advances.
Undeterred, the accused made a second attempt, and this time, the complainant reluctantly agreed. He manipulated her into having unprotected sex with him in a soybean field.
The accused continued raping the minor on multiple occasions.
The complainant’s mother grew suspicious when her daughter exhibited signs of pregnancy.
A visit to a local clinic confirmed the pregnancy. The matter was promptly reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused person.
Until recently, the age of consent in Zimbabwe was 16 years. This meant that individuals aged 16 and above could legally engage in sexual activities.
However, this age limit did not adequately protect young people between the ages of 16 and 18.
On May 24, 2022, the Constitutional Court declared certain provisions of the Criminal Law Code unconstitutional.
The case, known as Kawenda v Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs &amp; Others, was brought by Veritas, and the appellant was represented by Tendai Biti.
The court ruled that the existing sections of the Criminal Law Code did not adequately protect children between the ages of 16 and 18 from sexual exploitation.
These sections criminalized sexual activities with children under 16 but did not address the age group between 16 and 18. The court ordered the government to amend the law within 12 months.
In response to the Constitutional Court ruling, Zimbabwe raised the age of consent from 16 to 18 years.
The new law, which came into effect in January 2024, imposes a jail term for anyone who has sexual relations with a person under 18, regardless of their gender or marital status.
The law was introduced by the government using presidential powers, after a shocking revelation that the country had no legal provision to prosecute cases of statutory rape and sexual exploitation of minors.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) subsequently announced that it would prosecute all cases involving sexual intercourse and indecent acts with young persons under the new law.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

31-year-old Man Jailed 15 Years For Raping Grade 7 Pupil

A 79-year-old man from Igusi village in Umguza has been arrested for allegedly raping his 12-year-old granddaughter multiple times and impregnating her.
The man, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor, is an ex-convict who previously served jail time in 1992 for a similar crime: raping and impregnating his minor daughter.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Matabeleland North Province, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the incident to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/79-year-old-man-rapes-impregnates-minor-granddaughter/">CITE</a>.
He said the accused committed the offence sometime in January 2024 and the matter was reported to the police on March 6, 2024. Said Insp Banda:
<blockquote>
The man raped the minor on four different occasions. When he did it the first time, he threatened that if she spoke out he would kill her.
The minor reported the matter to her grandmother but she was dismissed. The grandmother claimed that the man was no longer sexually active.
The matter later came to light through the school and a report was made to the police. It was reported on March 6, 2024, but the man fled.
</blockquote>
Inspector Glory Banda confirmed that the man was apprehended on March 9, 2024, following an extensive search. He said:
<blockquote>
It is quite worrying that a community can have such vile people who destroy the lives of children like this. This man committed a similar offence to his daughter.
He would come and fetch her from school, claiming that she had to look after her siblings because he would have to attend to other things.
On the way home he would rape her. This happened repeatedly until the daughter fell pregnant.
</blockquote>
A community member who spoke to CITE about the man’s previous arrest decades ago said they started noticing some changes in the man’s daughter and upon talking to her, she disclosed her ordeal. Said the villager:
<blockquote>
She was taken to the police and went for health checkups and they found out that she was pregnant.
He was released from prison and came back to his home. Now he has done the same thing to his granddaughter.
If it wasn’t for the school authorities that held a programme to speak about child abuse, no one would have spoken out about this.
I hope that the community learns a lesson from this. Honestly, someone must have seen or suspected something while the abuse was going on.
But no one spoke out and now this man has impregnated another minor. I just hope the community would be more aware of such dangers within communities so that minors can be protected.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has been grappling with a distressing epidemic of child sexual abuse, particularly the rape of minors.
Between January and September 2022, at least 220 Zimbabwean minors fell victim to rape, according to former Women’s Affairs Minister Sithembiso Nyoni.
These chilling numbers were revealed during the national commemorations of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
These figures represent reported cases, but many similar incidents likely go unreported due to societal pressures and the desire to preserve family reputations.
Tragically, this pattern of abuse often occurs within families, where parents or guardians are either perpetrators or facilitators of the abuse, sometimes concealing these crimes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Man (79) Rapes And Impregnates Granddaughter (12)

Tsungai Makumbe, a Member of Parliament from ZANU PF, has filed a legal case against his estranged partner, Ludia Makuvure, alleging damage to his reputation and unspecified threats, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024707/zanu-pf-mp-drags-lover-to-court">NewsDay</a>.
In court, before magistrate Johanna Mukwesha, it was revealed that the relationship between the two deteriorated when the Mazowe North legislator requested a paternity test for their minor child.
Makumbe sought a protection order against his ex-partner, claiming she harassed him at his workplace at the ZANU PF headquarters.
Additionally, she allegedly spread negative information about him while visiting Parliament.
The legislator also requested that the court prevent the respondent from contacting members of his church, Johane Masowe Chishanu in Marimba, where she supposedly fabricated rumours of a non-existent romantic involvement. Said Makumbe:
<blockquote>
She calls almost every male member of my church and lies to them that I am bedding their wives and threatens my female churchmates, dragging my name into the mud since I am a leader at the church.
</blockquote>
Makumbe argued in court that the respondent had no legitimate reason to visit the ZANU PF headquarters, as she neither worked there nor conducted any business on the party’s premises. Her sole association was as a party member.
Makuvure, in opposition, accused Makumbe of falsehoods before the court. She alleged that he had infected her with HIV and subsequently demanded paternity tests for their minor child.
She asserted her affiliation with Forever Associate Zimbabwe, a shadow organization linked to ZANU PF, emphasizing her unquestionable right to be present at the national party headquarters for meetings.
Makuvure informed the court that she did not object to Makumbe’s request for a paternity test.
However, she requested that the court also order him to provide maintenance for the minor child.
Magistrate Mukwesha granted Makumbe’s application for a protection order against the respondent.
In Zimbabwe, paternity disputes often arise in legal settings related to child maintenance.
In such cases, a parent (or alleged parent) may dispute paternity, claiming they are not the biological father of the child.
DNA testing is commonly used to establish paternity, although it can be relatively expensive.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF MP Granted Protection Order Against Estranged Lover

Maropafadzo Energy, a fuel company operating in Norton, recently found itself in legal trouble due to unauthorized dealings in petroleum products.
The company was arraigned before the Norton Magistrates Court on charges related to selling fuel without the necessary license.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on February 28, 2024, an official from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) visited Maropafadzo Energy’s premises along South Road in Norton.
During the inspection, the ZERA official observed an employee at the service station selling both petrol and diesel to customers.
The official introduced himself and requested the company’s ZERA retail license. However, Maropafadzo Energy failed to provide the required license.
The ZERA official then issued a Notice to the service station, instructing them to produce the ZERA retail license either at the nearest ZERA offices or the nearest police station by March 11, 2024. The company did not comply within the stipulated timeframe.
On March 13, 2024, the ZERA official, accompanied by the police, revisited the service station.
To their dismay, Maropafadzo Energy continued its operations, selling petroleum products to the public without proper authorization.
As a consequence, the service station was prohibited from operating until it rectified its operations per ZERA requirements.
During the inspection, authorities seized 218 litres of petrol and 4,764 litres of diesel from the service station as evidence of illegal activity.
The Norton Magistrates Court found Maropafadzo Energy guilty of dealing in petroleum products without a license and imposed a fine of US$600 on the company as a penalty for its actions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Petroleum Dealer Fined US$600 For Operating Without A Permit

A local businessman stands accused of hiring hitmen based in South Africa to eliminate his partner.
The motive behind this sinister plot stems from a failed business deal involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers.
According to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-zimbabwean-businessman-hires-hitmen-to-kill-partner">The Sunday Mail</a>, two years ago, an agreement was made for the importation of LPG gas tankers from Italy. Unfortunately, the deal went awry, leading to a chain of events with dire consequences.
The suspected hitmen have been identified as Moses Monde (37), Marlvin Manzinde (30), Malvin Tatenda Nyamuranga (33), Nobert Muponda (45) and Joshua Mapuranga (41).
Swift action was taken by detectives from CID Homicide who acted on a tip-off. They apprehended the hitmen before they could carry out their deadly mission.
The intended victim was businessman Oliver Tendai Chipindu (44), whose life was spared due to the timely intervention.
Monde, of Nyamhunga in Kariba, was staying in Dellvile, Germiston; Manzinde of St Mary’s Chitungwiza was residing in Mfuleni, Cape Town; Nyamuranga, of Budiriro 5B in Harare, was in Cape Town; while Muponda Mapuranga was living in Cape Town, South Africa.
The five suspected hitmen were allegedly hired by Obrian Obert Mapurisa to kill Oliver Tendai Chipindu following the 2022 deal. Mapurisa is reported to be on the run.
The Sunday Mail reported sources as saying the five suspects travelled to Harare on the first week of March from South Africa to look for their target.
They then failed to locate him and spent a week staying at a lodge in Avondale, Harare, where they were later arrested.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects are currently assisting police with investigations.
Contract killings, although relatively rare in Zimbabwe, have become a grim reality in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique.
Prominent South Africans who were allegedly killed by hitmen include former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senyo Meyiwa and rapper Kiernan Forbes, known professionally as AKA.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean Businessman Engages Contract Killers To Eliminate Partner

Three poachers from Zambia, who were arrested on Tuesday in Katombola, near the Kazungula border post in Matabeleland North Province, have been jailed for an effective nine years each.
Their crimes included poaching, illegal possession of ivory, and illegal entry into Zimbabwe.
As reported by ZBC News, the three Zambian nationals, Liston Muchelo (22), Alex Kakoma (22) and Martin Silishebo (36), were arrested on Tuesday. At the same time, two of their accomplices were shot dead while the other one escaped.
The poachers were killed during a firefight with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) rangers.
The court heard that on 19 March 2024, the three accused persons and their accomplices entered Zimbabwe from Botswana through a bushy area near the Kazungula border post, an ungazetted entry port.
While in Zimbabwe, the accused persons proceeded to the Magumbeze area on the Zimbabwean side, intending to cross to Zambia.
Whilst the accused persons were at the bank of Zambezi River, they were spotted by Zimparks rangers on patrol who then laid an ambush on them.
The accused persons are said to have fired two shots at game rangers and an exchange of gunfire ensued, claiming the lives of two of the poachers identified as Morris Muchelo and another as just Nickson.
Three of the poachers were then arrested leading to the recovery of 15 elephant tusks weighing 128.82 kilogrammes, firearms and six live rounds of ammunition.
The three, who appeared at Victoria Falls Magistrates Courts on Thursday, March 21, were sentenced to an effective nine years imprisonment each.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Three Poachers From Zambia Sentenced To Nine Years Imprisonment Each

A ZANU PF-affiliated group, Vapostori and MaZion for ED, emphasized that Zimbabweans should avoid generalizing all Vapostori based on the actions of Ishmael Chokurongerwa, commonly known as Madzibaba Ishmael.
Madzibaba Ishmael faces multiple charges, including allegations of denying children basic rights and conducting burials without burial orders.
During a media conference in Harare on Wednesday, 20 March, spokesperson Obey Mapuranga from Vapostori and MaZion for ED expressed confidence that the authorities will handle the matter professionally. Said Mapuranga (<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/not-all-vapositori-are-like-madzibaba-ishmael/">via The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
The people of Zimbabwe should continue to live together in peace and treat allegations against Madzibaba Ishmael as a singular case in which, if he is found guilty, we will engage the leaders of the National Judicial Council of Vapostori to proceed with religious counselling and guidance to the Vapostori families at Lilly Farm so that they continue worshipping, residing and farming in line with the right religious practices and freedom of religion according to the constitution of Zimbabwe.
We understand the seriousness of the allegations against Madzibaba Ishmael and his followers. However, we have full confidence in our law enforcement agencies and the judicial system to address these matters with the utmost professionalism.
</blockquote>
Mapuranga claimed the organisation is committed to upholding the religious and spiritual dictates of the Johanne Masowe Chishanu religion, which is against early marriages and child abuse.
Chokurongerwa and his seven co-accused appeared before Norton magistrate Ms Christine Nyandoro. The court denied them bail, and they were remanded in custody until April 4 for routine proceedings.
The charges against them stem from alleged violations of the Burial and Cremation Act and the Children’s Act.
The co-accused are members of the Johane Masowe-aligned Gore Jena Penyera Nyika. Their names include Shingirai Ngawafune (42), Takavengwa Gwenzi (55), Zebedia Sigudu (49), Devlodge Katsande (47), Wonder Kabaya (41), and Siribinio Chikurunhe (53). All were represented by lawyer Purity Chikanganise during the court proceedings.
The State alleges that Chokurongerwa and his associates conducted funeral services for Hazel Chikunhire and Winlet Kabaya without obtaining proper burial orders for the deceased. This violation raises serious legal concerns, as proper documentation is essential for respectful and lawful burials.
Furthermore, the sect leaders, who acted as guardians for the children residing at the church’s compound in Nyabira, are accused of neglecting, abandoning, and exposing the children to conditions likely to cause unnecessary suffering. The welfare of these vulnerable children is at the heart of the charges brought against the accused.
In a related incident, police raided the farm where the sect operated and rescued 251 children. Shockingly, 246 of these children were found to have no birth certificates, highlighting potential issues related to their legal identity and rights.
Additionally, during the investigation, authorities discovered 16 graves near Madzibaba Ishmael’s shrine. These graves were determined to belong to nine adults and seven children. The circumstances surrounding these burials remain a subject of scrutiny.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Not All Vapositori Are Like Madzibaba Ishmael - Vapositori4ED

Kudakwashe Mpofu, a Zimbabwean and former chief financial officer (CFO) of the North West Development Corporation in South Africa, appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
He faces charges of fraud and contravening the Immigration Act. In 2022, Mpofu, aged 32, allegedly utilised a fraudulent permit to remain in the country.
<a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-03-20-former-north-west-development-corporation-cfo-in-court-for-fraud/">TimesLive</a> reported that after investigations by the police, Mpofu handed himself over on Wednesday and was formally arrested.   
Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced that court proceedings were adjourned to March 26 for bail information and a potential bail application.
She further clarified that Mpofu would remain in custody until his scheduled appearance and the NPA intends to oppose bail while considering additional charges.
On Sunday, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told journalists Mpofu was informed as “far back as June 23 2023 that his purported permanent residence permit is fraudulent”. Said Motsoaledi:
<blockquote>
I’m here today to confirm that, according to our records, Mr Kudakwashe Mpofu’s permanent residence document is fraudulent and was not issued by the Department of Home Affairs and we do not know where he obtained it.
We can confirm the permanent residence permit number appearing on Mr Mpofu’s document does not exist in our systems.
We can further confirm that the control number appearing on Mr Mpofu’s purported document was not issued by the department to him but rather it was legitimately issued to somebody else.
As to how Mr Mpofu came across that control number, we do not know.
</blockquote>
Mpofu tendered his resignation on Monday this week, and on March 10, the Sunday World reported that he was vigorously opposing the Home Affairs Department’s efforts to deport him.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former North West Development Corporation CFO, Kudakwashe Mpofu, Arrested

Henrietta Rushwaya, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, faced accusations related to a mine sale involving an Indian investor. She was granted bail of US$500 by a Harare magistrate on Wednesday, as reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/miners-boss-henrietta-rushwaya-out-on-us500-bail-after-fraud-charges/">ZimLive</a>.
Following her Tuesday arrest, Rushwaya was released into her lawyer’s custody. The Harare magistrate, Stanford Mambanje, cited the absence of compelling reasons from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to deny her bail. 
She will be back in court on April 10.
According to Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, on April 2, 2021, Henrietta Rushwaya invited Ashok Jain, the chairman of the NV Group of Companies based in New Delhi, India. The purpose of this invitation was to discuss potential investment in a gold mine located in Umpfurudzi.
It is alleged that Rushwaya was aware of the impending expiration of a special grant issued to her, which was set to lapse on May 2, 2021.
Allegedly, Rushwaya, who had connected with Jain through Asif Adil, informed him that she could facilitate business opportunities in Zimbabwe. These opportunities included ventures related to liquor distribution, establishing a distillery, and setting up an ethanol plant.
According to court proceedings, Rushwaya requested US$35,000 from Jain as a prerequisite for initiating the establishment of his business in Zimbabwe.
Additionally, it is alleged that on October 4, 2021, Jain met Rushwaya in New Delhi, and she received the requested sum of money.
During the same month, Rushwaya extended an invitation to Jain and his son, Varun Jain, to visit Zimbabwe for a business meeting. Said Mutsokoti:
<blockquote>
During that visit, Rushwaya allegedly informed Jain that she had a gold mine in Mashonaland Central which she could sell to him.
She took Jain and his son to Umpfurudzi in Mashonaland Central and showed them the alleged mine which she claimed was rich in gold and was on 420 hectares.
</blockquote>
Allegedly, Rushwaya proposed selling the mine to Jain for a sum of US$350,000. On December 26, 2021, Rushwaya requested the initial payment of US$175,000 from Jain for the mine purchase. This transaction was facilitated by a representative known solely as Richard. Said Mutsokoti:
<blockquote>
On different dates between January 10, 2022, and May 2022, Rushwaya misrepresented to the complainant that she was preparing for mining to resume and she was paid various amounts of money totalling US$615,000 by the complainant when in actual fact she was doing no such process.
On May 12, 2022, she further demanded the second instalment of US$175,000 for the purchase of the Umpfurudzi gold mine and the money was deposited into Relm Mining Syndicate’s CBZ Account 26160480020 and US$3,000 was transferred into her personal CBZ Harare account.
</blockquote>
Rushwaya allegedly provided a fraudulent geologist’s report claiming the Umpfurudzi mine lacked gold deposits, intending to divert Jain’s attention to another mine in Shangani.
Through the continued misrepresentation, Jain was allegedly defrauded of over US$1 million.
Rushwaya is represented by his lawyer Oliver Marwa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Henrietta Rushwaya Granted US$500 Bail After Arrest On US$1 Million Fraud Charges

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

On 06 June 2022, a University of Zimbabwe academic passed away at Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa’s shrine.
The postmortem results, which were delivered to the family on Monday, indicate that the cause of death was poisoning.
According to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/uz-prof-was-poisoned-at-madzibaba-ishamels-shrine-family-demanding-his-30-cattle-two-vehicles-questions-conduct-of-nyabira-police-over-case/">H-Metro</a>, the postmortem results were retained at Nyabira Police Station for the past two years. 
Prof Muwati’s family is currently attempting to retrieve 30 cattle and two vehicles (including a Honda Fit and a grinding mill) that they assert belonged to the late Professor but vanished after his demise. 
Additionally, he is among numerous individuals believed to have been buried without a burial order at the Lily Farm compound in Nyabira.
His family informed H-Metro that they attempted to file a report with the police against Madzibaba Ishmael, suspecting foul play. However, their efforts were thwarted by the Nyabira police.
Subsequently, Prof Muwati’s body was exhumed by the family and reinterred at his rural home in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
The postmortem results, delivered to the family two years after his death, revealed that the late Prof Muwati had been poisoned.
Martin Muwati, the spokesperson for the Muwati family, stated that they now intend to retrieve his property from the compound. Said Martin:
<blockquote>
Something suspicious has been happening in Nyabira. Our relative died in 2022 and we were never given the postmortem results only to be called by the current Nyabira ZRP Officer In Charge yesterday (on Monday) to collect them.
We tried in vain to lodge a police report against Madzibaba Ishmael, following the death of Prof Muwati at his shrine in 2022.
The Officer in Charge, Musekiwa, blocked us saying (Madzibaba Ishmael’s) team was violent, and we felt threatened, but we now know that the issue was to stop us from collecting our late relative’s property.
Prof had 30 cattle, two vehicles that included a Honda Fit, a grinding mill, and a laptop but all these were never handed over to us.
Hanzi akafa asina chaakanga ainacho. It is now surfacing that Madzibaba Ishmael had been collecting everything of value from his followers, who include the late Prof Muwati.
</blockquote>
Martin stated that Professor Muwati’s personal belongings, including bank cards, were never located.
On June 6, 2022, Professor Muwati was discovered deceased under mysterious circumstances.
Shortly thereafter, he was interred in a shallow grave at Lily Farm. However, his relatives subsequently requested the exhumation of his remains.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

UZ Professor Who Died At Madzibaba Ishmael's Shrine Was Poisoned

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya has been arrested on allegations related to an undisclosed mining transaction. The police, however, have chosen not to disclose any details until her court appearance. 
On Tuesday evening, Rushwaya was in custody, cooperating with the ongoing investigations.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/henrietta-rushwaya-arrested/">The Herald</a>: He said:
<blockquote>
We can confirm that Henrietta Rushwaya is assisting police with investigations following a report made by a certain complainant about a purported mining transaction. So far investigations are in progress and these are the details we can release as of now.
</blockquote>
In November 2023, Rushwaya was fined US$5 000 by High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda following her conviction for attempting to smuggle gold worth US$330 000 to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
She was caught red-handed with the precious stones stashed in her handbag at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in 2020.
Justice Kwenda ordered Rushwaya to pay a US$5 000 fine failure of which she will spend 12 months in jail.
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In addition, the judge slapped Rushwaya with 18 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for three years on the condition she does not commit a similar offence during the same period.
Giving his reasons for the lenient sentence, Justice Kwenda said there was no evidence to suggest that Rushwaya was a hardcore criminal. 
In February 2012 Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested on allegations of bribery and match-fixing linked to the Asiagate scandal.
She appeared in court facing 11 counts of concealing transactions from a principal, two counts of fraud and 15 others of bribery involving US$1 million. 
Rushwaya was a central figure in the Asiagate scandal, where she was identified as the “core central point” in a match-fixing network involving referees, players, and journalists.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>
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Henrietta Rushwaya Arrested

A Gweru-based policeman, Musa Mukuli, who was accused last year of stealing copper cables from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe, has been acquitted of the charges.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024581/gweru-cop-acquitted-of-stealing-from-ed-farm">NewsDay</a>, Kwekwe provincial magistrate Mildred Matuvi ruled that the State had failed to provide sufficient evidence linking Mukuli and three other accused persons—William Urayayi, Silas Musindo, and James Mulongo—to the theft of copper cables from Mnangagwa’s farm. As a result, all four individuals were freed of the charges.
The accused were represented by Gweru lawyer Esau Mandipa of Mutatu and Mandipa Legal Practice.
However, Mulongo was found guilty on a different charge. He had pleaded guilty to stealing solar panels at Mnangagwa’s farm. As a consequence, he has been sentenced to 14 months in jail for this offence.
According to court records, Mukuli, along with three other accused individuals—Urayayi, Musindo, and Mulongo—allegedly conspired to steal solar panels from Mnangagwa’s Brownland Estate Farm, which is adjacent to Precabe Farm on September 14 2023 at approximately 11:00 PM.
The targeted solar panels were crucial for supplying power to a borehole on the estate.
The accused group reportedly infiltrated the farm premises and made off with three solar panels. They concealed the stolen panels in a nearby bush.
However, their activities did not go unnoticed. Security personnel from Precabe Farm spotted them driving a silver Honda Fit with registration number AEA 6642.
While the other three suspects managed to escape, Mukuli was apprehended at the scene.
It was further alleged that during investigations, a water pump attendant at Precabe Farm, Liberty Zunga identified Mukuli as one of the people who had stolen copper cables at the farm on September 7.
On the said date, Mukuli together with the other three accused allegedly went to Precabe Farm pump house near Munyati River and stole copper cables.
The accused reportedly cut and removed the armoured cables connecting the transformer to the pump, then pulled them to a nearby field, where they peeled off the copper insulation rubber.
The accused were spotted by Lunga, who was conducting perimeter checks at the pump house. A confrontation ensued, with Lunga attempting to apprehend Mukuli. 
Lunga was overpowered, and the four accused individuals managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Gweru Policeman Acquitted Of Stealing Copper Cables From Mnangagwa’s Farm

A nurse from Ngundu, Chivi District, Masvingo Province has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the heinous murder of his girlfriend’s baby during delivery.
According to <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/ngundu-nurse-kills-girlfriends-baby-during-delivery/">The Mirror</a>, after assisting with the delivery, the nurse, Ngonidzashe Mugabe took the newborn’s life and callously disposed of the body.
He threw the infant into a pit latrine, showing a complete lack of compassion or remorse. High Court Judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze, expressed his shock at the brutality of the crime.
Despite Mugabe’s plea of not guilty, the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial led Justice Mawadze to deliver a stern sentence. On Friday, March 15, Mugabe was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years behind bars.
Prosecutors revealed that Mugabe and Diana Rose Mudzingwa (32) of Waterfalls, Harare were in an intimate relationship, and Mudzingwa was pregnant.
Mugabe, who worked at Ngundu Clinic, lured Mudzingwa to give birth there after she fell into labour. However, instead of taking her to the clinic, he led her to a rented location.
In a horrifying turn of events, Mudzingwa, in the throes of labour pain, witnessed Mugabe’s cruel actions. The nurse strangled the newborn, stuffed its nose and mouth with cotton, and then drowned it headfirst in a bucket. Mugabe callously wrapped the lifeless body in a plastic bag and left the room.
Mugabe later disposed of the tiny body in a pit latrine. Callously, Mugabe proceeded to inject Mudzingwa to stop her bleeding and resumed his duties at the clinic as if nothing had happened. The incident happened on January 24, 2023.
Mudzingwa reported the matter at Ngundu Police Station leading to Mugabe’s arrest. He was taken for indications and he showed the Police where he had dumped the body.
Justice Mawadze said there was no postmortem because the body was in a state of decomposition when it reached Masvingo Provincial Hospital and he relied on Mudzingwa’s testimony and circumstantial evidence to reach his conclusion.
In a candid admission, Mugabe clarified that his relationship with Mudzingwa was purely sexual, devoid of any marriage prospects due to his existing commitment to his wife and five children.
Furthermore, Mugabe said Mudzingwa had candidly revealed her involvement in a sexual relationship with another man when she became pregnant.
Mugabe claimed that his subsequent actions were driven by a conflicted state of mind, fueled by the fear of jeopardizing his job and family. The revelation that his girlfriend had given birth in his room weighed heavily on him, leading to his confusion and apprehension.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Mawadze emphasized Mugabe’s betrayal of his professional duties as a nurse and the gravity of his actions. He condemned Mugabe’s deceitful behaviour and disregard for human life. He said:
<blockquote>
Judging by the role of a nurse and a midwife you know the importance of a postmortem. If you had alerted the Police a postmortem would have been conducted and the cause of death known.
You didn’t want a postmortem and that is consistent with foul play. There is no confusion. You had the clarity of mind to go and illegally take an injection from the clinic.
What destroys your story is that you are denying that there was foul play but you are agreeing that Mudzingwa accused you of killing her child.
What did you do? You were supposed to report to the Police who would investigate. Instead, you nicodemusly wrapped the body in a plastic bag and walked two kilometres and dumped the baby.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Married Ngundu Nurse Kills Girlfriend’s Baby During Delivery

In a recent incident in Katombora, Middle Zambezi Valley, two suspected poachers met a fatal end after engaging in a firefight with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife (Zimparks) rangers.
The confrontation resulted in the deaths of the poachers, while three others were apprehended. 
The rangers acted swiftly to protect wildlife and recovered 15 elephant tusks, along with a rifle and ammunition.
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident posting on X:
<blockquote>
2 suspected poachers were gunned down in Katombora (Mid Zambezi) after an exchange of fire with @Zimparks rangers while 3 were arrested. 15 tusks, 375 rifle, 5 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Investigations are in progress.
</blockquote>
Poaching remains a critical issue in Zimbabwe, threatening the country’s rich wildlife heritage.
A recent investigation revealed a cyanide scandal implicating authorities and a mysterious Chinese businesswoman named Li Song.
According to The NewsHawks report, a staggering 40 tonnes and a pallet containing 1.1 tonnes of cyanide were clandestinely and unlawfully stored at a warehouse in Bulawayo.
Cyanide, commonly associated with mining, is also used by poachers, with recent reports suggest that over 300 elephants have died in Hwange National Park due to poachers lacing watering holes and salt licks with cyanide.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Poachers Gunned Down, Three Arrested In Mid-Zambezi

Zimbabwe has experienced a 21.5% surge in crime cases, rising from 182,427 in the previous quarter to 221,596 in the most recent period, the latest Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) figures have revealed.
The national crime rate has also increased, reaching 1,459.9 crimes per 100,000 people, compared to 1,201.8 in the previous quarter.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency compiles crime data based on police records, focusing on reported incidents.
 In the 2023 fourth quarter crime statistics report, ZimStat’s manager-social statistics, Tinashe Mwadiwa, highlighted 326 intentional homicide cases. He said (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024555/zim-crime-rate-surges">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The police recorded 221 596 offences throughout October to December 2023. This represents a 21,5% increase from 182 427 offences recorded in the third quarter.
The national crime rate was 1 459,9 per 100 000 people, an uptick from 1 201,8 per 100 000 observed in the previous quarter.
Assaults and threats category was the most frequent act causing harm or intending to cause harm to the person. The rate for assaults and threats stood at 195,9 per 100 000 population.
</blockquote>
Mwadiwa said there were 37 602 cases of theft recorded in the fourth quarter, indicating a rate of 247,7 per 100 000 population. He said:
<blockquote>
The unlawful acts involving alcohol, tobacco or other controlled substances category was the most prevalent act involving controlled drugs or other psychoactive substances.
</blockquote>
According to the ZimStat report, the incidence of unlawful acts involving alcohol, tobacco, or other controlled substances has reached 4,886 cases, corresponding to a rate of 32.2 per 100,000 population<a aria-label="1: 32.2 per 100,000 population" class="ac-anchor sup-target" data-citationid="9e3b5597-084b-f704-02be-914d3336861f-6" href="https://www.zimstat.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/Demography/crime/2023/2023_2ndQ_Crime_in_Zimbabwe.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">1</a>.
Additionally, fraud accounted for 3,235 cases, resulting in a rate of 21.3 per 100,000 population. 
Furthermore, 48 cases of corruption were recorded, representing a rate of 0.3 per 100,000 population. Said Mwadiwa:
<blockquote>
There were 3 091 cases of sexual violence recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a crime rate of 20,4 per 100 000 population.
The number of offences recorded under Other acts against public order, authority and provisions of the State’ was 7 548, translating to a crime rate of 49,7 per 100 000 population.
During the 2023 fourth quarter, 88 967 cases of non-injurious traffic violations were recorded resulting in a crime rate of 586,1 per 100 000 population.
</blockquote>
Mwadiwa said at the close of the fourth quarter of 2023, Zimbabwe’s prison facilities housed a total of 23,017 prisoners. Among these inmates, 17,050 (74.1%) were sentenced and 5,967 (25.9%) were unsentenced.
Interestingly, the age distribution of new male and female prisoners revealed some patterns; the highest proportion of new prisoners fell within the 25-29 age group, followed by those aged between 20 and 24.
Beyond the age group of 25-29, the number of new prisoners gradually declined with increasing age.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Records 21.5% Surge In Crime Cases

A South African man who was accused by Zimbabwean authorities of sending a bomb threat is back home in eManzimtoti, Durban after his deportation.
Cuan Reed Govender (25), was arrested on March 1 at the boarding gates of the Robert Mugabe International Airport after airport scanners had detected five rounds of live ammunition in his bag.
Speaking to the <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/thepost/news/man-accused-of-zimbabwe-bomb-threat-speaks-out-52bfe230-f42b-4956-8333-dd78777f8b9c">POST</a> this week, the father of one said he spent six days in a Zimbabwean prison.
Govender said he began working remotely for a company in Zimbabwe, as its general manager in July 2023.
He said this was his first trip to Zimbabwe for work and he did not know the bullets were in his bag. Said Govender:
<blockquote>
This was my first time in an aeroplane. I was meant to spend a week in Zimbabwe for business. I did not realise that the suitcase I was carrying had bullets in one of the compartments.
At the airport in South Africa, they did not detect the bullets so it came as a surprise to me when scanners picked up the bullets at the airport in Zimbabwe.
At the time of my arrest, I complied with officials and explained that it was a mistake on my part. I knew I had to face the consequences. I was taken to a holding cell.
</blockquote>
Govender said he spent the night in a holding cell and made his first appearance on March 2 at the Harare Magistrate’s Court.
He pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of ammunition.
At the time of his arrest, Govender did not know that the Zimbabwe authorities had linked him with a “John Doe” who had sent an email of a bomb/firearm alert on March 1.
The email had exposed an alleged plan to attack Zimbabwe’s airports and forced the temporary closure of Victoria Falls International Airport. Said Govender:
<blockquote>
I spent the weekend in prison, waiting to appear in court on Monday for sentencing.
During this time, I was visited by a few people, who told me that I was being linked to sending a bomb threat.
I was shocked as this was never mentioned to me in court and I did not understand what was happening.
</blockquote>
When he reappeared in court on Monday, Govender represented himself and took full responsibility for having the bullets, saying he made “an honest mistake”. He said:
<blockquote>
On Monday evening, I was told that I could pay a fine of $300 (R5 700) or spend four months in prison. I paid the fine but was still kept imprisoned until Wednesday (March 6).
I felt trapped and concerned as I had still not been told by the courts or police about the bomb threat case. I was just told that the story was circulating on social media.
</blockquote>
Govender remained in custody until his eventual deportation. Despite his release, he asserted that he was never directly questioned regarding the bomb threat allegations.
Interestingly, during this period, his name was widely circulated on social media by Zimbabwean authorities, connecting him to the alleged threat, yet no formal interrogation took place. He said:
<blockquote>
The false information delayed my departure. The fact that I had to be deported will affect my life. I assume it was a case of the government not doing their work and proper investigations.
There was no link to me, but the authorities used me as a scapegoat to make themselves look good. I was a foreigner in their country and it was easy to blame me, without charging me or conducting thorough investigations.
They could not prove that there was a link between me and the email sender, John Doe.
</blockquote>
He said the false accusations affected his life, job and reputation and exposed the legal system and how they can get things wrong.
Govender said conditions in the prison were inhumane – with no water or sanitation. He added:
<blockquote>
I am an amputee, so the circumstances of my stay in prison was worse due to my physical challenges. I thank my family and friends for supporting me during this time.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African Man Accused Of Zimbabwe Bomb Threat Speaks Out

Ishmael Chokurongerwa, a self-styled prophet and leader of Johane Masowe (Gore Jena Penyeranyika), who was arrested earlier this week, claims that his sole “crime” is caring for approximately 120 families residing at Plot 6, Lily Farm, in Nyabira, reported <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/my-only-crime-is-taking-good-care-of-120-families/">H-Metro</a>.
During his bail application before Norton resident magistrate Christine Nyandoro on March 14, Chokurongerwa asserted that he has led a violence-free life since his 2014 conviction and is currently recovering from food poisoning that occurred in September last year.
The charges against him include contravention of Section 3 (1) and (2) of the Burial and Cremation Act 5:03 and Section 7(1) and (5) of the Children’s Act 5:06.
His co-accused individuals, including Takavengwa Gwenzi, Siribiniyo Chikunire, Wonder Kabaya, Devlodge Katsande, Zebediah Sigudu, Aaron Chokurongerwa, and Shingirai Ngavafume, are all members of his sect.
Allegations state that in November 2023, Madzibaba Ishmael and his accomplices conducted burials for Hazel Chikunhire and Winlet Kabaya without proper burial orders, violating the law.
Additionally, the State contends that since 2019, Madzibaba Ishmael and others neglected and exposed their children to various ailments, causing significant harm to their health.
The investigating officer, Denote Muchichwa, opposed bail, citing concerns about witness interference and potential harm to their children if bail is granted.
Muchichwa expressed concern about the disturbing state in which they discovered the children.
These young ones were being deprived of their fundamental rights to education and adequate healthcare due to their parents’ beliefs.
The accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court again on March 19 for the bail ruling.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Madzibaba Ishmael Says His Only Crime Is Taking Good Care Of 120 Families

In a dramatic turn of events, a Chitungwiza Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) official found himself in handcuffs after allegedly extorting US$20 from a beverages delivery truck crew.
On Thursday, 14 March, the VID official, (name supplied), was caught red-handed at a roadblock along Seke Road, near the Zuva service station adjacent to Makoni Shopping Centre.
The scene unfolded as the official and his colleague flagged down a CODIECARE delivery truck driven by Patrick Mujuru and accompanied by salesperson Terence Nhatiso.
The VID official disembarked from their Mazda BT50 double-cab (registration number VED 0144) and ordered Nhatiso to pay a $20 “fine” without specifying the alleged offence.
He allegedly warned Nhatiso that failure to pay the US$20 would result in the impoundment of their vehicle, which would then be taken to the VID depot.
If impounded, CODIECARE would need to cough up a hefty US$500 for its release.
Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) members had received a tip-off about the VID officers’ extortion practices.
Four SARACO members, aboard a Honda Fit, discreetly observed the unfolding drama from a few meters away.
Their investigation revealed that the VID officers were operating without the company of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, which is highly irregular.
Once the VID officials departed, the SARACO team engaged the CODIECARE employees.
The crew contemplated filing a police report to reclaim their money. They reported the incident to the Makoni Police Station, accompanied by SARACO members.
Assistant Inspector Sande from ZRP Makoni and Constable Ncube, the CODIECARE employees and SARACO members visited the VID Chitungwiza Depot.
There, they engaged Thabani Waniwa, the senior vehicle inspector at VID, who promptly summoned the two officials.
The alleged extortionist allegedly confessed to extorting the CODIECARE crew and humbly sought forgiveness.
But the wheels of justice were already in motion. The official found himself at Makoni Police Station, detained and awaiting his fate.
He was slated to appear before the Chitungwiza Magistrate Court on Friday, 15 March.
Meanwhile, his colleague remained unscathed — innocent of any involvement in the extortion saga.
When contacted for comment, the ZRP spokesperson in Harare Province Inspector Luckmore Chakanza said he was still to get details about the arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

VID Chitungwiza Official Arrested For Extortion

Controversial cleric Passion Java and businessman Mike Chimombe have come under scrutiny after a Harare businessman filed a police report accusing them of attacking him at Rainbow Towers on Wednesday night.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/passion-java-mike-chimombe-in-public-violence-storm/">ZimLive</a>, Andrew Manongore reported the incident to Harare Central police station under IR 030777.
The allegations suggest that Java and Chimombe hired a group of thugs to assault Manongore.
Chimombe allegedly brandished a gun during the altercation. The incident reportedly captured on CCTV, resulted in Manongore being attacked and robbed of US$18,000.
Java’s apparent animosity towards the businessman, stemming from socialite Hillary Makaya’s association with him, adds complexity to the situation.
Meanwhile, Chimombe was allegedly provoked when Manongore labelled him as financially destitute.
Manongore sought refuge in a restroom before being taken to the hospital for treatment, along with his guards.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Passion Java, Mike Chimombe Allegedly Unleash Thugs On Harare Businessman

Former St John’s College athletics instructor and Zimbabwe Triathlon Association coach David Edward Gardner lost his appeal against conviction in a case of indecent assault involving minors.
According to the NPA, Gardner had been found guilty in July 2008 of 3 counts of indecent assault involving three boys who were students at the school.
He had been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment (i..e 8 months per count), of which 12 months were suspended and he was to serve 12 months effectively.
He was granted bail pending appeal on 22 July 2008 and has been out of custody since then.
Dissatisfied with the conviction, he appealed to the High Court protesting his innocence based on the fact that the State had not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the High Court dismissed Gardner’s appeal and he promptly lodged another appeal in the Supreme Court, alleging among other things that the Prosecutor assembled state witnesses in his office and discussed the case in a manner that was irregular and prejudicial to his case.
In a judgement handed down by the Supreme Court on 12 March 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court that the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
There was irrefutable evidence that Gardner had unlawfully and intentionally abused one boy in Switzerland and two others in Zimbabwe.
The 12 months which was meant to be served in prison was commuted to 460 hours of community service because there was a delay before the appeal was heard in the High Court. After all, the record of proceedings went missing.
The issue of the missing record was beyond the National Prosecuting Authority’s control.
Gardner has been ordered to present himself before a Regional Magistrate at the Harare Magistrates Court for the assignment of community service duties at a public institution.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former St John's College Athletics Instructor Abused Boys

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has secured the release of five villagers among them a pregnant woman, and a 3-year-old toddler, who had been arrested for disorderly conduct in a public place.
ZLHR said Jennifer Sithole (58) and her 3-year-old toddler grandchild, Esther Kuseri, who was pregnant, Tafirenyika Boterere, Shadreck Manyange, Brighton Manyange and Noel Chikosa, were detained at Ruda Police Station in Honde Valley.
 The villagers were arrested on Wednesday last week for allegedly protesting against maladministration by some school authorities at Sagambe Primary School. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
We have rescued a toddler and a pregnant woman, whom [the police] had detained together with some aggrieved villagers, who were charged for allegedly protesting against maladministration by some school authorities in Honde Valley.
On Wednesday, the police detained a 3-year-old toddler at Ruda Police Station in Honde Valley, together with Jennifer Sithole, the baby’s 58-year-old grandmother and Esther Kuseri, who was pregnant and four other villagers, who reside in Sagambe village in Mutasa District in Manicaland Province and charged them with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in section 41 of Criminal Code.
The ZRP officers accused Kuseri, Sithole and 4 other villagers namely Tafirenyika Boterere, Shadreck Manyange, Brighton Manyange and Noel Chikosa of masterminding a protest against Evans Mwaturura, the school head at Sagambe Primary School, who stands accused by some parents and guardians of presiding over maladministration at the school.
The villagers were also accused of stopping school children from attending lessons at Sagambe Primary School. The allegations of maladministration had been raised during a School Development Committee (SDC) annual general meeting, which was held at Sagambe Primary School, where some parents intended to raise several concerns against Mwaturura.
The disgruntled parents had sought to engage officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and eventually, a meeting was held with officials from the ministry in the presence of some ZRP officers from Ruda Police Station.
Kuseri was arrested during the meeting for allegedly raising her voice against an official at the consultation.
She was released from Ruda Police Station on Thursday after she paid an admission of guilt fine for disorderly conduct in a public place for contravening section 41 of the Criminal Code, following the intervention of human rights lawyer Tatenda Sigauke of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Kuseri opted to pay an admission of guilt fine for disorderly conduct in a public place because she was pregnant and the conditions of police detention were making her uncomfortable and she was not comfortable with the inconvenience of court processes considering her condition.
Chikosa who is the former SDC Chairperson at Sagambe Primary School, was separately charged with contravening section 37 of the Criminal Code for allegedly participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotryChikosa was accused of being the one who had written a list of grievances levelled against Mwaturura, which had been presented at the meeting with officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The three-year-old toddler and Sithole, Boterere, Manyange, Chikosa and Manyange, were only set free following the intervention of Sigauke on Friday at Mutasa Magistrates Court, where they had been hauled for their initial appearance.
Sigauke successfully argued with prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority against the placement of the villagers on remand and requested that they be released immediately. Prosecutors were left with no option but to assent to Sigauke’s request and this led to the release of the 5 villagers including the three-year-old toddler.
Prosecutors stated that they would resort to summoning the villagers if they were to consider prosecuting them.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Toddler, Pregnant Woman Among Villagers Detained For Disorderly Conduct

Two female police officers stationed at Chinhoyi Police Station were recently arraigned before the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court facing corruption charges after they allegedly solicited a bribe from a suspect who was due to appear in court.
It is alleged that on 02 February 2024, Sergeant Theoline Mapako and Constable Gracious Hove solicited a US$100 bribe from Thandeka Chitombo who had been arrested for impersonating a state official (CIO).
The bribe was to ensure that Chitombo gets bail.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Chitombo advised the police officers that she only had US$32.
They told her that they had already made an arrangement with her father and he had promised to give them US$50.
When Chitombo was given US$50 by her father, the police officers took her to the ladies’ toilets on the court premises where she handed over US$80 as bribe money.
After the transaction, the police officers escorted her to court where she was remanded in custody as the Prosecutor opposed bail.
The matter came to light when Chitombo was denied bail and she reported the issue to the prison officers who then alerted the police.
Mapako and Hove will appear before a magistrate on 19 March for trial.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Female Police Officers Receive A Bribe Inside A Court Building

Two security guards who were part of the response team at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia during the US$720 000 robbery on 25 February, were on Tuesday, 12 March sentenced to an effective 24 months imprisonment each.
Cornelius Muchikange (35) and Nesbert Kachungwe (35) pleaded guilty to the offence on Monday before magistrate Ethel Chichera.
According to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/security-guards-jailed-for-us53k-theft/">H-Metro</a>, they were initially sentenced to 48 months imprisonment, six of which were suspended on condition that they don’t commit an offence involving theft and dishonesty, in the next five years.
Eighteen months were suspended on condition that they each pay back Quest Financial Services US$18 650.
They were charged for illegally pocketing US$53 000 which had been dropped by robbers fleeing from the crime scene.
The two guards shared the money, with Muchikange buying a Nissan Sylphy sedan for US$3 700 and a residential stand for US$6 000 in Eastview, Harare.
He also used US$2 500 to pay lobola to his in-laws.
Kachungwe bought a Nissan AD van for US$6 100 using his share of the spoils as well as building materials valued US$1 000.
The complainant in this matter is Daniel Mandizvidza (54), the head of operations at Quest Financial Services.
Prosecutor Zebediah Bofu told the court that on 25 February, at around 1.30 AM, 12 robbers who were armed with a pistol, a drill, an iron bar, a bolt cutter and explosives approached Mandizvidza after breaking down the door to his bedroom in one of the buildings at his workplace.
They tied him before ransacking several offices.
The suspects used detonators to blast open a safe in the operations manager’s office and stole cash amounting to US$720 000, 120 Euros, 10 500 rand which they loaded into plastic bags and a cardboard box.
The robbers were disturbed by the arrival of reaction teams from Safeguard Security Company and J and P Security Service.
The court heard that the duo parked at the front of the premises.
It was further alleged that during their escape, the robbers left a grinder, some fuse detonators, a bag with two laptops and dropped cash amounting to US$5 000 in the premises before escaping using the back of the premises.
Whilst outside the premises, one of the plastic bags the robbers were carrying was torn and all the cash dropped to the ground.
The robbers fled without picking up the money.
Muchikange and Kachungwe found the cash amounting to approximately US$53 000 and shared it.
On 08 March, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information that the pair had stolen the cash which was dropped by robbers at the crime scene and arrested the two in central Harare.
On 07 March, Muchikange was allegedly approached by six male adults purporting to be police officers and they took the remainder of the money he had which amounted to US$15 000.
The same fake CID officers stole US$7 000 from Kachungwe.
Of the stolen US$53 000, only US$15 700 was recovered.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

US$720k Armed Robbery: Two Security Guards Sentenced To Four Years Imprisonment

Scores of police officers, armed with guns, tear smoke and accompanied by sniffer dogs, descended on Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa’s farm in Nyabira in the early hours of Tuesday morning leading to his arrest.
As reported by <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/spectacular-police-raid-nets-madzibaba-ishmael-scores-of-kids-confirm-they-have-no-birth-certificates-they-also-tell-officers-theyve-never-been-to-a-school-defiant-ishmael-says-he/">H-Metro</a>, Madzibaba Ishmael’s compound is home to more than 1 000 people who are believed to be members of his cult, most of whom are allegedly being abused.
The residents of the compound were awakened at around 4 AM and led the police officers to Madzibaba Ishmael’s shrine.
They were interviewed about concerns that have been raised about the captivity at the compound.
Those who live at the compound describe it as the Biblical Promised Land.
The police officers were accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Nyabira Rural District Council, Registrar General’s Office and the Department of Social Welfare.
It was established that all the children at the compound did not have birth certificates and did not go to school because they were not allowed to do so.
The women said they had never been subjected to any form of abuse during interviews with Health, Victim Friendly Unit and Social Welfare officials.
Most of Madzibaba Ishmael’s followers dismissed claims they were living in captivity, saying they voluntarily followed their leader.
Madzibaba Ishmael has previously served jail time for attacking police officers. He said:
<blockquote>
We do not attack people as reported by people who are fighting us. Our children, as well as our wives, are not comfortable seeing people holding guns.
Musatye zvenyu nezvakaitika gore riya kuBudiriro. Our angels are the ones who fought some of your officers, it was not us.
We preach peace here and we are a peaceful church. We want to slaughter a cow so that you eat while viewing our projects being carried out by our men for a living.
</blockquote>
The team was led to a cemetery where shallow graves were dug around an anthill.
Madzibaba Ishmael said he was not aware of women’s and children’s rights being violated.
He was taken to Nyabira Police Station and later to Norton Police Station where he was detained together with four other members of his church.
In 2015, Madzibaba Ishmael was sentenced to a five-year jail term for leading an attack on police officers, journalists and members of the Archbishop Johannes Ndanga-led Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe at his Budiriro shrine in 2014.
Archbishop Ndanga wanted to close down Madzibaba Ishmael’s sect over allegations of abuse of women and children by the latter’s followers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Alleged Cult Leader Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa Arrested

Three Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officials have been dragged before the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court facing charges of criminal abuse of office.
Gerald Chitete, Silas Mabaso Zamba and Daniel Mhlanga were remanded to 27 March 2024 on US$200 bail each.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on 02 February this year, the three men were charged with the duty of examining student drivers through yard and road tests.
It is alleged that the trio extended undue favour to an applicant learner driver Linda Rwauya by giving her a class 4 driver’s license when she had not gone through the required testing procedure thereby, acting contrary to their duties as public officials.
The matter came to light when a whistleblower alerted the authorities and investigations led to the accused persons’ arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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