Suspected human traffickers Brenda Avril May (left), Nyasha Bako (in green T-shirt), Lucia Makangwa and Jethro Madakasi (white striped shirt) arrive at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts in the company of detectives yesterday. -Picture by Innocent Makawa

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
POLICE in Harare have arrested a Kuwait embassy official and three suspects as investigations into the human trafficking saga deepen.

Brenda Avril May (62), a secretary at the embassy, was re-arrested after fresh charges emerged.

May has pending similar charges before the courts.

She recruited Joyleen Muchengu on the pretext that she was going to work as a nurse aide for former Kuwaiti Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ahmed Al-Jeeran’s brother, Bader Khaled.

On reaching Kuwait, Muchengu was sold and forced to do menial jobs.

Police also arrested Jethro Madakasi (23), a policeman based in Mutare.

He reportedly lured Sandra Chikomwe on the pretext that he had secured employment for her before demanding $50 which he said was for processing police clearance and a medical report.

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The other two are Nyasha Bako (29) and Lucia Makwangwa (41), who are accused of sending four women to Kuwait where they were turned into slaves.

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the case so far.

The suspects have since appeared in court and were represented by Mr David Dhumbura of Coghlan Welsh and Guest, Mr Obey Zimbodza from Zimbodza and Associates and Mr Liberty Gono of Machaya and Associates.

The quartet appeared on separate records before Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe.

May, Madakasi and Makwangwa were freed on $500 bail each. They were ordered to report to the police three times a week.

Bako was denied bail after the State proved that he was a flight risk.

Prosecuting, Mr Peter Kachirika submitted that Bako had been on the run since March.

The Prosecutor-General’s Office consented to a free bail for May on the basis that she was already on bail while Madakasi and Makwangwa had been ordered to pay $300 bail, but Mr Chikwekwe overturned the State’s decision and ordered the quartet to pay $500 each.

They were remanded to June 14.

Mr Kachirika alleged May processed a visa and air ticket for Muchengu after misrepresenting to her that she was going to work as a nurse aide for Bader Khaled Al-Jeeran.

Muchengu left Zimbabwe on October 14 and upon arrival in Kuwait, she was whisked away by an unidentified agent while her passport was confiscated.

At the hands of her employer, Muchengu worked for long hours, was not given food and was not allowed to leave the house. The court heard that Madakasi, who connived with his alleged accomplice, Progress Mehlo based in Kuwait, misrepresented to Chikomwe that he had connections in Kuwait and had secured a job for her as a maid where she would be paid $700 per month.

He allegedly processed a visa and air ticket for her and she left the coun- try.

It is the State’s case that Bako and Makwangwa connived and recruited Zviito Kaurimbo, Tariro Muza, Emmaculate Mujeyi and Hazvinei Garanewako.

When they got to Kuwait their passports and mobile phones were confiscated and they were placed under house arrest where they were abused and worked as maids for long hours without food.

They were later rescued by Zimbabwean Embassy officials in Kuwait who facilitated their return home.

So far suspects that have appeared in court in connection with trafficking are Brenda Avril (31), Lucia Chibayambuya (26), Lawrence Chibayambuya (23), Faith Magora (57), Edgar Muchineripi Gora, Josephine Gondo (26) and Fadzai Nyahondo (19).

Snr Asst Comm Charamba

Crime Reporter
Police have expressed concern over an upsurge in domestic violence cases in which couples kill each other and in some instances go as far as murdering their children.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday urged people to always seek counselling when disputes arise.

“We have noted a disturbing trend where either a husband or wife kills his or her children before committing suicide because of either a domestic dispute or differences,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said parents should know that children have a right to life and should be protected.

She urged members of the public to seek counselling from the police, churches, elders and traditional leaders instead of taking the law into their own hands.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police were embarking on awareness campaigns to educate people against domestic violence.

Last Saturday, a Shurugwi woman forced her three children to drink poison and later committed suicide after she discovered her husband had abandoned the family to and go and live with another woman.

Meanwhile, a Mabvuku traffic police officer who deserted the force after being suspended on allegations of corruption, has appeared in court for drawing a salary for a year-and-a-half, in the process prejudicing the State of more than $11 000, reports Fungai Lupande.

Malvern Masango (30) appeared before magistrate Ms Tilda Mazhande facing theft charges.

He is expected back in court on Monday.

Masango pleaded not guilty to the charge and in his defence told the court that he was entitled to the salary.

“I did not report at work because I was on suspension for more than a year,” said Masango.

“It is clearly stated in court papers that I was still a serving member. I was discharged on January 7 this year.”

Prosecuting, Ms Tariro Gwatidzo told the court that Masango was attested into the Zimbabwe Republic Police in July 2005 and was stationed at Nkayi Police Station.

In 2013 he was reassigned to Mabvuku Police Station in the traffic department.

It is alleged that he was later suspended on corruption charges and was ordered to report to Chikurubi Support Unit from September 23, 2013 to January 7, 2014.

However, Masango allegedly went away without official leave for 18 months.

He continued to access his salary from May 2014 to October 28, 2015 through his ZB Bank account number 4624706830200 without offering service to the State.

The offence came to light when Masango was reassigned to Nkayi Police Station in October last year.

The State lost $11 709 and nothing was recovered.

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Former Finance Minister and Mount Darwin East Member of the National Assembly Dr Christopher Kuruneri (Zanu-PF) collapsed in Parliament yesterday, bringing business of the House to a standstill as legislators rushed to render assistance.

Dr Kuruneri, who is unwell, collapsed while the National Assembly was sitting, prompting legislators seated next to him to make distress calls to the stand-in Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Melody Dziva to stop proceedings.

The incident happened while Zengeza East MP Mr Alexio Musundire (MDC-T) was on the floor debating the President’s speech.

Goromonzi West MP Cde Beata Nyamupinga (Zanu-PF) brought a wheelchair to carry the former Cabinet Minister to Parliament health staff.

Dr Kuruneri was whisked away in his vehicle for further management.

“We are sorry for what happened. We all know that Hon Kuruneri is not feeling well.

“Parliament staff is taking all necessary steps to ensure that he is helped,” said Cde Dziva, addressing legislators in the Chamber after Dr Kuruneri was taken out of the chamber.

Gokwe MP Cde Dorothy Mangami requested that in future Dr Kuruneri’s aide be allowed to sit beside him during proceedings so that he swiftly renders assistance should that be necessary.

Cde Dziva said parliamentary rules allowed aides of MPs who needed assistance to be allowed to sit through proceedings.

Meanwhile, Cde Dziva warned MPs to attend sittings as their failure to come had resulted in removal of motions on the Order Paper for lack of a quorum.

She said legislators were doing injustice to their constituencies and political parties by not attending sittings.

This was after Kuwadzana East MP Mr Nelson Chamisa said poor conditions of service for MPs had caused a lack of quorum in the House and subsequent removal of motions from the Order Paper.

Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
Thirty-eight people, among them touts and commuter omnibus drivers, yesterday appeared in court for allegedly assaulting Harare Municipal police officers who were enforcing traffic by-laws.

Tinashe Chimbidzai (19), Tobias Tawengwa (26), Amos Nyamayaro (18), Innocent Mavhuto (19), Bothwell Nyamajiva (27) and 33 others were charged with public violence when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

The matter was deferred to May 27 for trial.

Allegations are that on January 3 at around 4pm, Harare Municipal police officers were enforcing traffic by-laws under an operation code named “Scorpion” meant to clear illegal passenger pick-up points popularly known as Mishikashika at corner Julius Nyerere Way and Robson Manyika.

The court heard that the municipal cops numbering 10 were using a Harare City Council vehicle when they were dropped at corner Julius Nyerere way and Robson Manyika.

It is the state’s case that during the operation, the 38 who were members of the public, touts and commuter omnibus drivers, resisted the said operation and teamed up to attack the municipal cops using stones, cardboard boxes, various metal objects and their hands.

The municipal cops sustained injuries all over their bodies and sought medical treatment at Parerenyatwa Hospital.

It is alleged that the 38 were arrested by police in the vicinity of the scene of attack after they were positively identified by various witnesses.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba

Crime Reporter
Two people were seriously injured after they were shot by unknown armed robbers in separate incidents in Harare on Wednesday night.

Police have since urged people to be wary of a group of criminals recently released from prison.

A foreign currency dealer lost two cellphones and $2 000 to three armed robbers, who included a woman, after they lured him into believing that they intended to change South African rand into United States dollars.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incidents and said investigations were in progress.

She said on Wednesday at around 7pm, Philimon Machadho, who was driving a silver Honda Fit (registration number ADU 0604), offered a lift to two men at a food court in the city centre.

“Along Bishop Gaul, the complainant stopped the car and asked the two for directions to the place they wanted to go. One of the armed robbers produced a pistol and ordered him to drive and follow their orders and he was forced to drive along Danges Road in Belvedere,” she said.

Along the way, the two searched Machadho and took away three cellphones and $40 cash before they ordered him to stop near Zesa Training Centre.

Machadho was ordered to get out of the vehicle and he complied.

“One of the robbers fired two shots and he was hit on both hands and he fell down. The robbers drove off leaving him lying on the ground,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

Machadho later made a report at Milton Park Police Station. He was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he is admitted.

Another man was shot and seriously injured on the chest by armed robbers along Samora Machel Avenue on Wednesday night.

The man is reported to be in a critical condition.

In a related incident, a foreign currency dealer lost $2 000 to three armed robbers in Ruwa after he was lured into believing they wanted to change 31 000 rand to US dollars.

The dealer was in the city when he received a call from the robbers who asked him to proceed to Ruwa for the transaction.

“When he got to Ruwa, he met the three criminals, one woman and two men who were travelling in a Altezza registration number AND 8595. They convinced him to get into their car,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

The robbers drove along a dust road and one of them produced a pistol and robbed the man of two cellphones and $2 000 in cash.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged people to be wary of criminals who were on the loose.

She said they should avoid offering lifts to strangers.

“We believe that some of the criminals were released from prisons and people should be wary of them. To the armed robbers, the long arm of the law will soon catch up with you,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said they had intensified their investigations of these armed robbery cases.

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
Zanu-PF Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke’s wife, whose nieces were allegedly sexually assaulted by the legislator, yesterday stood by her husband and described her nieces as “total liars who are wayward”.

Testifying as Kereke’s witness in his defence case, Patience Muswapadare Taruvinga vowed that her husband was innocent and that he was being “fixed” by her nieces for denying them financial assistance.

“My husband has three wives and I am one of them. I am happily married despite the polygamous nature of our marriage,” said Taruvinga.

“The complainants in this matter are my nieces, daughters to my brother Richard Farai Muswapadare who is in the United States of America.”

Taruvinga said the rape and indecent assault allegations by her nieces were false.

“Allegations that my husband fondled one of my nieces in March is a total lie because during that month he had travelled out of the country,” she said.

“Also, my nieces did not visit me from January to July. I was heavily pregnant during that time and no one visited. I also didn’t have a housemaid. For my nieces to allege that my husband would place his hand in their pants in my presence is absurd.”

Taruvinga added that she loved her nieces as her own children and if they were abused she would be the first to report to the police.

“I instructed my lawyer to write to the Prosecutor-General to look into the abuse the complainants were exposed to at the private prosecutor, Mr Charles Warara’s house, where they went for all night prayers,” she said.

“My nieces would sneak out while at the prayers and go to a prominent house in Kew Drive, Highlands in Harare for all night parties. I also noticed busy texting and calling by non-family male people when I went through my nieces’ phones.”

On allegations that Kereke raped one of the girl’s in August, Taruvinga said it was a total lie that she woke up her 11-year-old niece at 3am to babysit while she cooked for her husband.

“It is a total lie that she washed her bloodstained pants, clothes and bed sheets because I did not allow her to do laundry neither were there clothes hanging on the line,” she said. “She threatened that she was going to tell everyone that my husband fondled her breast. When I asked her what she meant she said she was joking.”

During cross-examination by Mr Warara, Taruvinga was asked if she lived with Kereke.

“I don’t live with him permanently, he comes and goes because he has other families,” she replied.

“So you don’t know him?” asked Mr Warara.

Taruvinga replied that she knew enough that concerns herself and her children.

“What number are you in the line of wives and how many children does he have?” asked Mr Warara.

“I don’t know what number I am. I only know we are three. I married him when I was 19, just after finishing school. Other than my three children I don’t know how many other children he has. It does not concern me,” said Taruvinga.

Kereke is accused of raping his 10-year old niece at gun point in 2010 after indecently assaulting her sister who was 15 years at the time.

The trial continues today.

Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
Five men who allegedly tied a Herentals College security guard with shoelaces before stealing a laptop and a safe containing $154 from the administration block, were last Friday remanded in custody to today for bail ruling.

Taurai Dzingai (46), Trust Mabhuku (32), Benjamin Musasa (28), John Gore (35) and Lameck Munyanyi were charged with robbery when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

They deny the charge.

The five last week told the court that they were assaulted by police upon being arrested.

“We have complaints against the police because on the day we got arrested we were brutally assaulted under feet with button sticks and they also forced us into a sewage dam where they were searching for the safe,” Dzingai said.

Allegations are that on May 5, the five, together with their accomplice, Leon Chakanetsa who is still at large, connived to rob Herentals College in New Mabvuku.

The court heard that in pursuit of their plan, the six proceeded to the college where they manhandled a security guard before tying him with shoelaces.

It is the State’s case that the six proceeded to the college’s administration block where they forced open the door and stole an Acer laptop and a safe containing $154.

A report was later made to police leading to their arrest.

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Two Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) employees stationed in Beitbridge have appeared in court charged with fraud involving $6 100 and R11 000.

The two, Malapela Garayi Mukwena (54), a cashier, and Alson Zhou (40), an accountant at the parastatal, were arrested following an audit conducted by their employer on March 31.

They denied the charges of fraud when they appeared before Mr Godswill Mavenge recently who remanded them to 27 May for trial on $50 bail each. Mukwena was ordered to reside at his given address, a Zinwa house in Beitbridge and to report at Beitbridge urban police station once a week while his accomplice, Zhou was ordered to reside at house number 5366 in Nketa in Bulawayo and to report at ZRP Tshabalala once a week as part of their bail conditions.

Prosecuting, Mr Pernson Chekeya told the court that on an unknown date between March 2011 and February 2015, Mukwena received money from consumers at the Beitbridge offices amounting to $6 132 and R11 050. He said the accused was supposed to deposit the money into his employer’s bank account and handover the deposit slips to Zhou who was to enter them into their billing system in Bulawayo.

Mr Chekeya said the two then connived to defraud the company and Zhou entered the receipts into the Zinwa billing account system as if cash had been deposited in the company’s bank account without deposit slips. They then converted the money personal use.

Nothing was recovered.

Herald Reporter
A Harare businesswoman has lodged an application for the High Court to rescind a default judgment ordering her to pay $22 000 to Sebenzisa Media and Communications saying the money she received was for services rendered to a different company.

On May 11, Justice Felistus Chatukuta issued a default judgment and ordered Ms Patience Chivasa to pay up the money to Sebenzisa after the businesswoman failed to attend a pre-trial conference. In her application for rescission of the default judgment lodged through her lawyers Guwuriro and Associates last week, Ms Chivasa denies that she received $2 046 on behalf of Sebenzisa as payment for the printing of Zanu-PF T-shirts ahead of the 2014 Women’s League conference.

Ms Chivasa said she would bring in witnesses from the ruling party at trial stage to prove that the goods supplied were never paid for through her. She further said she got the remaining $20 000 from Media Revolution Zimbabwe as advance payment of commissions for work she would carry out for the company adding that only Media Revolution and not Sebenzisa, had a legal basis to sue her if the they were not happy with services she rendered.

Ms Chivasa said she failed to attend a pre-trial conference scheduled for 11:30 am on May 11 after her car broke down as she drove to Harare from Bulawayo.

Beitbridge Bureau
The trial of a -26-year-old Beitbridge man accused of bedding several underage pupils from local secondary schools has been postponed to May 31.

Rayson Rushwaya is alleged to have impregnated more than six pupils from Vhembe and St Mary’s Secondary schools and is also facing charges of kidnapping and unlawful detention of two girls aged 17 years.

Through his lawyer, Mr Reason Mutimba of Nyikadzino, Simango and Associates, Rushwaya denied charges of kidnapping and unlawful detention of the two girls against their parents’ will when he appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa.

He was charged under Section 93 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.

He is also expected to appear in court on a separate charge of illegal possession of six carats of diamonds worth $2 000 recovered from the roof of his Toyota Mark X by police detectives from the Border Control and Minerals Unit.

Rushwaya, who is out of custody on $100 bail granted by the High Court in Bulawayo a fortnight ago, has completed serving a seven-day jail term after he was convicted of insulting a local journalist.

Prosecuting, Mr Lloyd Mupfungidza told the court that in October last year the accused proposed to one of the girls aged 17 and stayed with her as his girlfriend at house number 1738 in Dulibadzimu suburb.

He said the teenager’s parents tried to get her back but he was evasive until the end of November when he assaulted the girl and chased her away following an argument.

The prosecutor said in February this year, Rushwaya then courted another 17-year-old girl and took her to the same house against her parents’ will.

He said the matter was reported to police leading to Rushwaya’s arrest on April 20 when he went to court to attend trial for criminally insulting a journalist.

Rushwaya is also accused of sleeping with several other young school girls in the area.

It is understood that the Beitbridge community, led by former councillor and women’s rights activist, Miss Patricia Ndlovu, is working on a petition against Rushwaya soon to be handed over to the police.

Chinhoyi Bureau
An apostolic sect prophet has been arrested in Zvimba for inserting a cooking stick in the privates of his clients and later raping them as part of “rituals” to cast out evil spirits.

Madzibaba Iden Muzvondiwa Chabvutagondo (27) of Mapfumo village in Zvimba reportedly lured the women by promising to exorcise the evil spirits tormenting them.

Chabvutagondo gave his first victim three stones with instructions to put them in her bathing water so she could be delivered spiritually.

He told her to come back after three days with soil from her homestead. Upon arrival on the third day, Chabvutagondo took her to an anthill where he asked her to wash her face using water mixed with the soil she had brought. He asked her to remove her clothes and he spread a red cloth on the ground before ordering her to lie down facing up before giving her a clay pot and an empty bottle.

Chabvutagondo asked her raise the two items three times simultaneously and she complied. He then took out a stirring stick which he inserted into her private parts three times while asking her to simulate intercourse. He then told her that the “spirit” had told him to sleep with her. He used the same method on the other victim.

The trial continues on May 27.

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
A Harare man who allegedly raped his minor daughter for four years has been arrested, seven years after committing the offence.

The 46-year-old man from Kuwadzana 7 (name withheld) is said to have raped his daughter on various occasions from 2005 to 2008.

The victim, now 18, was in Grade One when her father allegedly deflowered her and continued with the act until she was in Grade Four.

The court heard that at one time the man attempted to rape the victim in the presence of his wife who was sleeping on the bed while the minor was sleeping on the floor.

The accused appeared in court on Friday last week before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

He is charged with several counts of rape and attempted rape.

He was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court due to the gravity of the offences his is facing.

Prosecuting, Mr Peter Kachirika alleged that sometime in 2005, the victim’s mother went to work leaving her in the custody of her father.

While the victim was in the house, her father’s friend arrived and she was ordered to go outside while the two remained inside.

Her father later called her back into the house after his friend had left.

He allegedly took her to the bedroom where he raped her and after the act he ordered her to take a bath and not to tell anyone about the abuse.

The court heard that the accused on another occasion raped his daughter in the car after she had gone to open the gate for him during the night.

It is alleged that when the accused parked his vehicle in the garage, he took the minor into the car and raped her in the back seat.

The accused reportedly raped his daughter on another day in the lounge as they were watching television while his wife was cooking outside the house.

According to the State, the victim shared her bedroom with their maid and on a date she could not remember, the maid took days off and the girl was scared to sleep alone.

Her mother then asked her to sleep with them in their bedroom and she slept on the floor while her parents were on the bed.

It is alleged that during the night the accused “crawled” from his bed and went into his daughter’s blankets and attempted to rape her.

She tried to scream but he gagged her with his hand and rushed back into his bed.

The victim’s parents later divorced and the accused moved in with another woman and, according to the State, he would take groceries and money to the victim’s house for their upkeep.

On one occasion, he got there and found the minor alone at the house.

He allegedly took her inside and raped her.

However, it was not clear in the State papers as to how and when the offence was reported to police.

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
GOVERNMENT has urged the Constitutional Court to dismiss the case in which Chitungwiza legislator Mr Alexio Musundire and civic activists Mr Tinomudaishe Chinyoka and Ms Coliwe Mufaki are challenging the constitutionality of declaring December 22 a national holiday.

The application, according to Government lawyers, was a waste of the court’s time and the court must refuse to entertain it.

The trio, in the constitutional challenge, argued that December 22 was not a national holiday, but a commemoration of a unity between two political parties — Zanu and PF Zapu.

The day was set aside to celebrate the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord between President Mugabe’s Zanu and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s PF Zapu.

President Mugabe was cited as the first respondent, Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo was listed as second respondent.

The Home Affairs Minister is the one responsible for the administration of the public holidays and Prohibition of Business Act.

It was the trio’s argument that compelling everyone to celebrate the day as a public holiday was unconstitutional.

In a notice of opposition filed at the Constitutional Court recently, permanent secretary for Home Affairs Mr Melusi Matshiya said no one was forced to attend the unity day celebrations in Zimbabwe and no rights have been violated.

“Applicants have not alleged that they were ever forced to attend the celebration or commemoration held on Unity Day, and as such, there is no basis for alleging that their rights to freedom of assembly and association have been violated.

“There are several holidays that are celebrated which do not necessarily apply to each and every member of a particular population such as Easter and Christmas to name a few.

“Public Holidays can never universally apply to all people hence no one is forced to participate in the commemorations, pertaining to any public holiday.

“Wherefore respondents pray that the application be dismissed with costs,” Government argued.

Government said the fact that some people do not like the date does not make declaration of the holiday unconstitutional.

“There is nothing unconstitutional about the declaration of the 22nd of December as National Unity Day.

“It would be absurd to find it unconstitutional simply on the basis that it is either contrary to applicants’ opinions or that applicants do not want the day in question to be a public holiday for reasons personal to them,” it is argued.

The application, Government argued, does not establish any constitutional violations, hence it must be dismissed.

President Mugabe was wrongly cited by name in the application, when at law he should be cited in his official capacity.

The parties are yet to file heads of argument before the matter is set down for hearing.

Archford Gutu

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
The trial of CAPS United player Archford Gutu — accused of damaging another motorist’s vehicle following a misunderstanding in a drunken brawl — failed to commence yesterday after his lawyer sought a postponement to allow him to engage an advocate in the matter.

Gutu appeared before magistrate Mr Tafadzwa Muvhami who deferred the matter to June 13 for trial commencement.

His lawyer Mr Tinofara Hove told the court that he needed more time to give instructions to Advocate Lewis Uriri and the State did not oppose the postponement.

Prosecutor Mr Chrispen Chikafu alleged that on April 17 at around 4am, the parties met at an intersection in the Longcheng Plaza complex in Harare and their vehicles almost collided.

Gutu, who was driving in the company of his teammate Method Mwanjali, got out of the vehicle and charged towards Tonderai Nhunzvi who had three passengers aboard.

He accused him of reckless driving.

As Gutu was shouting, Nhunzvi closed his windows and this irritated Gutu who then smashed the vehicle’s windscreen using an unknown object.

He went back to his car, but Nhunzvi and his friends followed him and an altercation ensued after Nhunzvi asked Gutu to wait for the police.

As onlookers gathered around, Mwanjali also got out of the vehicle and exchanged angry words with Nhunzvi.

Mwanjali returned to the vehicle and allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed Nhunzvi twice in the stomach.

Nhunzvi’s friend, Lionel Muchena, who tried to restrain Mwanjali, sustained a cut to his hand.

Mwanjali and Gutu then vanished from the scene, the State alleged.

Mwanjali will be back in court on May 30 for his trial.

He is facing attempted murder charges.

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri was impersonated in a scam defrauding Blue Ribbon Foods Limited of maize-meal and wheat bran worth $8 000.

Deputy Comm-Gen Matibiri was subsequently served with High Court summons for failing to pay for the goods prompting him to report the matter to the police.

Stanislaus Mukawo of Mufakose, Harare yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate, Ms Tilda Mazhande for his trial.

He is facing seven counts of fraud.

However, the trial was postponed to June 3 after Mukawo notified the court that he was not feeling well.

The complainant in the matter is Blue Ribbon Foods Limited represented by its finance manager Ms Eustice Mubvurungwa. The public prosecutor, Ms Tariro Gwatidzo, alleged that on several occasions from October, 2014, Mukawo visited Blue Ribbon Foods Limited purchasing small quantities of mealie-meal and wheat bran purporting he was sent by Deputy Comm-Gen Matibiri.

Mukawo indicated that the goods were for Deputy Comm-Gen Matibiri’s piggery project at his Chidzidzi Farm.

It is alleged that sometimes Mukawo placed cash orders through phone calls to Ms Mubvurungwa. Sometime in July last year Mukawo phoned Ms Mubvurungwa using mobile number 0782 421 929 misrepresenting that he was Deputy Comm-Gen Matibiri.

He allegedly requested Ms Mubvurungwa to authorise him to purchase bulk mealie-meal and wheat bran on a 30 day credit plan. He indicated that the goods were for his piggery project at Chidzidzi Farm and he had the capacity to pay.

After sweet talking the finance manager, Mukawo managed to walk away with 1 000x10kg and 40x50kg of Chibataura roller meal valued at $5 430.

He also obtained 400x25kg and 250x20kg of wheat bran valued at $2 400.

On March 10, this year Dep Comm-Gen Matibiri was served with High Court summons for non-payment of $7 830.

He filed a police report and detectives followed up on some of the vehicles used to ferry the loot.

The drivers Tonderai Machingura, Tinashe Rusike and Tendai Muchenge were picked up. They implicated Mukawo and said they delivered the goods at Tabeth Mudzamiri’s house in Graniteside flats Ardbennie, Harare.

On March 15, 2016 a trap was set for Mukawo and he was arrested outside the gates of another milling company, Victoria Foods in Willowvale industrial area, Harare.

Blue Ribbon Foods lost $7 830 and nothing was recovered.

Isdore Guvamombe Travel Editor
Two Zambian poachers were killed while eight others escaped after a shoot-out with National Parks rangers at Zambezi National Park in Victoria Falls early on Saturday.

Zimbabwe rangers who were strategically deployed in the park, came face-to-face with the poachers at around 5am and gunned down two poachers, before recovering an AK47 rifle and 100kg of maize-meal.

Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo said the eight poachers who escaped crossed back to Zambia.

“Our two rangers were strategically deployed in the Zambezi National Park and at around 5am on May 21, they came into contact with 10 Zambian poachers and killed two, said Ms Washaya-Moyo.

“Eight other poachers escaped and crossed back to Zambia. We recovered an AK 47 rifle and more than 100kg of mealie-meal,” she said.

“This is a strong message to poachers never to enter our national parks,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Washaya-Moyo said there was anti-poaching activity in Save Valley Conservancy near Chiredzi, which has resulted in the arrest of 62 poachers since January and the recovery of a lot of poaching paraphernalia, such as fishing nets, bows and arrows, donkey and wire snares.

“Statistics from Save Valley Conservancy dating back to January this year show that 62 animal poachers and five fish poachers were arrested.

“The poachers killed 22 impala, 11 zebra, four eland, four buffaloes and one elephant, among others. At least one AK47 rifle, 343 wire snares, 41 rounds of ammunition, four bows and arrows, four donkeys, four bicycles and three by 100 metres long fishing nets, among other things, were recovered,” she said.

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
The matter of four suspects accused of attempting to overthrow the Government through unconstitutional means which was previously held in camera is now being heard in an open court.

The matter was remanded in open court on three occasions by magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe.

Zimbabwe People’s Front political party president Owen Kuchata (34), Borman Ngwenya (30), Silas Pfupa (37) and Solomon Makumbe (29) were yesterday back in court and were further remanded to June 23.

They are facing treason charges.

Makumbe and Pfupa’s bid for freedom recently hit a snag after their application for removal from remand was dismissed by magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

Makumbe and Pfupa are being represented by Mrs Gamuchira Dzitiro while Ngwenya is being represented by Mr Exactly Mangezi.

Kuchata is a self actor.

The quartet allegedly established a militia training base in Mapinga, Mashonaland West province, where they planned to commit terror acts, sabotage and banditry.

On January 1, this year, they allegedly proceeded to President Mugabe’s rural home in Zvimba where they carried out reconnaissance identifying suitable vulnerable points to sabotage.

It is alleged the four held several meetings at Queens Hotel in Harare mapping strategies on how they would strike.

In one of their meetings they conspired to carry out attacks using fertiliser bombs to overthrow the constitutionally elected Government of Zimbabwe.

Police received a tip-off that the four were planning to bomb Alpha Omega Dairy’s processing plant and a tuckshop during the night.

Acting on the tip-off, the police proceeded to the farm and laid an ambush about 100 metres from the quartet’s target.

At around 10pm, the detectives saw the men approaching the processing plant and immediately arrested them.

Chief Negomo

Daniel Chigunwe Herald Correspondent
Chief Negomo has appeared in court for trial where he is accused of defrauding Mvurwi Grain Marketing Board manager Sondelani Mhlanga of 140 bags of Compound D fertiliser under the Presidential Summer Crop Season.

Lucius Chibvongodze (41) pleaded not guilty when he appeared before a Bindura magistrate and will appear in court for his trial on June 6.

The State led by prosecutor Mr Elisha Singano alleges that on January 7, 2014, Chibvongodze with the intention of defrauding the GMB depot of Compound D fertiliser (meant for the 2013 /2014 Presidential Summer Crop Season inputs) approached Mhlanga with a fictitious list of 140 beneficiaries purportedly from wards 14 and 16 in Mazowe district.

The State further alleges that the GMB manager submitted to the misrepresentations and issued the accused a total of 140 bags valued at $4 760.

To fulfil his agenda, the accused converted these bags to his own use.

Acting on a tip off CID Bindura carried out investigations leading to the recovery of 70 bags valued at $ 2 652 in a Bindura shop.

Chibvongodze, who is represented by Mr Dzvetero Tapson of Antonio and Dzvetero Legal Practioners, in his defence said the charges were brought against him for cheap political mileage and to tarnish his good standing and reputation.

He also alleges that he only acted as a lobbyist after he was approached by his subjects seeking assistance with the procurement of fertiliser.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba

Crime Reporter
POLICE have urged Government to erect danger warning signs at black spots on some of the country’s major roads, following an increase in road carnage.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba made the sentiments following an accident that claimed the lives of three people outside Kwekwe.

Last Wednesday, Kwekwe businessman and owner of Steelmakers Private Limited Mr Alex Johnson, his wife Achamma and their employee died in an accident when a Mercedes Benz E320 they were travelling in collided head-on with another vehicle of the same make along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway.

The accident occurred at around 5:10pm at the 196km peg near Sable Chemical Industries outside Kwekwe. Johnson and Achamma were being driven by an employee, Mr Sherman Majuru.

The other vehicle that was Kwekwe-bound was being driven by Mr Privilege Fundira ,who had two passengers.

“This place is a black spot and the Zimbabwe Republic Police is engaging the Ministry of Roads and Infrastructure Development to erect danger warning signs,” she said.

She urged motorists to exercise caution when travelling on the road and to abide by all traffic regulations.

“Police are also concerned with the continuous loss of life on our roads.

“Drivers are just being reckless and disregard road rules and regulations.

“Be responsible. We are urging drivers to be cautious when driving on the road and avoid overtaking in front of oncoming traffic,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

Meanwhile, Snr Asst Comm Charamba has warned motorists to exercise caution when approaching controlled and uncontrolled intersections.

She said those with the right of way should also check both sides of the road before going through the intersections.

Crime Reporter
POLICE have expressed alarm over the surge in murder cases countrywide after a man was stabbed in a nightclub in Harare following a dispute over a missing carrier bag. The incident occurred last Thursday in Glen View.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the tragic incident, urging people to resolve their disputes amicably.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said two men were drinking beer at a night club in Glen View and had a misunderstanding over a missing carrier bag.

“One of the men pulled an Okapi knife which he used to stab his colleague once on the chest. The man collapsed and died on the spot,” she said.

In a separate incident, a man was killed in Kezi following a misunderstanding during a beer drink.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba dissuaded people from resolving problems when drunk.

Meanwhile, a three-month-old baby girl from Nkayi suffocated at a traditional healer’s home where her mother had taken her for treatment.

The mother had taken the baby to the traditional healer suffering from dehydration.

“Upon arrival, the traditional healer took some burning charcoal mixed with herbs.

“He took the baby and raised her above the smoke so that she could inhale the smoke for about five minutes.

“The woman was given some of the herbs mixed with water so that she could administer the concoction to the baby at home,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

The baby’s condition deteriorated and she died.

“Police are urging members of the public to consult recognised health institutions and professional health practitioners for medical assistance,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Police are also investigating a case of attempted murder which occurred in Gwanda on May 15 in Ultra suburb when a man struck his wife and child with an axe following a misunderst- anding.

“As police, we reiterate that members of the public should respect the sanctity of life and solve their differences without resorting to violence,” she said.