Category: zimbabwe

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

At least 100 000 properties countrywide are set to be connected to smart metres in 2024, as part of the National Development Strategy (NDS)’s collaboration involving the private sector, local authorities and the Government. Complementing the Government’s efforts of creating smart cities through Public Private Partnerships, leading smart metering suppliers, Private Utilities Company (PUC) has so far installed 1051 smart metres at Millennium Heights which was recently launched by President Mnangagwa, Aspindale Park, Arlington Estates and Knightsbridge under the proof of concept phase which is now going full commercial.

Mr Francis Chitanda, chief executive officer of PUC said they have partnered with developers to increase their perpetual revenue streams beyond the sale of stands and homes.

“So we have 1051 meters connected in private developments, zero with municipalities’ and we are targeting 20 000 private developers’ homes in 2024, for both gas and water meters,” he said.

“We are also targeting 30 000 municipal water meter connections and we will be commencing a smart city pilot project with the city of Masvingo at the start of 2024, for gas and water metering. We aim to connect 100 000 countrywide by the end of 2025.

“All operations have been in Harare during the proof of concept stage but from 2024, we will go nationwide with proposals being considered in wider cities like Masvingo and Bulawayo.”

A total of 150 000 housing units have been delivered so far under the NDS1, through collaboration involving the private sector, local authorities and the Government.

Under the NDS1, which spans from 2021 to 2025, the housing delivery pillar is expected to deliver 220 000 housing units by 2025, through collective efforts from stakeholders and all parties involved in human settlements.

To achieve the targets, the Government has committed to providing a conducive environment that allows broader Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) participation in housing delivery. Opportunities abound for the private sector such as designing, funding, implementing infrastructure development projects and construction of new smart cities around major towns and cities.

Gaps in offsite infrastructure, water and sewer treatment plants, green energy sources and water bodies are areas that the private sector can partner with the Government.

Mr Chitanda said smart metered estates liquid petroleum gas (LPG) should be supplied into a home the same way water was supplied through pipes, and be consumed the same way as electricity, through a smart metered system.

“The smart meters will allow revenue collection and provide funds for continued maintenance of the water infrastructure without the resident or developer injecting more money,” he said.

“There is also an environmental benefit when borehole drilling is controlled as it helps with the management of the water table rather than every individual household drilling for water. Smart meters will also eliminate the use of small storage tanks installed by each household and save the residents from purchasing expensive bulk water.”

An 11-year-old boy from Marange, Manicaland province was on Friday struck and killed by lightning while his three siblings are nursing injuries at the Victoria Chitepo Hospital in Mutare, the police have said.

The deceased and his siblings aged nine, thirteen and fifteen from Chitsuku village in Marange were sheltering from the rain in a thatched kitchen hut when it was struck by lightning and caught fire.

Meanwhile, on the same day, a man travelling to the eastern border city was robbed of about US$14 000 by five unknown suspects near Ruwa on the eastern outskirts of the capital.

The five suspects had offered the victim a lift at the Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus in the Central Business District in a Honda CRV they were travelling in.

According to the police, who appealed for information which might to the arrest of the five suspects, the complainant was stabbed with a knife in the thigh and back several times before the criminals stole US$14 035 and a smartphone handset.

Separately the police appealed for information to identify the body of a man which was found near Spar Supermarket, Current Shopping Centre in Budiriro 5A with a deep cut on the head.

The man was wearing black trousers and a torn purple shirt.

Meanwhile police in Mazowe, about 38 kilometres north of the capital, on Saturday arrested Leeward Chawata (24) at Jumbo Mine after they found him in possession of an unlicensed pistol while he was fighting with some artisanal miners.

Chawata was arrested by a police team on an operation to stamp out violent illegal artisanal mining in the area, code-named ‘No to machete gangs/Chikorokoza ngachipere/Isitsheketsha kasiphele’. – New Ziana

Crime Reporter

Police in Manyame District, Mashonaland West province have deployed adequate human resources to thwart any criminal elements especially along the major highways and residential areas. According to police in the area, during the period between January and November this year they received a total of 7 236 reports of crimes of concern as compared to 7 229 recieved during the same period last year.

Manyame District covers areas such as Norton (along Bulawayo Road), up to Nyabira (along Harare-Chirundu Road), Zvimba, Darwendale, Zvimba, Kutama, and Saruwe among other areas.

Police in the area have started mounting roadblocks as well as conducting patrols.

Speaking during a crime awareness campaign in Norton yesterday, the Officer Commanding Manyame District, Chief Superintendent Resistant Ncube, expressed concern over a slight increase in criminal activities in and around the area.

He assured that the police have been heavily deployed to thwart any criminal activities especially during this season.

“We have come here as police leadership in this area to conduct crime awareness campaigns during this festive season were the country normally experience an increase in crimes of concerns.

“Some of these crimes include armed robberies, domestic violence, unlawful theft and entry, rape, murder cases emanating from beer drinking sprees and taking illicit substances, among others,” he said.

Chief Supt Ncube called on the public to work with the police to curb some of these activities as well as to respect the sanctity of human life.
He said as police they were concerned with some of these cases.

“During the period between January and November 2023, in Manyame District we received a total of 7 236 cases of crime while in 2022, between January and November we received 7 229 cases, meaning that there was an increase,” he said.

“It is disheartening to also note that some of these crimes included rape among women and girls and this calls for all of us to work together to curb such crimes,” Chief Supt Ncube said.

He urged the public to ensure that when a victim was raped or sexual  abused, they should quickly make a report to the police and that the victim should be taken to a doctor within 72 hours.

Chief Supt Nube also warned against child marriages, saying it was a very serious offence.

He also warned criminal elements that the long arm of the law will soon catch-up with them as the police will not rest until they are arrested and prosecuted.

Along the highways, he said, they have deployed adequate manpower to ensure that there is sanity on the roads.

Chief Supt Ncube urged people to ensure that they lock doors during the night and to put adequate security measures at their residential areas to avoid break ins.

The public was also urged to avoid keeping large amounts of cash in their homes to avoid being targeted by robbers while farmers were also urged to follow the normal procedures when selling their livestock.

“I would also want to take this opportunity to warn cattle rustlers who might want to take advantage of this period to steal livestock that they will be arrested including all those who connive with such criminals.

“We will also be visiting some of the butchery and abattoir owners as we suspect that some of them are buying stolen livestock from thieves for resale at their business premises,” Chief Supt Ncube said.

He said they were also aware of some people who are selling meat in buckets and boot of their cars at various places.

Drug dealers and peddlers have also been warned that they will be arrested under the ongoing operation being conducted countrywide.

Mukudzei Chingwere
 Herald Reporter

Police have arrested three suspects in connection with a gold rush in the affluent suburb of Mtausi Park in Gweru as the Government takes a stand against illegal mining.President Mnangagwa is on record that the Second Republic will not tolerate illegal mining and that mining must be done in a proper and environmentally friendly manner.

Police are now working with relevant Government entities to find a lasting solution to the Mtausi Park issue which has had sporadic gold invasions.

Police confirmed the arrests of the suspects on their official and verified microblogging site, X formerly Twitter, yesterday.

“The ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) confirms that a report of gold panning and rush was received in Gweru’s Cowfold Park and Mtausi residential area,” reads part of the post.

“The situation is now under control with Police, EMA (Environmental Management Agency), Ministry of Mines and Mining Development working to resolve the issue with the stand owners.

“Three suspects have been arrested in connection with this case.”

The arrest of the suspects follows an invasion of the Mtausi Park residential area with some illegal miners bringing detectors, and tilling material among other things.

Their presence in the area was proving to be a security risk before the intervention of the police, with residents terrified by the presence of illegal miners.

Crime Reporter

A 42-year-old Zvishavane businesswoman was shot dead by a lone armed robber who robbed her of US$100 at her home last week.Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect who is still at large.

Investigations revealed that the robber had intercepted Mercy Hwahwa’s employee who was coming from the shop to surrender cash which had been realised from daily sales.

He then force-marched the employee to Hwahwa’s house where he demanded the cash.

An argument arose resulting in Hwahwa being shot once in the head and she died on admission at Zvishavane Hospital.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may assist in the investigation of a case of murder of a shop owner, Mercy Hwahwa (42) who was brutally killed on 13th December 2023, at a house in Maglas, Zvishavane.

“An unknown suspect who was armed with an unidentified pistol and wearing a face mask intercepted Mercy Hwahwa’s employee who was coming from the shop to Mercy Hwahwa’s residence to hand over cash realised from daily sales. The suspect forced the employee to show him Mercy Hwahwa’s residence saying that he had inside information that Mercy Hwahwa had cash received from a savings club (mukando),” he said.

He said when the suspect arrived at the house, he demanded cash from Mercy Hwahwa, who denied having any and then shot her in the head with a pistol.

“The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash, two cellphones and US$IOO realised from daily sales at the shop. Mercy Hwahwa was taken to Zvishavane Hospital where she died upon admission.

“Anyone with information to contact National Complaints Desk on (0242) 70 3631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.