Beitbridge readies for Easter traffic surge

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.   The Beitbridge Border Post now features three terminals, catering for freight, buses and private vehicles and pedestrian traffic, following its US$300m transformation. Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau THE country’s border authorities are prepared to handle the expected increase in traffic over the Easter holidays at the end of the month […]

The post Beitbridge readies for Easter traffic surge appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

Beitbridge readies for Easter traffic surge 
The Beitbridge Border Post now features three terminals, catering for freight, buses and private vehicles and pedestrian traffic, following its US$300m transformation.

Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau

THE country’s border authorities are prepared to handle the expected increase in traffic over the Easter holidays at the end of the month and the start of April. 

Good Friday falls on March 29 and Easter Monday, the fourth day of the holiday, on April 1.

The Beitbridge Border Post now features three terminals, catering for freight, buses and private vehicles and pedestrian traffic, following its US$300m transformation.

The number of travellers passing through the border is expected to rise in the coming weeks, possibly exceeding the 52 000 who crossed last year during Easter. 

An average 12 000 travellers a day use the border post at off peak and peak periods and that number is likely to increase to about 20 000 a day over the Easter holidays.

Regional Immigration Officer-in-Charge of Beitbridge Mr Joshua Chibundu said that they had adequate manpower to handle the increase and urged travellers to ensure they have all the necessary documents with them.

“Following the recent deployment of additional staff and the separation of traffic into the three terminals, we anticipate to have no problem in the clearance of large volumes of traffic associated with Easter holidays,” he said.

“We have cancelled leave days so that we have all hands on deck. In fact, there will be a standby team to ensure that we have adequate staff in the event that large volumes of travellers approach the border. Travellers are as usual encouraged to avoid side dealings. They must note that immigration counters do not require the use of agents.”

Mr Chibundu said those travelling with children should ensure that they have all the relevant documents. 

He encouraged parents to stop handing their minor children to bus conductors and omalayitsha (cross border transporters) since the security of their children was not guaranteed.

Zimborders Consortium chief executive officer Mr Francois Diedrechsen said they will use the same systems, which they employed in December for the festive season.

“We are ready and will use the same plans implemented during the festive season, whereby there is some additional staffing planned for the vehicles and bus terminals since this is where Easter traffic generally picks up and not really at the commercial section,” he said.

“Working together with some border agencies, we will be utilising some additional temporary clearance areas in the parking facilities, which will only be used during peak hours if so required.”

The post Beitbridge readies for Easter traffic surge appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Bulawayo fire fighting inspires peers, region

  The Operation Florian team and Bulawayo City Council fire brigade team follow proceedings during a meeting yesterday Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, thandeka.moyo@chronicle.co.zw  BULAWAYO has become the nerve centre for capacity building and training of fire-fighters across the country and in the region through a successful partnership with Operation Florian of the United Kingdom (UK). Due to improved […]

The post Bulawayo fire fighting inspires peers, region appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Bulawayo fire fighting inspires peers, region 
The Operation Florian team and Bulawayo City Council fire brigade team follow proceedings during a meeting yesterday

Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, thandeka.moyo@chronicle.co.zw 

BULAWAYO has become the nerve centre for capacity building and training of fire-fighters across the country and in the region through a successful partnership with Operation Florian of the United Kingdom (UK).

Due to improved services, the Bulawayo Fire Brigade is one of the trusted emergency services in the country, servicing the wider southern parts of the country. 

Among its strides, the Bulawayo Fire Brigade was last year honoured after it successfully extinguished a raging fire that could have destroyed the Treger Products manufacturing unit in Belmont and saved property worth millions of United States dollars. 

As an appreciation to the fire department, Treger Products renovated the Bulawayo Fire Brigade kitchen in Famona and offered stoves and dining furniture.

A 21-member delegation from the UK Fire and Rescue Service charity is in Bulawayo for two weeks to train 150 fire fire-fighters from Bulawayo City Council and other local authorities in the country. 

To further enhance Bulawayo’s ability to react swiftly to any fire incident, Operation Florian has donated three more fighter tenders that are expected to be delivered this week, which brings to 20 fire tenders that have been received from the charity organisation since 2011 when the partnership was formed, the city’s chamber secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, said. 

So far under the programme, a total of 800 fire-fighters have been trained including personnel from Botswana and Zambia. 

The partnership has also helped Bulawayo secure critical equipment, and protective clothing as well as gain technical expertise. 

Speaking during a courtesy call to the mayor, Councillor David Coltart, yesterday, Mrs Zhou said the visiting team comprised 21 fire-fighters including six students from the University of Central Lancashire, who will be conducting courses that include strategic management, breathing apparatus, road traffic collision and community safety. 

“The partnership with the university came three years after we had engaged Operation Florian as we wanted to build a collaboration so that the future fire-fighters of the UK have a relationship with Bulawayo. 

“We’re happy that one of the students who came with the team 10 years ago is now a fire-fighter. 

In terms of training, everything is set and amongst those training, we don’t only have those from BCC but students from Hwange ZPC, Hwange Local Board, Mutare Fire Brigade, Plumtree Fire Brigade, Gweru, Shurugwi, Karoi, Chegutu, Victoria Falls and Chipinge Fire Brigade,” said Mrs Zhou. 

“So, we have the whole country represented in the training and we now have lots of people attracted to this programme, which is a result of our partnership. 

We have also received three fire engines, which we expect to be in Bulawayo by the end of this week. 

“This partnership has also made our fire-fighters competitive, which is a disadvantage because monthly we have some resigning and going to Arab countries, etc.” 

Mayor David Coltart

Mrs Zhou said she was hopeful that as they train more fire-fighters in Bulawayo, they will eventually come back and plough back into the city when they relocate to other lucrative destinations. 

Bulawayo acting chief fire officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo said some of the fire-fighters who leave the city were helping in drilling boreholes to ensure that fire services are not disrupted as the city is facing water woes. 

“This training will benefit fire-fighters from 10 other local authorities around the country as a result of this partnership, which has made our team very competent,” he said. 

“Our Bulawayo fire-fighters are the most sought after and many have left destined for Asia, mainly the Arab countries including Qatar and UAE. 

We have also benefitted in terms of latest firefighting equipment and we have line inductors and top-notch rescue equipment, which is why our services are the best,” said Mr Moyo.

“In terms of technical expertise even in managing these emergencies, we have the best as we continually engage with our peers from Operation Florian. 

“Since 2011 we have trained more than 800 fire-fighters. When we started the whole country came to Bulawayo for training and we have had people from Zambia and Botswana coming all the way to train.” 

Mr Moyo said after training in Bulawayo, Zambian counterparts had started a university project to train fire-fighters, an idea mulled during Operation Florian. 

Besides the fire tenders, Operation Florian also sends containers with equipment and materials vital for the training and for the emergency personnel to use on completion of the training.

The post Bulawayo fire fighting inspires peers, region appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Fake private investigator in court for fraud

Yeukai Karengezeka Court Correspondent A man from Eastview, who lied that he was a private investigator and got paid US$800 to carry out an assignment which he never delivered appeared in court on Saturday. Blessward Rufaro Zvikaramba (27), appeared before Harare magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini charged with fraud. He was remanded out of custody until April […]

The post Fake private investigator in court for fraud appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Fake private investigator in court for fraud

Yeukai Karengezeka Court Correspondent

A man from Eastview, who lied that he was a private investigator and got paid US$800 to carry out an assignment which he never delivered appeared in court on Saturday.

Blessward Rufaro Zvikaramba (27), appeared before Harare magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini charged with fraud.

He was remanded out of custody until April 22.

The complainant in this case is Ashleigh Kuda Masango.

The State alleged that on January 24, at around 1:30 pm at Joina City, corner Innez Terrez and Jason Moyo, in Harare CBD, Zvikaramba misrepresented to Masango that he was a director of a registered private investigations company in Zimbabwe.

Acting upon that misrepresentation, Masango hired Zvikaramba to assist him in tracking down one Wilson Magadza, who owed him money.

He paid him US$800 with the trust that he would track down and apprehend Magadza.

Masango filed a police report after discovering that he had been duped, as Zvikaramba had failed to perform the given task.

According to the investigations instituted by the police, it was established that Zvikaramba is not a director of any registered private investigations company in Zimbabwe.

The total value prejudiced is US$800 and nothing was recovered.

The post Fake private investigator in court for fraud appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Copper cable theft couple to appear in court today

  Tonnes of stolen cables recovered in Mahatshula suburb Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw A NOTORIOUS syndicate comprising husband and wife, as well as two other accomplices that were found in possession of five tonnes of copper cables worth US$131 000 at their rented house in Mahatshula suburb, are expected to appear in court today. The four-member syndicate […]

The post Copper cable theft couple to appear in court today appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Copper cable theft couple to appear in court today 
Tonnes of stolen cables recovered in Mahatshula suburb

Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw

A NOTORIOUS syndicate comprising husband and wife, as well as two other accomplices that were found in possession of five tonnes of copper cables worth US$131 000 at their rented house in Mahatshula suburb, are expected to appear in court today.

The four-member syndicate was arrested on Saturday afternoon in the suburb, by a crack CID Homicide team, following a meticulous two-week surveillance operation.

Tapfumaneyi Muzarabani (48) and Tracy Ncube (46), alongside their alleged accomplices, Alan Mudjiwa (28) and Hebron Chiyangwa (27), are believed to be connected to extensive copper cable thefts in the city.

Cable thieves

In an interview yesterday, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said the stolen loot included that of Zesa, NRZ and TelOne.

“We met with stakeholders from Zesa, TelOne and NRZ to ascertain the origins of the copper. We discovered that 3, 42 tonnes belonged to Zesa and the stash is worth US$68 000. Also, 100 kgs of the copper worth US$2 000 originated from TelOne infrastructure and 2, 430 kgs of the copper worth US$8  000 belongs to NRZ,” said Insp Ncube.

He said the remaining 2, 6 tonnes of copper, which is made up of scrap, is worth US$52  000.

Insp Ncube said the number of cases being recorded throughout the country are worrisome and detrimental to the revival of the country’s economy, especially as such theft and vandalism erodes strides towards attaining an upper-middle income economy by 2023.

“The consequences of these criminal activities are severe. They affect service delivery and also cause fatalities in hospitals. Our water supplies in the city are also affected due to disruptions and extended power outages affecting numerous citizens,” said Insp Ncube.

He said police are yet to identify the target market for cable thieves and vowed that the long arm of the law would no doubt dismantle and arrest all cartels.

The House which the suspected copper cable syndicate was allegedly renting in Mahatshula suburb

“Investigations are in progress. It may take time but the end result is that we will bring all the suspects to book,” said Insp Ncube.

In January this year , the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) raised concern over the increasing problem of vandalism and theft of its property, with over 1 500 cases recorded in 2023.

According to the power utility, the increase in vandalism has a severe impact on the country’s power supply and costs millions of dollars in repairs and replacements.

“In 2023 alone, a total of 1 569 cases of vandalism and theft were reported and of these cases, 172 arrests were made and 33 cases were convicted. 

“We urge all stakeholders to join forces to protect electrical infrastructure,” the power utility said in a statement.

In December last year, large areas of the Eastern Highlands region, including popular tourist resorts in Vumba, were left without electricity after thieves stole five kilometres of cable.

ZETDC has also called for coordinated efforts to curb the vandalism, warning that the problem could lead to more frequent disruptions in electricity supply.

“Vandalism has become a menace and the utility is battling to keep up with the replacement of stolen power lines and transformers. We urge all stakeholders to join forces to protect electrical infrastructure.

“The utility would like to reiterate its support and commitment to provide power to all essential industries of the economy. 

“This is inclusive of the tourism and hospitality industry, where measures are in place to ensure that industry players always have power supply,” said ZETDC in the statement.

Bulawayo has since paid heed to the call and several arrests of copper cable thieves have been made, to attest to the effort.

The post Copper cable theft couple to appear in court today appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Woman strikes rival with machete

  Delia Mukonyora (second from left) arrives at Harare Magistrates Court yesterday on allegations of striking her husband’s suspected girlfriend with a machete. — Picture: Lee Maidza. Yeukai Karengezeka–Court Correspondent  A WOMAN from Domboshava appeared in court yesterday for allegedly attacking a woman she suspected to be dating her husband. Delia Mukonyora (38) appeared before […]

The post Woman strikes rival with machete appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Woman strikes rival with machete 
Delia Mukonyora (second from left) arrives at Harare Magistrates Court yesterday on allegations of striking her husband’s suspected girlfriend with a machete. — Picture: Lee Maidza.

Yeukai KarengezekaCourt Correspondent 

A WOMAN from Domboshava appeared in court yesterday for allegedly attacking a woman she suspected to be dating her husband.

Delia Mukonyora (38) appeared before regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje charged with attempted murder and was remanded in custody to Thursday for bail application.

State prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti alleged that on Saturday, Mukonyora approached Ellen Malungisa and accused her of snatching her husband .

She then attacked her several times with a machete and was promptly apprehended by members of the public. 

Ms Malungisa sustained some injuries and is in hospital.

Meanwhile, a security guard, Milan Marangwanda (19), who accidentally shot a colleague on the knee while he was holding his gun, has appeared in court facing attempted murder charges.

He was admitted to US$100 bail and returns to court on April 8.

The same prosecutor alleged that on March 4 at around 5.15 pm, Marangwanda was sitting in a truck together with the colleague when he was handed a .22 Pietro Beretta pistol to use on duty. 

The court heard he accidentally squeezed the trigger and shot the colleague once on the left leg above the knee. The bullet head was logged inside the leg.

The post Woman strikes rival with machete appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.