Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Dismembered body found on railway tracks, police suspect staged murder – herald

Trish Mukwazo, trishmukwazo515@gmail.com

A POLICE investigation is underway after the dismembered body of a man, believed to be in his early 20s, was discovered on railway tracks beneath the Luveve Road flyover yesterday morning, with authorities immediately suspecting a murder staged to appear as a suicide rather than a train accident.

Residents who rushed to the scene were met with a gruesome sight. The body lay on the tracks, with some limbs scattered nearby, sparking horror and disbelief among onlookers. When a Zimpapers’ news crew arrived, a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) goods train had come to a halt near the body, its engine still running. Police officers were present, along with a growing crowd of shocked residents.

Initial speculation suggested the man had been struck by the train. However, NRZ public relations manager Mr Andrew Kunambura quickly dismissed that theory.

“When our crew spotted the body from a distance, they immediately applied the brakes and managed to stop the train before reaching the victim. Upon disembarking, they found the man was already dead. We suspect he may have been killed elsewhere and his body dumped on the railway line to suggest he had committed suicide or been hit by the train,” he said.

Provincial police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed that investigations are now underway to determine the cause and circumstances of the man’s death.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been established. His body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

This is not the first disturbing incident to occur along this stretch of railway line. In October last year, a 62-year-old homeless man, Everton Mlalazi, narrowly escaped death after an NRZ engineman spotted him sleeping on the tracks and managed to bring the train to a halt just in time.

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Source: Zim mineral exports register 13pc surge – herald

Martin Kadzere

Zimbabwe’s mineral export volume rose by 13 percent in the four months to April 2025 compared to the same period last year, driven by significant increases across major minerals, according to the latest figures from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).

Of particular significance was the commencement of steel exports, driven by the commissioning of the Manhize plant, signalling Zimbabwe’s return to the regional iron and steel markets.

Despite an increase in sales volume, the MMCZ, the Government-owned marketing agency for all minerals except gold and silver, reported a 27 percent decline in value terms, largely due to a sharp drop in Platinum Group Metals (PGMs).

For the first four months, the MMCZ reported selling about 1,5 million tonnes of minerals valued at US$779,7 million.

This compares to April 2024, when the corporation sold 1,3 million tonnes valued at US$1 billion.

The MMCZ noted that the beneficiation tax has significantly impacted major PGM producers, leading to Mimosa Mining Company, a key player, being unable to sell any concentrate since February.

Platinum prices reached a two-year high last Friday, hitting US$1 097.54 per ounce, a level not seen since May 2023 due to tightening markets resulting from falling supply and increased investment demand.

Top five minerals that contributed to revenue were PGMs matte, with 7 027.74 ounces sold generating US$300 million, spodumene, with 349 934 tonnes generating US$132,5 million, high carbon ferrochrome, with 127 983 tonnes realising US$98 million, coke, with 354 176 tonnes raking in US$68 million and diamonds, with 1 906,280.57 carats sold generating US$53 million.

The country exported 86 552 tonnes of steel products. While the figures represent cumulative sales for the period, DISCO began its steel shipments recently and the numbers do not necessarily reflect steel shipments from January.

Although initial exports have commenced with South Africa, contracts have already been secured with firms in the DRC, Zambia, and Mozambique. The shipments to these regional markets are expected to begin shortly, further solidifying Zimbabwe’s re-emergence as a significant steel supplier in southern Africa.

The export sales figures from the MMCZ do not include gold exports, which fall under the purview of Fidelity Gold Refineries, an arm of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries for April 2025 surged to approximately 3,9 tonnes, a substantial 62,5 percent increase from the 2,4 tonnes recorded during the same month last year.

This significant growth was primarily fuelled by a more than doubling of deliveries from small-scale producers, according to Fidelity Gold Refiners, the government’s sole gold buying agency.

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Source: Zanu-PF steps up campaign to retain Insiza North seat – herald

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw

ZANU-PF has intensified its campaign efforts ahead of the Insiza North by-election, scheduled for 14 June, as the ruling party seeks to retain the parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of Cde Farai Taruvinga in March.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland South Provincial Chairman, Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, stated that the party has mobilised its support structures from the provincial level down to the grassroots in a vigorous campaign drive. He noted that the response from the electorate has been highly encouraging.

“Our campaign is in full swing, and we have taken it up a notch. We will intensify it further as we approach the election. Our aim is to visit every village and reach every homestead in the constituency through our mobilisation teams,” he said.

Cde Ndlovu, who recently visited Wards 7 and 13, said residents in the area were eager to vote for Zanu-PF and continue the development agenda initiated by the late Cde Taruvinga.

“The people are raring to go. They want to vote Zanu-PF back into office to carry forward the development work that had already begun under the late Cde Taruvinga,” he said.

He said the party’s campaign strategy is anchored on President Mnangagwa’s message that Zanu-PF is a “big bag that accommodates everyone, but does not fit into anyone’s pocket” — a metaphor highlighting the party’s broad-based appeal.

He said that the outreach programme targets not only party members but also undecided voters.
“We are rolling out a massive vote mobilisation exercise to ensure that even non-party members make the wise choice of voting Zanu-PF. I’m confident that through our strategies and the party’s proven record, we will retain the seat,” said Cde Ndlovu.

The Insiza North by-election will be contested by candidates from four political parties who successfully filed their nomination papers at the Gwanda Provincial Magistrates’ Court. These are: Cde Delani Moyo of Zanu-PF, Mr Thabani Mlotshwa of Zapu, Mr Lesley Dube (Independent), and Mr Mbongeni Moyo of the Zimbabwe National Revival Party.

Cde Moyo said he was honoured to represent the party and pledged to work tirelessly to defend the seat.
“The groundwork had already started, and we’re now taking it further. I will be engaging directly with the people, explaining the development that Zanu-PF and the Government intend to deliver — not only as a party, but as their servant,” he said.

He committed to prioritising key aspects of Vision 2030, the Government’s blueprint for economic growth and improved livelihoods.

“My focus is to further the Vision 2030 agenda so that we realise the development we need. This includes improved roads, better water supply, and the construction of essential infrastructure such as schools, clinics, and bridges,” he said.

Cde Moyo expressed confidence that Zanu-PF would retain the seat, citing the party’s strong grassroots support.
“I’m confident that our members will turn out in numbers to defend the party. People can expect the much-needed development to come to fruition,” he said.

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Source: Chitungwiza eyes growth with town expansion project – herald

Emmanuel Kafe

Chitungwiza is setting its sights on a major transformation that aims to shed its long-standing identity as Harare’s dormitory town and evolve into an independent, sustainable and resilient urban centre by the year 2045.

This ambitious vision was presented last week by Chitungwiza Municipality’s Director of Works, Mr Talent Mushinga, during a workshop where local authorities in Harare Metropolitan Province updated Minister Charles Tavengwa on their draft master plans.

Key development proposals within the Municipality’s Master Plan include an expanded Chitungwiza Town Centre, the establishment of four commercial corridors along Seke, Hadzinanhanga and Mharapara, and Chaminuka roads, and the creation of six high order commercial nodes in areas such as Chigovanyika-Huruyadzo, Unit L, Makoni, St Mary’s Police Station, and Nyatsime.

Additionally, three new commercial centres are envisioned in Nyatsime, Unit L Extension, and Damview.

Mr Mushinga said infrastructure upgrades are also central to the plan and will feature new road construction and rehabilitation, traffic signals and paving from the Town Centre to Seke Road.

“The development of new health centres (including a district hospital, four new clinics, and four polyclinic upgrades), and a new cemetery in Manyame through joint identification and development is also envisioned.

“High-order residential areas are planned for Nyatsime College (western end) and Anglican Church Land (Tilcor Road), alongside a traffic circle linking new and existing roads, a tourism-heritage trail, water and sewer augmentation, a civic centre, and new parks and leisure centres,” he said.

He said their 2045 Master Plan will achieve this by focusing on attaining infrastructure self-sufficiency, optimising land utilisation, and fostering the development of integrated commercial nodes and corridors.

“The goal is to enhance land use, bolster economic performance, improve social services, and strengthen public safety within the municipality,” he said.

“Implementation of the master plan will be phased through short, medium, and long-term proposals, each with estimated costs.”

Despite having a major industrial area, Chitungwiza has lacked a focal central business district and relies mainly on Harare for commercial activities and even basic services like treated water.

The town’s wastewater treatment system has long been non-functional, and urban planning has been strained by land grabbing and informality.

Minister Tavengwa said the Master Plans are part of the Second Republic’s ongoing efforts to address the current challenges faced by local authorities.

“I am glad to report that out of the four local authorities, three — Chitungwiza, Epworth, and Ruwa — managed to submit their plans, while Harare could not finalise its plan. We are now in the consultation stage, engaging the general public. The delays were mainly due to funding issues,” he said.

He added that the engagement dovetailed well with President Mnangagwa’s call-to-action plan for all local authorities, which is aimed at improving service delivery and modernising their operations.

The plan, launched in 2023 and titled “A Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery,” is designed to drive progress towards achieving specific goals by 2030.

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Zvikomborero Parafini

FORMER Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono is expected to make an appearance in court on June 13 as a key witness in a fraud case in which a Harare couple − Clark and Beverly Makoni − are being accused of a fraudulent takeover of his company involving ZW$172 million.

The couple has denied the allegations, which they described as malicious, and they have always insisted that only Gono can set the record straight.

Gono’s appearance in court will signal the close of the State’s case as prosecutor Heather Muokoto indicated that she will lead Gono and Eric Chacha, the investigating officer, and rest her case.

The defence said they were “ready” for Gono’s appearance as he is the star witness.

Allegations against the couple are that the two allegedely forged company documents in which Clark appointed himself director and company secretary.

Beverly was his deputy.

The State alleges that the couple misrepresented to the bank that they were the new shareholders of Valley Lodge and wanted to change signatories to its bank accounts.

The State claims the couple then fraudulently took over the complainant’s company and gained access to its bank accounts and stole money amounting to ZW$137 736 500.

On Friday the State brought another witness, Fadzai Chiro, a former accountant at Valley Lodge in Mutare.

She said she had no knowledge of the allegations and got to know about them when her statement was recorded.

She denied that Clark and Beverly Makoni were managing the lodge as Estate Agents.

She said she had never met Beverly and only saw her for the first time when they met in court.

“I was the accountant and I was responsible for preparing salary schedules. I only know Clark as the person who interviewed me for the job.

“This is my first time to see Beverly Makoni here in court. I only interacted with her on the phone.

“I got to know about the allegations when I was called to give a statement,” she said.

Chiro said the salary schedules never changed during her time there.

“Some of the employees said they had been there when the lodge was being owned by a white man. The schedules did not change and I would prepare it on instruction from my manager Elizabeth Tachiona,” she said.

She said money at the lodge was received by the front office and taken to the accounts office.

“There were about 17 rooms for accommodation. The lodge operated by offering accommodation, restaurant and events.

“People would pay at the front office,” she said.

The post EX-RBZ CHIEF GONO TO TESTIFY IN FRAUD CASE appeared first on herald.

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