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A 12-YEAR-OLD boy from Lupane who was last week convicted of raping his three-year-old neighbour at a school cottage told a court that he decided to experiment after watching a pornographic video on a friend’s cellphone. The juvenile, who cannot be named because he is a minor appeared before regional magistrate, Mr Collet Ncube facing […]

AN inmate has been on the run for over three weeks after he used a prison officer’s uniform to disguise himself and escape while he was part of a work party. Witness Ncube (27), an inmate serving a three-year sentence for robbery and armed robbery, reportedly stole the uniform of one of the prison officers […]

THREE police officers, one of them a senior cop were arrested on Friday when they were found with 15 different types of guns, more than 180 live bullets and several other assortment of related armaments which were not accounted for by the force. David Fugao, whose age was not given but is an Officer-in-Charge at […]

Source: Zimra official mauled by dogs at Chinese factory | Newsday (News)

BY OBEY MANAYITI

A ZIMBABWE Revenue Authority (Zimra) official was on Wednesday mauled by dogs at a Chinese-owned warehouse in Southerton during an operation to smoke out smuggling of goods into the country.

According to witnesses, the Zimra officials who were driving in a branded car went and parked at the entrance gate and proceeded to knock. A Chinese lady, one Alice Wang reportedly came out and reportedly watched as her dogs jumped on the female Zimra official.

Zimra spokesperson Francis Chimanda confirmed the incident and said the matter was reported to Southerton Police Station and investigations are in progress.

“A team of Zimra employees visited a client’s premises on March 20, 2019 to conduct a routine verification,” he said.

“Upon arrival at the premises the proprietor of the premises opened the gate to receive the officers, and two of their guard dogs came out of the premises and attacked one of the officers. The officer suffered injuries on the leg and was taken to the hospital by her colleagues for treatment.”

However Wang denied reports that she set the dogs on the official, saying she regretted the incident.

“I didn’t set the dogs. We know each other so as I was greeting her, my dogs probably felt jealous and attacked her. That was a mistake and we went to Southerton Police and we also took her to hospital,” Wang said.

She said they are into the business of making sheets and comforters.

Witnesses told NewsDay Weekender that they suspected the mauling was planned because the business people were probably trying to hide something from Zimra officials.

“They keep dogs at their business premise and on this particular incident; they were trying to avoid being investigated. In these Chinese-owned premises, a lot is happening that must be investigated.

“They also have some cameras outside the gate and they were sure of what they were doing because they didn’t want to be exposed. These people do all they can to cover-up their dealings,” a source privy to the matter said.

Police at Southerton station confirmed receiving the report on Wednesday and said they later forwarded the matter to Mbare, since it falls in that jurisdiction.

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Source: Tobacco deliveries down 98pc – DailyNews Live

Business Writer      23 March 2019

ZIMBABWE’S tobacco deliveries slumped to its lowest levels ever after farmers brought in 3 886 kilogrammes of the golden leaf on the first day compared to 165 105kg in 2018, showing a 97,65 percent decrease.

Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show that tobacco farmers earned a paltry $7 116 on day one, compared to $366 003 last year, after selling 2 449kg at Tobacco Sales Floor and 1 437 kg at Premier Tobacco Floor while no sales were recorded at Boka Tobacco Sales Floor.

This was after farmers had got information that they were no longer getting their dues in foreign currency as previously announced by the central bank.
However, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya yesterday said tobacco farmers will continue to get 50 percent of their payments in foreign currency, with the remainder being paid RTGS dollars.

“In addition to accessing cash at a rate of RTGS$0,50 per kg of tobacco sold, and up to a maximum of RTGS$300, the small-scale tobacco growers – those growers with two hectares and below –  are eligible for a United States Dollars cash withdrawal of US$0,10 per kg of tobacco sold per bale, up to a maximum of US$50,00, after their Nostro FCA bank accounts have been accredited with the foreign currency entitlement,” he said.
Tobacco deliveries improved slightly on the second day to 59 314kg resulting in farmers earning $87 000, but was still 64 percent lower than 165 000kg delivered during the same period last year.
TIMB chairperson Monica Chinamasa said it was important for authorities in the tobacco industry to avail requisite marketing information to farmers to ensure a smooth marketing season.

“This marketing season is coinciding with new developments in the economy and calls for greater need for information dissemination to the growers for them to understand issues before they come to market their crop,” she said.

“The RBZ and TIMB have jointly put in place payment measures to ensure tobacco growers get full value for their crop and being paid within the shortest possible time,” she added.

Zimbabwe last year saw 252 million kg of the golden leaf being delivered to the auction floors compared to the previous record of 231 million kilogrammes in 2000, and there were indications that deliveries could increase this year.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who was guest of honour at the auction floors on Wednesday said tobacco, a crop that was once the preserve of white commercial farmers, is arguably one of the success stories of agriculture and our land reform.

“This is a significant achievement for the country’s economy. It is also pleasing that there has been an increase in the number of women farmers that have gone into tobacco production in the past few years,” he said.

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