A 30-year-old man from Mwenezi, Masvingo Province, is facing charges of murder and attempted murder after he fatally assaulted his wife and injured his mother-in-law in a fit of rage on Sunday.
The suspect, Trust Bhonde, is currently in police custody following the violent incident involving his wife, Nollen Rivete (27), and his mother-in-law, Manyuke Sasai (50).
According to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Bhonde set fire to a hut where his wife and mother-in-law were sleeping in Sikomo Village, Mwenezi.
When the two women managed to escape the flames, Bhonde struck his mother-in-law on the head with a hoe before attacking his wife multiple times.
Rivete suffered severe head injuries and later died, while Sasai also sustained head injuries and lost consciousness. Reads the Police statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms the arrest of Trust Bhonde (30) in connection with a case of murder and attempted murder which occurred at Sikomo Village, Mwenezi on 12/01/25 in which his wife, Nollen Rivete (27) died.
The suspect allegedly set a kitchen hut ablaze in which the victim and his mother in-law, Manyuke Sasai (50) were sleeping in.
Subsequently, the suspect went on to strike his mother in-law on the head with a hoe before hitting his wife several times on the head as they escaped from the burning hut.
Resultantly, Manyuke Sasai sustained head injuries and became unconscious while Nollen Rivete sustained head injuries and succumbed to the injuries.
</blockquote>
In a separate case, Police in Budiriro are investigating the murder of an unidentified adult male whose body was found floating in a stream in Budiriro, Harare on Tuesday.
The victim had bruises on his back and thighs, and was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a black t-shirt, white socks, and white sneakers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A 30-year-old man in Zimbabwe hurt his wife and mother-in-law really badly. He set their hut on fire where they were sleeping. When they ran out, he hit them with a tool. The wife got hurt badly and passed away. The mother-in-law also got hurt and fainted. The police arrested the man for murder and attempted murder. He is in trouble now for what he did. It's really sad and scary when someone hurts others like that. The man should have controlled his anger and not hurt them.

30-Year-Old Man Kills Wife, Injures Mother-in-Law In Brutal Attack

The mother of late musician, Paul Matavire, has died. Gogo Matavire, whose full name was Makhanani Mafirechuma Matavire died from stroke complications. She died at home in Maranda, Dinhe, an area in Mwenezi District.
Gogo Matavire suffered a stroke and was being treated regularly at a nearby hospital but her condition deteriorated recently.
She was buried on Wednesday 11 September at Dinhe, in Mwenezi. She was aged 92.
At the funeral, one of her sons, Watson Matavire said,
<blockquote>
“She was the force behind our success, and her passing on marks the end of an era. She was not just a mother to Paul and us, but to many Zimbabweans.” 
</blockquote>
Paul Matavire himself died in 2005 aged 44.
More: <a href="https://hevoifm.co.zw/mwenezi-pays-tribute-to-two-prominent-figures/">HevoiFM</a>

Paul Matavire's mother, Gogo Matavire, passed away at the age of 92 due to complications from a stroke. She was being treated in the hospital but her condition got worse. She was buried in Dinhe, Mwenezi. Her son Watson Matavire said she was the reason for their success. Paul Matavire, her son, also a musician, died in 2005 at the age of 44. People from Mwenezi are paying tribute to both of them.

Paul "Dr Love" Matavire's Mother Dies

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of a fourth suspect linked to the robbery of passengers and crew on a Beitbridge-bound Blue Circle Buses coach at Vilivili Bus Stop in Mwenezi on Wednesday.
On Friday, July 19th, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of three of the five suspects: Ashton Siziva (26), Sauro Dadirai (24), and Phineas Shumba (25). They were apprehended at Maporisa Business Centre, Maranda, Mwenezi.
In a post on their official X platform this Saturday, the ZRP announced that a fourth suspect, Talent Mlauzi (20), was arrested in Beitbridge on Friday in connection with the robbery.
This means that only one suspect, Elphias Mugurugudze, remains at large.
During the heist, the suspects made off with US$8,621 and ZAR 62,070.
According to a message that circulated on WhatsApp, the five suspected armed robbers boarded the Blue Circle Buses coach at the Mbare bus terminus in Harare and paid their fares for the trip to Beitbridge.
The message further revealed that when the bus reached Lundi, approximately 100 kilometres south of Masvingo, one of the men requested to be dropped off just after the turn-off to Neshuro. 
As the bus approached the designated spot, the suspected robber who had asked to disembark then signalled to his four accomplices, seemingly indicating that they all wanted to get off at that point.
When the bus stopped, the conductor went out first, at which point the suspected robber, brandishing a pistol, ordered the conductor back into the vehicle.
It is alleged that the other four suspects simultaneously drew out knives and commanded the driver to pull the bus off the highway. Reads the WhatsApp message:
<blockquote>
The driver was ordered to turn left at Vilivili and instructed to switch off all lights. All passengers and crew were ordered to surrender cash. They threatened to kill anyone who did not surrender their belongings.
</blockquote>
After robbing the passengers, one of the suspects fired a single shot into the air, presumably to further intimidate the passengers. The armed gang then swiftly disappeared into the surrounding darkness.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The police caught a fourth person in connection with a robbery on a bus. Three suspects were arrested earlier. One suspect is still missing. The robbers stole money from passengers and crew on a bus. They threatened people with weapons. The police are still investigating the case.

Police Arrest Fourth Suspect In Blue Circle Bus Robbery

Villagers from Ward 2 in Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province, allegedly vandalised a security fence that was erected around Neshuro District Hospital in order to create a shorter route to the hospital.
Mwenezi East legislator Master Makope decried the development which happened on 11 December this year.
Speaking to TellZim News, Makope said the damage to the fence exposes patients and hospital staff to some dangers like intrusion. He said:
<blockquote>
The fence was recently erected after a long time of no security at the hospital and we were happy with the development but now some locals are not to be happy about the whole issue and they vandalised the fence in protest since nothing was stolen.
We suspect they are villagers from Matande, Mashindi and Mangezi who have been using a shorter path to the hospital that was blocked by the new fence and they do not want to use the main gate.
When the fence was erected, it was reported that they complained saying their road had been blocked.
Since nothing was stolen we just assumed that it was that small section of the community who want a shorter way to the hospital.
</blockquote>
Makopa said the shorter way passed through the waiting mother’s shelters as well as the maternity wards and this was not good. He said:
<blockquote>
The path passes through the waiting mother’s shelters and at times they were robbed at night while domestic animals have free access to the quarters and are menacing the area.
The path also passes through the maternity wards and people would peep through the windows and see activities done inside so the area needs privacy.
</blockquote>
Makopa said will engage the Chief, the local councillor and other relevant stakeholders to educate the community on the importance of having a secure fence around the hospital. | <a href="https://tellzim.com/villagers-vandalise-neshuro-hospital-fence/">TellZim News</a>

Villagers Vandalise Hospital Fence To Create Shorter Route

Four people have died in Mwenezi within a short space of time after they allegedly inhaled a fumigant pesticide used to preserve grain in Chitanga communal lands.
Flora Siziba (56) of Masisinyani village in the Mateke Hills area died on Friday 25 November 2022 together with her mother Raila Gula (90) at the former’s homestead in a space of a few hours.
Their deaths reportedly came after the pair allegedly started complaining of severe stomach pains before sweating and vomiting.
Siziba’s neighbour, Thomas Ndavani, who visited her homestead after learning of her tragic death also allegedly died a few minutes after his arrival. He exhibited the same symptoms.  
The bodies of Siziba, her mother and Ndavani’s were taken to Neshuro Hospital for a post-mortem on the same day after police had attended the scene.
On November 26, Siziba’s son-in-law Shepherd Mukachana who stayed at her homestead was rushed to Gezani clinic after exhibiting the same symptoms. 
He was treated and discharged together with Siziba’s daughter-in-law, Vimbai Chirelele.
Later on the same day, Mukachana’s condition allegedly deteriorated and he died around 3 pm.
According to police, Chirelele is still in stable condition and recuperating at home.
Police said they suspect the deaths were caused by chemical poisoning linked to inhaling a fumigant pesticide though conclusive investigations are still underway.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Four People Die Of Suspected Chemical Poisoning

The High Court has acquitted two members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) accused of shooting dead two Mwenezi brothers.
The soldiers, Tapiwanashe Basopo (37) and Collen Ncube (29), who are based at HQ1 Brigade in Bulawayo, were acquitted on Tuesday by Justice Garainesu Mawadze at the High Court in Masvingo.
The two soldiers were deployed to Mijingwe Ranch in Mwenezi when the shooting incident happened.
<h2>The allegations</h2>
It was alleged that Basopo, Ncube, and a third soldier, Chrispen Maphosa (30), who is at large were approached by Olman Nyunyana on 26 December 2019.
Nyunyana complained to the soldiers that his brother Ernest had been severely assaulted by three Matarise brothers on Christmas evening.
Basopo, Ncube and Maphosa offered to track and apprehend the accused brothers.
Maphosa and Basopo armed themselves with AK 47 rifles and dressed in army regalia and proceeded to Shayamabvudzi Business Centre where they arrived at around 9 PM.
They confronted Sifelani who ran home and informed his brothers, Ngonidzashe and Hosiah.
The brothers armed themselves with a knife, machetes, an iron bar, and a screwdriver and went and confronted the soldiers.
A misunderstanding arose and the brothers charged toward the soldiers. Sifelani and Hosiah were then shot dead in the melee.
Sifelani and Hosiah were shot in the chest and head respectively and died on the spot.
Ngonidzashe escaped and reported the matter to the police. ZRP officers teamed up with members of the military police and arrested the three soldiers.
Four live rounds, three spent cartridges, magazines, and two AK47 rifles were recovered.
The State, however, said in court that it did not have enough evidence against the two, and Justice Mawadze cleared them of the charges.
Police are looking for Maphosa after a warrant of arrest was issued by the High Court on 17 March 2022.
<h2>The Ruling</h2>
Justice Mawadze did not clear Maphosa of the charges after noting that he had not reported for work for several months. In his ruling, Justice Mawadze said:
<blockquote>
The State has indicated that there is not enough evidence to get a verdict and my judgment is as follows. Maphosa remains on the warrant of arrest issued on March 17, 2022.
Basopo and Ncube are hereby cleared of the murder and any other related charges and are hereby acquitted.
The two AK47 rifles being held as exhibits will remain since the State intends to try Maphosa.
</blockquote>
Justice Mawadze said Basopo and Ncube had attended court hearings consistently and urged them to behave appropriately as members of the uniformed forces.
Emmanuel Mathose prosecuted and Martin Mureri of Matutu Mureri Legal Practitioners appeared for Ncube and Basopo. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/2-soldiers-acquitted-for-shooting-mwenezi-brothers/">The Mirror</a>

Two Soldiers Who Shot And Killed Two Mwenezi Brothers Acquitted

Livestock from communities around Rutenga Growth Point has for the past two decades been drinking from sewage ponds, a problem which has been said to be causing poor meat quality by local farmers.
Cattle, donkeys and goats in Mwenezi East from wards as far as Wards 13 and parts of 14 have been consuming raw sewer from the expanding Rutenga Growth Point’s uncovered sewer ponds.
The ponds which are located about two kilometres away from the growth point are the major source of water for livestock due to the lack of cleaner sources of water.
Before the land reform programme, the livestock used to drink from local small dams which were built by evicted white farmers but water pumps and several farm properties were stolen with some vandalised at the height of the chaotic land resettlement programme.
Ward 18 Councilor, Albert Mashiri whose area covers Rutenga Growth Point acknowledged that raw sewer has been the source of drinking water for livestock in the area. Said Mashiri:
<blockquote>
It’s unhealthy for domestic animals to consume such water but it’s unfortunate that for many years now livestock here has been relying on raw sewer from the growth points’ sewage ponds.
As part of efforts to make sure that locals keep away their livestock from roaming around the growth point and areas near the sewage ponds, the local authority has constructed a cattle pen and livestock which will be found roaming around the growth point will be seized and dealt with according to the local authority’s by-law.
</blockquote>
Local farmers told TellZim News that the lack of alternative safe water sources is forcing locals to let their animals drink the raw sewer.
According to Alois Moyo, a farmer from Ward 13’s Mariot Ranch area, the sewer water has compromised the quality of the meat their livestock produce. He said:
<blockquote>
Many of us are aware that it’s unhealthy for our animals to drink raw sewer but we do not have any other option because we do not have a sustainable dam in our area.
The quality of meat of a domestic animal that consumes raw sewage is not that appealing. The offals are difficult if not impossible for human consumption.
In the event that one cooks the offals, there is a greenish element that remains on the relish even after fully preparing the meat. This makes it difficult to consume.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.tellzim.com/2021/08/water-woes-mwenezi-livestock-relies-on.html">TellZim News</a>

Mwenezi Livestock Relies On Untreated Sewage For Two Decades

Two teenagers from Mwenezi District in Masvingo Province, both aged 17, recently dragged each other to court for maintenance.
The girl who cannot be named because of her age withdrew from Neshuro High School after being impregnated by the boy.
The boy who also cannot be named for the same reason is doing Form 3 at the same school.
However, Resident Magistrate Honesty Musiiwa dismissed the case on the grounds that there was no law that said an underage boy can pay maintenance.
The mother later granted an interview to Two Nations and said that she wanted the boy to pay maintenance so that she can find someone to look after the child while her daughter goes back to school.
She said that they tried to solve the matter with Chief Mawarire but failed.
The girl argued in court that the child should be a responsibility of both as she also needed a chance to go back to school.
Meanwhile, the boy flatly denied siring the child in court.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/17-year-olds-drag-each-other-to-court-for-maintenance/">Masvingo Mirror</a></h4>

Teenagers (17) Drag Each Other To Court For Maintenance

Former MDC MP, Tongai Matutu who recently defected to ZANU PF has lashed out at his former party, saying it is an organisation that lacks direction and enjoys the suffering of people.
Matutu lost the MDC Alliance provincial elections in 2019 before jumping ship and joining the ruling party.
He is now claiming that his former colleagues are toxic people who have no sense of direction.
Matutu was speaking on Saturday at a ZANU PF inter-district meeting held at Rutenga hall in Mwenezi.
The meeting was also attended by the party’s provincial chairman and Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira.
Matutu described ZANU PF as a good party, saying he has a lot to learn from it.
This is not the first time that Matutu has abandoned the MDC. During the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s presidency, Matutu defected to the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) then led by Tendai Biti.
He returned to the MDC in 2018 only to defect in 2021 and surrender his membership to ZANU PF at a press conference attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwengwa.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/matutu-lambasts-mdc-in-mwenezi/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Masvingo Mirror</a></h4>

Tongai Matutu Rants At MDC In Mwenezi

A Mwenezi teacher was arrested last week after he allegedly stabbed and killed a Zanu PF official who was reportedly being loud and disturbing his rest, The Herald reports.
Paulosi Mangoma, the teacher at a local school allegedly stabbed Kennias Dzingirai the Zanu PF ward 13 chairman in Chingwizi, Mwenezi East, in the chest and stomach for disturbing his peace by discussing the just-ended Zanu PF DCC polls.
Police investigations allege that:
<blockquote>Mangoma interrupted the discussion between Cde Dzingirai and his colleagues whom he accused of disturbing his peace and then that a fist-fight broke out between Cde Dzingirai and Mangoma.
This was stopped by others who managed to restrain the two. Mangoma went home, but allegedly returned armed with a kitchen knife, charged at Dzingirai and stabbed him in the chest and stomach.
Dzingirai collapsed and died on the spot and a report was made to police leading to Mangoma’s arrest.</blockquote>
ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said:
<blockquote>The suspect, a teacher at Batanai Primary School in the Chingwizi area, is assisting police with investigations and will appear in court soon charged with murder.</blockquote>
Dzingirai’s body was taken to a mortuary where it awaits postmortem.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/teacher-kills-zanu-pf-official/">The Herald </a>

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