A 30-year-old man from the Chief Nyakunhuwa area in Zaka District, Masvingo Province, has been sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison by the Chiredzi Magistrates’ Court on 4 counts of rape.
According to the details of the case released by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Thursday, June 27, the accused man raped a 13-year-old girl on several occasions and a 42-year-old woman once.
The first incident occurred in April 2021, when the accused man found the 13-year-old girl, a Grade 7 student, fetching firewood in a bush near their homestead.
He knocked down the firewood she was carrying, tripped her to the ground, and raped her at knifepoint. The girl did not tell anyone about this incident.
In June 2021, the accused man found the same 13-year-old girl at home, threatened her with a knife, and raped her.
The girl informed her aunt, who then informed the girl’s grandmother, but the grandmother ordered them not to reveal the matter to anyone.
The accused man went on to rape the girl two more times.
It was not until August 2023, when the girl’s mother came from Harare and the girl confided in her, that a police report was finally made.
In September 2021, the accused man also raped a 42-year-old woman who was on her way back from the borehole.
He grabbed her from behind, threatened her with a knife, and raped her.
The National Prosecuting Authority secured the convictions, and the accused man was sentenced to 15 years on each count, with 30 years suspended. He will effectively serve a 30-year prison sentence.
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30-Year-Old Man Sentenced To 60 Years For Multiple Rapes In Zaka

Villagers around Jerera Growth Point in Zaka District, Masvingo Province, are allegedly selling land to unsuspecting buyers.
The “unscrupulous” villagers have become a menace to Chief Ndanga born Wilson Makono and the Zaka Rural District Council.
Chief Ndanga told <a href="https://tellzim.com/zaka-villagers-turning-into-land-barons/">TellZim News</a> that in the past, the illegal selling of land was limited to village heads but now even villagers have become land barons.
Buyers are enticed by the proximity to Jerera Growth Point. Said Chief Ndanga:
<blockquote>
Village heads used to be major culprits but now villagers themselves have joined in, they are selling portions of their land to land seekers because they are close to Jerera Growth point.
We have been engaging them timely but they don’t listen. Now we are also engaging those who are buying land and telling them that when the time of expansion comes they may see their homes being destroyed.
Some members of the royal families are also selling land belonging to people who are based in towns or out of the country.
I have received a number of cases where brothers to village heads sell land behind village heads’ backs.
They usually target land that has not been tilled for some time and when owners come back they would find structures already in place.
However, we have regular punitive measures for such people and we are dealing with it.
At first, they were selling at around US$400 but because of demand, the prices have risen and recently I saw an advert advertising a piece of land being charged at US$1 000.
</blockquote>
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Zaka Central legislator where the area falls under, Davis Marapira (ZANU PF) confirmed the development. He said:
<blockquote>
It is true that land around Jerera Growth Point and along the road to Zaka Township has been sold without following proper procedures.
Land belongs to the State. It is only the President through the Local Government Ministry who can authorize the selling of land for commercial or domestic use after following proper procedures.
This is done illegally, the land being sold belongs to the community which uses the land for growing crops and keeping their livestock for their livelihood.
The law is clear that those who sold land will be prosecuted whilst, for those who bought the land, ignorance has no defence.
</blockquote>
TellZim News reported that the illegal selling of land is prevalent in villages Musiso, Mateko, Gwanya, Manyimo and Chipezeze among others.
The local authority, ZAKA RDC, is reportedly failing to curb the expansion of these villages into areas earmarked for Jerera expansion.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zaka Villagers Becoming Land Barons

Health authorities in Bikita have banned the serving of food during funerals, weddings and other public gatherings to curb the spread of cholera, <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/bikita-health-authorities-ban-serving-of-food-at-funerals-amid-cholera-scare/">reported ZimLive</a>.
The decree follows a recent outbreak of the disease which has claimed almost 100 lives across the country since February this year.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the measure will be in place until the outbreak has been brought under control. It said:
<blockquote>
In light of the current cholera outbreak in our district, this office writes to enforce the provisions of the Public Health Act CP 15:17 Section 46.
We effect that no gatherings that provide food will be sanctioned until our outbreak subsides.
All deaths be notified to the Ministry of Health and Child Care. All funerals be supervised by health staff and not provide food.
Please be guided accordingly. In the interest of Public Health.
</blockquote>
In Zaka, the Ministry of Health and Childcare issued a statement setting out new rules to be observed as it tries to fight the outbreak. <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/cholera-spreading-fast-in-zimbabwe-with-funeral-restrictions-calls-to-close-schools-20231004">These are</a>:
<ul>
<li>The suspension of controlled gatherings and those sanctioned must be supervised by Ministry of Health personnel.</li>
<li>All households must employ water purification methods such as boiling water and the use of aqua tablets.</li>
<li>All church meetings have been suspended and funerals should be supervised by ministry officials.</li>
<li>Food should not be cooked at funerals and the maximum number of people to attend funerals must be 50.</li>
<li>Open markets have been suspended and selling food at undesignated premises is prohibited. Public beer halls have been shut down.</li>
</ul>
In an update on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said the cholera outbreak had now spread to more than the 17 traditional cholera hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke, and Wedza.
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Health Authorities Ban Food At Funerals In Bikita, Zaka

ZANU PF activists are reportedly forcing teachers and nurses to buy party membership cards in Zaka District, Masvingo Province.
ZANU PF Zaka District women’s league chairperson Confidence Mukau allegedly forced all the nurses at Musiso Mission Hospital and teachers at the mission to buy party cards or face undisclosed consequences, <a href="https://tellzim.com/zanu-pf-forces-teachers-nurses-to-buy-party-cards/">reported TellZim News.</a>
Mukau is allegedly linked to a ZANU PF faction aligned to Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
The Mission is in Ward 19, a well–known opposition territory that has had an opposition councillor since 2008.
TellZim News reported sources at the mission as saying Mukau led a team that was forcing teachers, nurses and other ancillary staff at the mission into party cell registers and to buy cards at a cost of US$3.00. Said a source:
<blockquote>
We are appealing to the press to expose ZANU PF here in Zaka, they are forcing us to buy party cards whereas we are not even part of them.
We are no longer at peace here as we are being forced to belong to the party by buying membership cards.
</blockquote>
Another source claimed that another ZANU PF team went to the mission for cell registration and they forced people to register into the cells. Said the source:
<blockquote>
A few weeks ago they were here at the mission doing cell verification and registration.
All teachers, nurses and student nurses were forced into cells and the list of names was used to get presidential inputs from GMB but only teachers from both the mission schools got the inputs and the nurses failed and they are bitter.
</blockquote>
Mukau stays at the St Anthony’s High School teachers’ quarters by virtue of being a wife to one Mukau a building studies teacher.
She is also closely related to former Catholic Bishop Michael Bhasera – a privilege she reportedly uses to threaten all mission staff.
When contacted for comment, ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said:
<blockquote>
I haven’t received any complaints about people being forced to buy party cards. However, it’s unlikely for us to force people because cards are sold to members only and they come willingly so we cannot force non-members.
At Musiso Mission, we have a number of party members some of who are even in the district executive so those are the ones whom we target when we go there and those who are not part of us should be left out.
I will talk to the district chairperson to about the issue so that it will be addressed.
</blockquote>
Zaka District is infamous for politically motivated violence since 2002. A number of opposition supporters were reportedly killed and some injured during the 2002 and 2008 elections.

ZANU PF Forces Teachers, Nurses To Buy Membership Cards

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced the names of <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/bus-veers-off-the-road-and-runs-over-3-people-on-new-years-eve/">three people who died on the spot when an Inter Africa bus veered off the road</a> and ran over them in Masvingo on New Year’s Eve.
 ZRP Masvingo provincial spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa told ZBC News that the deceased are:
<blockquote>
1). Mary Gomo (43) from Chihanya village of Zaka; 
2). Margaret Chidari (43) and 
3). Chelsea Tanatswa Chidari (4) from Fambai Village, Chief Nhema area in Zaka.
</blockquote>
The Harare-bound Inter Africa bus veered off the road and hit them at the Nyagambu area near Nhema Clinic in Zaka and killed the three pedestrians on the spot. 
The accident is said to have occurred on Saturday morning.
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UPDATE: Police Name Victims Of Masvingo Bus Accident

A Mukuru shop at Jerera Growth Point in Zaka was robbed of US$10 058 and ZAR35 000 cash by three armed robbers on Monday.
Police said the three suspects robbed a 20-year-old motorist they had hired on the pretext that they wanted to travel from Jerera Growth Point to Devure Business Centre.
The suspects, who were armed with two pistols, robbed the motorist of a cellphone, US$13 cash and a Toyota Passo vehicle which they later used as a getaway car after robbing a Mukuru shop.
In a statement, police said the stolen vehicle was recovered. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Masvingo are investigating a case of armed robbery which occurred on 05/12/22 in Zaka.
Three unknown suspects armed with two pistols stole a cellphone, US$13 cash and a Toyota Passo vehicle, registration number AEQ 062 from a motorist (20) they had allegedly hired from Jerera Growth Point, Zaka to Devure Business Centre.
The suspects used the stolen vehicle as a get-away car and pounced at the Mukuru shop at Jererera Growth Point where they stole US$10 058 and ZAR35 000 cash.
The stolen vehicle was recovered. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police station.
</blockquote>

Mukuru Shop Robbed Of US$10 000 And ZAR35 000

Five learners from Dabwa Primary School in Zaka District, Masvingo province were struck by a bolt of lightning on Tuesday afternoon while on their way home from school.
Two of the pupils, a boy and girl (names supplied), and were both in Grade Five died, while the other three learners were injured.
A teacher at the school who refused to be named, confirmed the incident, saying at the time of the lightning strike, it was not raining and the pupils were less than a kilometre from the school. Said the teacher:
<blockquote>
The unfortunate incident happened on Tuesday and at around 1 pm when the pupils were on their way home after they had been dismissed.
The two were among a group of pupils walking home when a bolt of lightning struck them. Three of their mates that they were walking with were injured in the process.
The frightened and injured pupils called for help and were assisted by passersby who ferried them to a nearby clinic. The passersby also tried to help the two victims but to no avail.
It was strange really because on the day when the incident occurred it was not even raining or drizzling.
</blockquote>
The teacher said the injured pupils who were rushed to a nearby hospital where they received treatment had since been discharged.
The teacher added that some traumatised pupils are now unwilling to come to school for fear of another lightning strike.
Lightning strikes are common in Zimbabwe especially at the onset of the rainfall season as the rainfall is of the conventional type triggered by highly unstable atmospheric conditions caused by high daytime temperatures.
In November last year, two learners at Seke 1 High School in Chitungwiza were struck by a bolt of lightning while on their way from the school.
The learners, who were both 15, were ferried to a nearby hospital and were pronounced dead upon admission. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/lightning-kills-two-pupils-in-zaka/">B-Metro</a>

Lightning Bolt Strikes Five Learners In Zaka

A 75-year-old Zaka man died on Sunday after being assaulted by his nephew early Sunday morning following an altercation over alleged witchcraft, as violent deaths continue to increase countrywide.
Hakufiwi Musiiwa was attacked at around 5 am, allegedly by Norman Mutakayi (36) who wanted to force his uncle to consult a prophet. 
He later died after being forced to walk for about 10km. Reads a police statement on the case:
<blockquote>
The suspect who is a nephew to the victim allegedly forced the victim to consult a prophet and when the victim refused, the suspect attacked him by striking his ribs, hands and legs with a wooden log resulting in the victim sustaining serious injuries.
The suspect went on to force march the victim for about 10km. The suspect is at large. Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>
Violent deaths have been on the increase countrywide and recently national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged the public to respect the sanctity of human life.
Recently, police in Harare were investigating circumstances surrounding the death of Terence Dondo of St Mary’s Chitungwiza.
Dondo, who was a bar attendant, was 28 years old. 
His body was recently found lying lifeless on a gravel road near Huruyadzo Shops, Chitungwiza, with some substances on the mouth and nose.
In a related suspected murder case, police were appealing for information surrounding the death of Mberikwazvo Bopoto (43) of Rockview East, Chitungwiza, who was reported missing on Christmas Day and later found dead the following day near a well along Hunyani River, Manyame Park in Chitungwiza.
The victim was bleeding from the nose and had a bruise on the back of the head.
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