By Mashudu Netsianda TRAVELLERS and traders at Dulibadzimu bus terminus in Beitbridge were yesterday treated to a free show when a young woman severely assaulted a suspected thief who had attempted to steal a packet of biscuits from her market stall. The woman believed to be in her mid-30s stunned onlookers, especially when she threw all caution to the wind and turned into a fearless boxer reducing her victim, a man who could be in his late 30s, into a punching bag. The incident witnessed by this reporter occurred at about 9am at an open market centre situated in the heart of Dulibadzimu bus terminus. According to witnesses who saw the incident unfold, the suspect, a towering man, approached the woman at her stall and enquired about the prices of commodities on sale under the guise of intending to purchase. He, however, then later tried to steal a packet of biscuits on display but ran out of lucka as the suspicious woman was quick to notice him. It was a matter of a few seconds before the man was brought down by the young woman, before she eventually turned him into a saddle. She then threw a barrage of punches much to the amusement of other vendors who had abandoned their wares to get a closer look at the drama. Some men broke into song and started whistling.The suspect bled profusely as a result of the assault. An elderly woman managed to break through the cordon of chanting vendors and rescued the man whose mouth was already dripping blood. The suspected thief was subsequently whisked away to safety. |
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Vendor beats up suspected thief
COSATU demo thwarted
By Mashudu Netsianda in Beitbridge
Courtesy of Zimbabwe Chronicle
SOUTH African police yesterday thwarted attempts by some
members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions to
blockade the Beitbridge Musina Border Post.
The intention of the handful COSATU members who started their
march at 11 am was to block the Zimbabwean side of the border
post and thus stop trucks from travelling between the two
countries.
The demonstrators some carrying placards written, "Fact
finding mission is the workers mandate" marched towards the
entrance gate but were blocked by South African police.
When this reporter arrived at the scene at 12 noon, the group was
singing chanting anti-Zimbabwe songs while assembled near a
taxi rank, about 200 metres away from the border post.
Police cordoned off the entire area and continuously kept an
eye on the demonstrators.
However, COSATU leaders such as secretary-general, Mr
Zwelibanzi Vavi did not take part in the march.
The aborted blockade lasted for about three hours and the
protestors eventually dispersed peacefully and marched back
to Musina.
South African police said the labour organisation applied to
the courts to hold the demonstration.
A COSATU delegation, led by its general secretary Mr
Zwelibanzi Vazi, has twice failed to bulldoze its way into
the country to conduct its dubious fact finding mission.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi has warned the
labour body that their plans to block the Zimbabwean border
on the eve of elections was just a "wishful thinking."
He said the Zimbabwean and South African Governments will not
standby and watch people engaging in unlawful activities, to
push their political agendas.
Meanwhile, COSATU said they would hold an all night vigil
rally dubbed the "Zimbabwean Solidarity Rally" at Skoonsplaas
Stadium in Musina.
"We will hold a rally on 12 and 13 March and we are doing
this as a way of showing our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe
that we care for them and we are always thinking of them
especially during this turbulent time where there is no peace
and democracy in Zimbabwe."
"We are also praying for the return of democracy and peace in
Zimbabwe," said the organiser Ms Emily Wellman.
Publisher: http://www.assatashakur.com/03/12/05
Courtesy of Zimbabwe Chronicle
SOUTH African police yesterday thwarted attempts by some
members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions to
blockade the Beitbridge Musina Border Post.
The intention of the handful COSATU members who started their
march at 11 am was to block the Zimbabwean side of the border
post and thus stop trucks from travelling between the two
countries.
The demonstrators some carrying placards written, "Fact
finding mission is the workers mandate" marched towards the
entrance gate but were blocked by South African police.
When this reporter arrived at the scene at 12 noon, the group was
singing chanting anti-Zimbabwe songs while assembled near a
taxi rank, about 200 metres away from the border post.
Police cordoned off the entire area and continuously kept an
eye on the demonstrators.
However, COSATU leaders such as secretary-general, Mr
Zwelibanzi Vavi did not take part in the march.
The aborted blockade lasted for about three hours and the
protestors eventually dispersed peacefully and marched back
to Musina.
South African police said the labour organisation applied to
the courts to hold the demonstration.
A COSATU delegation, led by its general secretary Mr
Zwelibanzi Vazi, has twice failed to bulldoze its way into
the country to conduct its dubious fact finding mission.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi has warned the
labour body that their plans to block the Zimbabwean border
on the eve of elections was just a "wishful thinking."
He said the Zimbabwean and South African Governments will not
standby and watch people engaging in unlawful activities, to
push their political agendas.
Meanwhile, COSATU said they would hold an all night vigil
rally dubbed the "Zimbabwean Solidarity Rally" at Skoonsplaas
Stadium in Musina.
"We will hold a rally on 12 and 13 March and we are doing
this as a way of showing our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe
that we care for them and we are always thinking of them
especially during this turbulent time where there is no peace
and democracy in Zimbabwe."
"We are also praying for the return of democracy and peace in
Zimbabwe," said the organiser Ms Emily Wellman.
Publisher: http://www.assatashakur.com/03/12/05
Cross-border cattle rustling worries villagers
By Mashudu Netsianda VILLAGERS in Tshitulipasi area in Beitbridge District and neighbouring Madimbo outside Musina in South Africa have expressed concern over rampant cross-border stocktheft cases occurring between the two countries. The councillor for Ward One, which embraces Tshitulipasi village, Clr Enock Ndou said cattle rustlers were stealing beasts from either side of the border and smuggling them into neighbouring Mozambique through the Sengwe corridor. "We are getting more and more cases of cattle being stolen from Tshitulipasi and Madimbo in South Africa, which are then smuggled into Mozambique and we suspect there is a well-orchestrated syndicate involving some locals, Mozambicans and South Africans," he said. Recently police in Beitbridge recovered 60 head which stockthieves intended to smuggle into Mozambique. Three suspects were arrested in the process. They were two locals and a Mozambican. Clr Ndou said last week they had a meeting with their South African counterparts over the issue. The meeting was also attended by Chief Matibe and Chief Sengwe from neighbouring Chiredzi district. "We had a meeting with villagers and all the relevant stakeholders in which our South African counterparts offered to put security personnel at some illegal crossing points through which the suspects drive the stolen cattle," said Clr Ndou. Chief Nne Madimbo of Madimbo also expressed concern over the increase in stocktheft cases along the border. He attributed the problem to the vandalism of the border fence. "We are losing our cattle to organised syndicates involving suspects from both South Africa and Zimbabwe and this is largely because of the boundary fence which has been vandalised by border jumpers, resulting in cattle straying into either side of the border. The rustlers are now taking advantage of that," he said. He said some of the stolen cattle were recently recovered by members of the South African army. This was after the suspects were intercepted by the soldiers at Madimbo military training base. Madimbo and Tshitulipasi villages are situated along the Limpopo River. |
Beitbridge Border Post gears up for festive season
By Mashudu Netsianda THE Principal Director of Immigration Mr Clemence Masango on Monday said his department has already put in place mechanisms aimed at dealing with congestion at the Beitbridge Border Post during the festive season. He, however, expressed concern over the staff shortage to man the border. “We are aware that during this time of the year we get an increased volume of travellers including other nationals such as Zambians and Malawians using Beitbridge Border Post, resulting in pressure on our personnel and infrastructure,” said Mr Masango during a tour of the border post by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Gorden Moyo. “We therefore need more officers as queues are unpredictable and as immigration we are doing our best to ensure smooth movement of travellers.” Mr Masango said the number of travellers entering the country was beginning to rise with 36 000 arrivals having been recorded between Friday and Sunday, while 22 000 were attended to on the departure side at the weekend. He also expressed concern over the vandalism of the perimeter fence, a development that resulted in uncontrolled entry into the border area. “You will note that because of the vandalised fence we are getting touts and bogus clearing agents finding their way to the customs yard where they are conning travellers,” said Mr Masango. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) regional manager, Ms Angela Mashiri, said as a decongestion strategy, they started relocating impounded vehicles from the customs yard to an area outside the border to create parking space for travellers during the festive season. She said they received an average of 150 imported cars mostly from Japan everyday, with the majority of owners failing to pay customs duty on time resulting in the vehicles being impounded and end up congesting the border area. Mrs Mashiri also expressed concern over the shortage of staff saying they were expecting 15 more from other stations to beef up personnel at Beitbridge Border Post. Zimra has a staff complement of 121 officers, which have been divided into five shifts. Minister Moyo was touring Beitbridge border post to assess the preparedness by border officials in anticipation of an increase in the number of travellers ahead of the festive season. He said the Government was concerned about congestion at Beitbridge Border Post during the festive season, adding that there was a need to come up with strategies aimed at easing congestion. “The Government is concerned about practical realities at Beitbridge Border Post characterised by congestion, poor infrastructure and inadequate staff and therefore we are keen to seeing a change and have a different picture during the festive season. In fact, we are saying there is need to come up with effective and workable strategies to ensure a smooth movement of travellers which essentially is why I am here to meet stakeholders so that we jointly explore ways to facilitate the quick clearance of traffic and people,” he said. The minister said there was need to come up with a long-term plan to address the challenges bedevilling Beitbridge Border Post. He added that they were also exploring avenues such as the reopening of the Old Limpopo Bridge to southward bound traffic to ease congestion during the festive season. “We are beginning to think strategically about how we can make Zimbabwe benefit from next year’s World Cup in South Africa since our country is strategically located. We therefore need to come up with a long term strategy to address the many challenges at Beitbridge Border Post and we are also looking at cross cutting issues that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” he said. Minister Moyo highlighted the issue of infrastructure, sanitation and staff shortage to help speed up clearance of travellers, as major challenges. “We are saying the processing of traffic especially commercial trucks carrying cargo and buses should be speeded up to avoid unnecessary delays and congestion. We are looking at facilities in order to know how well they are able to handle the huge influx of travellers during the festive season,” he said. “In fact this visit is aimed at capturing the essence of the real situation on the ground in line with the recommendations of the Council of Ministers.” Publisher: www.chronicle.co.zw/16/12/09 |
VaPfumbi culture shrouded in secrecy
By Mashudu Netsianda
TRADITIONALLY culture describes the many ways in which human beings express themselves for the purposes of uniting with others, forming a group, defining an identity, and even for distinguishing themselves as unique.
However, despite the world moving closer together through increased migration, globalization and technological advancement, some people continue to have a great concern for the preservation of their culture fearing that their cultural values and traditions might be at risk of getting lost among the mix of new and different ideas, particularly in the wake of the global villagisation trend.
However, despite the world moving closer together through increased migration, globalization and technological advancement, some people continue to have a great concern for the preservation of their culture fearing that their cultural values and traditions might be at risk of getting lost among the mix of new and different ideas, particularly in the wake of the global villagisation trend.
Such a group that continues to defy the trend and continues to express its culture by often creating mysterious activities, practices and symbols that apparently distinguish themselves from others is the Chief Matibe clan of the VaPfumbi tribe in Beitbridge District.
Chronicle recently traveled to the area and unravels the mystery behind this group whose rituals are largely shrouded in secrecy.
Lying on a rugged terrain at the foot of the magnificent Malungudzi Mountains about 70km east of Beitbridge town, is the Chief Matibe homestead, the royal home of the VaPfumbi clan. Traditionally, the homestead is regarded as a sacred place among the VaPfumbi whose custom and rituals are a closed guarded affair shrouded in utmost secrecy.
Lying on a rugged terrain at the foot of the magnificent Malungudzi Mountains about 70km east of Beitbridge town, is the Chief Matibe homestead, the royal home of the VaPfumbi clan. Traditionally, the homestead is regarded as a sacred place among the VaPfumbi whose custom and rituals are a closed guarded affair shrouded in utmost secrecy.
Despite our 70km journey having been largely characterised by uncertainty following reports that VaPfumbi were a secretive lot, particularly when it comes to sharing their culture with other tribes, Lo and behold! It was a different story as the royal family was very cooperation right from the onset.
On arrival at the chief’s homestead, we were instructed to stop outside the courtyard while our escort, Mr Joseph Lungano, conveyed the message of our presence to other members of the royal family including the objective of our visit.
About 15 minutes later, an age-worn woman, smallish in stature with wrinkly dark skin comes to the gate and she crouches in a manner that defines the traditional VaPfumbi way of greeting. She grins and showing a few stumps of teeth before subsequently beckoning us to enter the homestead yard.
Mr Lungani later introduces the old woman to us as Mrs Mariah Matibe, the late Chief Chichewo Matibe’s widow before quickly taking us through the brief history of the clan and the rituals, which they normally conduct when a chief dies.
Chief Matibe died on 10 May and as part of the VaPfumbi culture, the body was conveyed to a sealed rondavel known as pfamo where it is kept for a period of one year before his successor is chosen.
At the rondavel, the body is placed on a wooden raised bed, which is supported by stilts and a round deep basin is then put underneath.
“When the chief dies the body is taken to a rondavel and we place it on a raised wooden bed after which we then completely seal the hut with mud and cow dung. We then create an opening on the tip of roof top, which we call chiludza through which we pour water onto the body and the remains will be collected into the bowl underneath,” said Mr Lungano.
Traditionally strangers are not allowed to be anywhere near the pfamo, but however, we had the privilege to go near the rondavel.
Mr Lungano, who is part of the royal family, but stays at a neighbouring Tshabili village, said they take turns to visit the pfamo to water the remains of the chief. The ritual is conducted every week and it is the aunts who somehow have the powers to determine the days as well as delegating duties to family members.
The ritual is followed until a one year period of mourning elapses after which the chief’s children would then be paraded around the pfamo. One by one they are instructed to touch a specified section of the mud wall of the hut and whoever touches the wall and pushes it to the ground automatically assumes the chieftainship.
“What is however, peculiar about the VaPfumbi clan is that a chief is spiritually anointed by our ancestral spirits unlike in other groups where the chief’s eldest son automatically takes over following the death of his father,” Mr Lungano said.
What is also unique about the Matibe clan is that they pass on the chieftainship through the swallowing of a stone called Ngwedi. The stone is found in the remains of the chief collected in the bowl.
A local historian, Mr Samuel Mulaudzi said the stone was discovered by the clan’s first chief in a crocodile stomach after he had killed the reptile.
“The first chief of the Matibe clan discovered the Ngwedi in a crocodile stomach, which he had killed and then swallowed it and ever since that time they have been passing on the stone from one chief to another throughout generations,” he said.
Once a successor is chosen he or she washes his or her body using the water from the bowl as some form of protection from the evil as well as being a way of acquiring wisdom to rule.
There is also strange drum, which symbolizes the Matibe clan’s ancestral spirits. The magic drum, whose name is Nangwenani, a term derived from their totem, is believed to have outlived at least four generations. The drum is well-respected as it defines the clan’s identity.
Mrs Matibe takes us to the place where it is kept and just a few metres away from the drum we were ordered to remove our shoes as a way of showing respect.
She crouches around the “mysterious drum” and starts uttering praises to the drum as we knelt on the sun kissed ground sitting on our heels with the knees drawn up. My heart flutters and beat like a bird trying to escape from its cage as globules of sweat continuously beaded my brows as I was witnessing such an unusual and rather unique ritual for the first in my life.
She gently touches the membrane of the drum, picks up a stick and beat it. The rhythm vibrated every muscle in her lithe body as she smiled broadly.
“The drum has outlived four generations and throughout these years it has remained loyal to our family. In fact, it continues to render inestimable support to the family, particularly during difficult times like now when we are still mourning my husband,” Mrs Matibe said.
“We play the drum during special occasions such as the rain making ceremony or when we are mourning the death of a chief. We also play it when it is raining. In fact, it is the vein of the family without which we wouldn’t be what we are today,”
The drum is however, strictly played by members of the Matibe family who are past the child bearing age and they are supposed to be clad in the traditional attire.
“Not everyone plays the drum; it’s only those who are no longer bearing children.”
According to the Pfumbi culture, whenever a chief dies the children including some close family members are supposed to meet every evening at the homestead during which they play music and dance the night away as some form of consoling the chief’s widow.
“This is a daily routine that has to be done until the chief is buried on 10 May next year,” Mrs Matibe said.
The children then leave the homestead the following morning.
The family also meets every September to choose family members who are supposed to travel to the Njelele shrine in Matopo for the annual rainmaking ceremony.
A local historian and renowned author of history books, Mr Phathisa Nyathi traces the VaPfumbi history dating more than 1000 years ago when they first arrived in Zimbabwe from Central Africa.
“My understanding is that the VaPfumbi belong to an older group, which arrived in Zimbabwe much earlier than the Shona and the Venda. They were however, pushed to the peripheral eastern parts of the country in dry land by the incoming stronger Shona group, which is why you find them in the eastern parts of the country,” he said.
The Pfumbi language is a dialect of Shona and Venda, a development, which is largely attributed to their links and common history with the two tribes.
“You will realise that Shona and Venda are related and they have same origins and also share common traditions and they have common cultural heritage such as stone architecture.
“However, I don’t mean all Venda groups since they are a heterogeneous tribe and that is why there is an element of Venda and Shona within the VaPfumbi as they were neighbours with the two tribes and that is why you also find the VaPfumbi under Chief Maranda area of Mwenezi in Masvingo,” he said.
Mr Nyathi said the Matibe clan settled in the Malungudzi hills in eastern Beitbridge District from which came the rain-making Mbedzi clan.
“The Matibe clan is of the Chidzivahungwe (Ngwenya or Siziba) totem, which is a Shona group and the Mbedzi clan, which is now Venda, from which came the Pfumbi language. They have however, since become part of the Shona society,” he said.
But why is the VaPfumbi culture shrouded in secrecy?
“It’s a way of safeguarding their tradition and I believe every group has a right to bar access to its culture to outsiders and it should be noted that these are the same people who are associated with rain-making,” Mr Nyathi said.
“What distinguishes this group from other clans in Zimbabwe is that you need to swallow a stone, which comes from the stomach of the crocodile, their totem and if you are not eligible you automatically won’t be able to swallow it and precisely that is how they are different from other groups.”
Professor Charles Nthambeleni Netshisaulu, a South African author and lecturer at the University of Venda and Great Zimbabwe University, concurred with Mr Nyathi:
“This group (VaPfumbi) has close links and share traditions and customs with the Venda people wherein chieftainship is passed on through the swallowing of a stone. In South Africa, some Venda groups in Limpopo Province still practice that although the names of the stones vary here and there depending on their totems.”
www.chronicle.co.zw/13/12/10
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Journo detained over police botch-up story
Posted on April 9, 2010 | Category: Politics; Business, Sport
A Chronicle journalist based in Beitbridge was on Thursday morning detained
by police over an article that claimed that eight detectives fled for dear
life after an armed suspect opened fire at them.
Mashudu Netsianda, who is Chronicle Beitbridge office reporter was picked up
by two police officers for questioning over a story titled “Cops flee police
station as injiva opens fire”.
Police said the story was likely to place the country’s security at
risk.Netsianda wrote that on Sunday eight detectives fled for dear life from
Beitbridge Police Station “after an angry injiva they had arrested for
illegal possession of a firearm opened fire”.
Quoting sources, Netsianda said the detectives took the suspect who is now
on the run to the police station. However, the detectives failed to find the
gun but the suspect suddenly withdrew it from a bag and ordered the
detectives to lie down before he fled leaving his car.
One of the detectives, according to the story ” plunged into a pool of water
on a drainage system as he ran for dear life”.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe told
Zicora that Netsianda was not in police custody.
“I am not aware of that. Infact Mashudu phoned me in the morning inquiring
on some story. So if there was anything wrong he would have told me so,”
said Insp Dzirutwe.
Dzirutwe said the journalist should not be arrested for carrying out his
duties ‘unless he/she had incriminated someone”.
However, Netsianda told Zicora that police wanted to charge him with
“placing the country’s security at risk”.
He said he was detained for more than an hour at the Law and Order Section
and a docket was opened for him.
“However, after the police officers consulted their bosses they told me that
they are dropping the charges. But they strongly told me that the language I
used was demeaning the police establishment.”
He was then released but now feels threatened by the police action.
Netsianda’s arrest comes hardly a week after three Harare-based reporters
where also quizzed by police.Last week two female journalists Feluna Nleya
and Jennifer Dube of the privately owned Standard weekly were questioned by
police from the Law and Order Section for exposing an alleged massive land
scandal involving the Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo and
business person Philip Chiyangwa.
The story was based on a 54-page report titled: Special Investigations
Committees report on City of Harare’s Land Sales, Leases and Exchanges from
the period October 2004 to December 2009. Earlier in the week, police had
summoned freelance journalist Stanley Gama over a related story published by
The Sunday Times of South Africa.
The harassment of the journalists comes hard on the heels of statements by
the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity Webster Shamu that
harassment of journalists should stop.
http://www.zicora.com
Moo sound in a catte rustler's belly
By Mashudu Netsianda
IN a bizarre incident that has left the community of Gwanda district shell-shocked, a 41-year-old man suspected of stealing 11 head of cattle has been admitted to Gwanda Provincial Hospital, suffering from a mysterious disease.Reporters yesterday visited the suspect, Mlaki Ncube of Ngoma Village under Chief Marupi area, at the hospital where he is admitted and found him writhing in pain. His stomach has swelled.
According to police and members of the public, a bellowing sound was heard coming from the man’s stomach. “We actually heard a bellowing sound like that of a cow mooing while he was admitted to Manama Hospital, which is why hospital authorities decided to transfer him to Gwanda,” said a witness. Villagers tipped off the police that Ncube, whom they suspected to be a cattle rustler, was admitted to Manama Hospital, resulting in his arrest on Saturday. All along he had been feeling the pain.
Narrating his ordeal from his hospital bed, Ncube admitted that he stole the cattle and he believes the owners bewitched him.
He said he is also suffering from abdominal pains, adding that for the past four days he has been failing to relieve himself.
“I can’t go to the toilet to relieve myself and my stomach is continuously rumbling. I am in terrible pain and I believe these are acts of witchcraft for the offences that I committed,” said Ncube.
He said he has been pleading with the police so that they could release him from hospital to “seek herbal treatment” at his rural home.
“The police should at least give me five days so that I can go to my home and get an inyanga because doctors have failed to detect anything yet I am in continuous pain,” said Ncube. “This is getting worse and I am really in terrible pain.”
However, efforts to contact the doctors were fruitless as they were reportedly out on official business.
A nurse who spoke to reporter equally expressed shock, saying she was witnessing such an incident for the first time.
The suspect was arrested together with a local senior village head, Madubeko Dube (63) and his son Tsokolo Dube (43) during an anti-stocktheft operation code-named Operation Inkomo Wazithathangaphi.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said they managed to recover 29 head of cattle worth US$6 000 during the exercise, which was launched on Wednesday last week.
He said the policemen who arrested Ncube said they heard a beast bellowing in his stomach.
“We recovered 29 cattle during the operation, which we launched last week after having realised that villagers in Shangaugwe, Ngoma, Selonga, John Dip and Guyu had expressed an outcry over rampant cattle rustling activities in their areas,” said Insp Dzirutwe.
“As police we continue to urge villagers to report stocktheft cases as soon as possible and we will continue to conduct such operations until sanity prevails.”
Publisher: www.zimdiaspora.com/15/03/10
Priest refuses to bless dreadlocked man's wedding
By Mashudu Netsianda
A BEITBRIDGE priest stunned a couple on their wedding day when he refused to solemnise their marriage because the bridegroom had dread locks.
The priest ordered the groom to remove his dreadlocks, telling the couple: “Rastafarianism and Christianity are totally different."
Although dreadlocks used to be associated with rastas they are now fashionable hairstyle that is being spotted by artists, soccer players, woman even children.
Sources said the groom had initially agreed, but changed his mind and decided to keep his “African” hair style for his wedding last Monday.
On the wedding day, the man came with his dreadlocks a move that reportedly incensed the pastor who apparently stormed out of the church in a feat of rage, leaving the invited guests shocked as many of them did not see anything ungodly about the hair style.
“We were all shocked when the pastor stormed out of the church when it was time for him to officiate and some church elders had to follow him to his office,” said a relative of the bride.
“His action prompted the church elders to convene an emergency meeting with the couple, but the groom stood his ground despite pleas from his relatives and friends to remove the locks.”
As pleas from the relatives continued, the bride and her mother broke down and wept, when all hope of a successful marriage ceremony looked in tatters.
Some relatives of the bride then approach the local magistrate, who agreed to solemnise the wedding at the church premises after getting approval from the church leaders. The ceremony which should have started at 9 only took place at 12 pm.
“The ceremony ended up starting in the afternoon after a local magistrate had been called to officiate and again they had to thoroughly plead with the church elders for the magistrate to officiate at the church”, said Mr Mike Muleya, who also attended the wedding.
Chronicle
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A BEITBRIDGE priest stunned a couple on their wedding day when he refused to solemnise their marriage because the bridegroom had dread locks.
The priest ordered the groom to remove his dreadlocks, telling the couple: “Rastafarianism and Christianity are totally different."
Although dreadlocks used to be associated with rastas they are now fashionable hairstyle that is being spotted by artists, soccer players, woman even children.
Sources said the groom had initially agreed, but changed his mind and decided to keep his “African” hair style for his wedding last Monday.
On the wedding day, the man came with his dreadlocks a move that reportedly incensed the pastor who apparently stormed out of the church in a feat of rage, leaving the invited guests shocked as many of them did not see anything ungodly about the hair style.
“We were all shocked when the pastor stormed out of the church when it was time for him to officiate and some church elders had to follow him to his office,” said a relative of the bride.
“His action prompted the church elders to convene an emergency meeting with the couple, but the groom stood his ground despite pleas from his relatives and friends to remove the locks.”
As pleas from the relatives continued, the bride and her mother broke down and wept, when all hope of a successful marriage ceremony looked in tatters.
Some relatives of the bride then approach the local magistrate, who agreed to solemnise the wedding at the church premises after getting approval from the church leaders. The ceremony which should have started at 9 only took place at 12 pm.
“The ceremony ended up starting in the afternoon after a local magistrate had been called to officiate and again they had to thoroughly plead with the church elders for the magistrate to officiate at the church”, said Mr Mike Muleya, who also attended the wedding.
Chronicle
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Stocktheft syndicate descends on Shanyaugwe
By Mashudu Netsianda
IT’S a hot Tuesday afternoon and the yellow blazing hangs palely in the blue sky. Curious Dube (28), drenched in sweat, is lying under a huge Morula tree in their family field at Shanyaugwe village under Gwanda District. A cool breeze blows through the wilted drought stricken crops in the field.
From a distance one would be forgiven for thinking that Dube is safeguarding the crops from being destroyed by goats and cattle.
In fact, Dube is one of the 41 victims who were recently attacked by the community of Shangaugwe during last week’s clashes between members of the neighbourhood watch committee (NWC) and the local community. The attacks on NWC members, which occurred last Monday, were in retaliation by angry villagers over the arrest of their colleagues who have been implicated in stocktheft cases.
However, Dube was assaulted by the villagers for allegedly selling out information to the NWC members from neighbouring Siboza village, who were on an anti-stocktheft exercise.
The NWC members had received information that there were some stolen goats hidden at several local homesteads in Shanyaugwe and they arrested four suspects recovering several goats.
Dube is now living in fear and he spends his day hiding in the fields after his assailants had promised to return for more attacks.
When Chronicle visited then victim, he was lying in the field writhing in pain following the attack.
Narrating his ordeal, Dube said the villagers who were armed with knobkerries and spears descended on his home at dusk.
“They were a group of about 30 men who were wielding spears and knobkerries. They just stormed our home at started accusing me of being a sell out before dragging me to a nearby bushy area where they assaulted me all over the body using logs and knobkerries,” he said.
He sustained severe injuries in the head and his back had bruises while his mouth was also swollen.
“Right I can’t even walk properly and my mouth is swollen I am in pain and they (suspects) promised to come back and I am now living in fear such that I now spend the whole day hiding in the field. I only go home at night to sleep and then wake up in the early morning hours,” Dube said.
Ms Agnes Ndlovu, Dube’s mother said: “These villagers are dangerous and they are capable of doing anything and my fear is that if information gets into their ears that you people (Chronicle reporter and police officers) were at my home they would kill us.”
Ms Ndlovu said she lost all her nine cattle to stocktheft syndicates.
“I am no longer interested in keep livestock because I had nine cattle and they stole all of them including my goats and it’s now difficult for me to start thinking of cattle rearing because I believe it’s a sheer waste of time. In fact, I am now contemplating relocating to another area. I am sick and tired of this kind of life,” said Ms Ndlovu.
Another villager, Elphaus Dube, who is also a local NWC member echoed Ms Ndlovu’s sentiments, saying he lost a herd of 19 cattle.
“I am sick and tired of this kind of life in Shangaugwe. I have been losing my cattle since 2007 and as I speak I am only left with four beasts after losing 19 of them to cattle rustlers.
“At one time they came to my home and beat me up before setting one of my huts ablaze apparently fixing me for being a member of the NWC,” he said.
The local village head, Mr Stephan Dube expressed concern over rampant stocktheft cases in the area.
“Villagers in Shanyaugwe continue to lose their livestock, especially cattle to organized syndicates and we are therefore appealing to ZRP to set up police base in this village.
“I believe if police establish a base here at least that would help in reducing stocktheft cases, which continue to increase everyday,” he said.
Presently villagers in Shanyaugwe are forced to travel long distances to either Zezani or Silonga to report crime.
Chronicle under the escort of three armed police officers also visited the “battlefield” and found some of the weapons used by the suspects during the attacks. Cooking utensils, which were used by the NWC members while camping at the site could also be seen scattered all over the entire area. Visible drag marks on the banks of the dry riverbed also bore testimony that skirmishes took place.
Some of the scotch-carts used by NWC members were abandoned at a nearby homestead.
The officer commanding police in Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero said the villagers led by Reason Nkomo, an alleged notorious cattle rustler in the area, were incensed by the arrest of their colleagues resulting in them mobilising each other before they launched a hunt for the anti-stocktheft team. The suspects who were armed with spears and knobkerries found the NWC members camped in the bush and they descended on them.
One of the NWC members, Moses Siziba (65), sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Zezani Clinic before he was later transferred to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died on Sunday.
The other victim, whose name was not given, was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital after sustaining a fractured hand.
One of the NWC members, Moses Siziba (65), sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Zezani Clinic before he was later transferred to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died on Sunday.
The other victim, whose name was not given, was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital after sustaining a fractured hand.
Chief Supt Mukombero said no arrests have been made and a manhunt for the suspects has since been launched.
“We will soon be deploying a large number of our officers to the area and the entire village is now deserted as the culprits have fled. We have launched a hunt for the suspects and as police we are also appealing to members of the public to assist us with information that might lead to their arrest,” he said.
Shanyaugwe is a known area for stocktheft activities in Matabeleland South Province. The stolen cattle are reportedly driven to a Dodieburn farm before they are then ferried to Bulawayo where there is a ready market.
“We will soon be deploying a large number of our officers to the area and the entire village is now deserted as the culprits have fled. We have launched a hunt for the suspects and as police we are also appealing to members of the public to assist us with information that might lead to their arrest,” he said.
Shanyaugwe is a known area for stocktheft activities in Matabeleland South Province. The stolen cattle are reportedly driven to a Dodieburn farm before they are then ferried to Bulawayo where there is a ready market.
Recently, police in the province recovered 29 cattle worth US$6 000 during an anti-stocktheft exercise code-named Operation Inkomo Wazithathangaphi.
The stolen cattle were recovered in Shanyaugwe, Ngoma, Selonga, John Dip and Guyu where villagers had expressed an outcry over rampant cattle rustling activities in their areas.
The stolen cattle were recovered in Shanyaugwe, Ngoma, Selonga, John Dip and Guyu where villagers had expressed an outcry over rampant cattle rustling activities in their areas.
Publisher: www.chronicle.co.zw/27/03/10
Clashes between villagers, neighbourhood committee leave one dead
By Mashudu Netsianda
A FIERCE battle has erupted between Members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) and villagers in Gwanda’s Shanyaugwe area, resulting in the death of one person while another is fighting for life in hospital.
The person who was killed is a member of the NWC.
The attacks on NWC members, which occurred last Monday, were in retaliation by angry villagers over the arrest of their colleagues who have been implicated in stocktheft cases.
The matter was only reported to the police at the weekend.
Part of Shanyaugwe area falls under Beitbridge District policing area.
The officer commanding police in Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero, yesterday said a group of 70 villagers, including women armed with spears and knobkerries, attacked 41 NWC members who had smashed a stocktheft ring in the area, resulting in the death of one of the NWC members.
Another NWC member is now battling for life at Gwanda Provincial Hospital after sustaining severe head injuries during the attack.
“On the fateful day, 41 Neighbourhood Watch Committee members went to Shanyaugwe Police Station seeking assistance from the police after having received information that there were some stolen goats hidden at several local homesteads.
“They were then given two police officers to escort them to the scene, leading to the recovery of several stolen goats and arrest of four suspects,” he said.
The suspects, John Dube, Lawrence Ndlovu, Kudzai Ndlovu and Dovhani Ndou, were arrested during the anti-stock theft operation.
Chief Supt Mukombero said the villagers led by Reason Nkomo, an alleged notorious cattle rustler in the area, were incensed by the arrest of their colleagues resulting in them mobilising each other before they launched a hunt for the anti-stocktheft team.
The suspects who were armed with spears and knobkerries found the NWC members camped in the bush and they descended on them.
“The villagers found the NWC members cooking a meal at their camp and they then attacked them,” he said.
The NWC members fled in different directions with villagers in hot pursuit.
Moses Siziba (65), an NWC member, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Zezani Clinic before he was later transferred to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died on Sunday.
The other victim, whose name was not given, was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
Chief Supt Mukombero said no arrests have been made and a manhunt for the suspects has since been launched.
“We have deployed our officers to the area and the entire village is now deserted as the culprits have fled. We have launched a hunt for the suspects and as police we are also appealing to members of the public to assist us with information that might lead to their arrest,” he said.
Shanyaugwe is a known area for stocktheft activities in Matabeleland South Province.
Recently, police in the province recovered 29 cattle worth US$6 000 during an anti-stocktheft exercise code-named Operation Inkomo Wazithathangaphi.
The stolen cattle were recovered in Shanyaugwe, Ngoma, Selonga, John Dip and Guyu where villagers had expressed an outcry over rampant cattle rustling activities in their areas
By Mashudu Netsianda
A FIERCE battle has erupted between Members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) and villagers in Gwanda’s Shanyaugwe area, resulting in the death of one person while another is fighting for life in hospital.
The person who was killed is a member of the NWC.
The attacks on NWC members, which occurred last Monday, were in retaliation by angry villagers over the arrest of their colleagues who have been implicated in stocktheft cases.
The matter was only reported to the police at the weekend.
Part of Shanyaugwe area falls under Beitbridge District policing area.
The officer commanding police in Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero, yesterday said a group of 70 villagers, including women armed with spears and knobkerries, attacked 41 NWC members who had smashed a stocktheft ring in the area, resulting in the death of one of the NWC members.
Another NWC member is now battling for life at Gwanda Provincial Hospital after sustaining severe head injuries during the attack.
“On the fateful day, 41 Neighbourhood Watch Committee members went to Shanyaugwe Police Station seeking assistance from the police after having received information that there were some stolen goats hidden at several local homesteads.
“They were then given two police officers to escort them to the scene, leading to the recovery of several stolen goats and arrest of four suspects,” he said.
The suspects, John Dube, Lawrence Ndlovu, Kudzai Ndlovu and Dovhani Ndou, were arrested during the anti-stock theft operation.
Chief Supt Mukombero said the villagers led by Reason Nkomo, an alleged notorious cattle rustler in the area, were incensed by the arrest of their colleagues resulting in them mobilising each other before they launched a hunt for the anti-stocktheft team.
The suspects who were armed with spears and knobkerries found the NWC members camped in the bush and they descended on them.
“The villagers found the NWC members cooking a meal at their camp and they then attacked them,” he said.
The NWC members fled in different directions with villagers in hot pursuit.
Moses Siziba (65), an NWC member, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Zezani Clinic before he was later transferred to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died on Sunday.
The other victim, whose name was not given, was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
Chief Supt Mukombero said no arrests have been made and a manhunt for the suspects has since been launched.
“We have deployed our officers to the area and the entire village is now deserted as the culprits have fled. We have launched a hunt for the suspects and as police we are also appealing to members of the public to assist us with information that might lead to their arrest,” he said.
Shanyaugwe is a known area for stocktheft activities in Matabeleland South Province.
Recently, police in the province recovered 29 cattle worth US$6 000 during an anti-stocktheft exercise code-named Operation Inkomo Wazithathangaphi.
The stolen cattle were recovered in Shanyaugwe, Ngoma, Selonga, John Dip and Guyu where villagers had expressed an outcry over rampant cattle rustling activities in their areas
Man axed to death
Article By: Mashudu Netsianda
Date: 29 August 2008
Date: 29 August 2008
 |
What started off as a romantic outing ended in tragedy, when a 40-year-old Zimbabwean businessman in Beit Bridge, Mr Dambanyika Mbedzi, was brutally axed to death by a group of five suspects, while his girlfriend watched helplessly.
The incident has left the local community shell-shocked. The officer commanding police in Beit Bridge district, Chief Supt Nicholas Mawere, said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 06:00 in a bushy area outside Beit Bridge town. “The victim, who was in the company of a female, had parked his car in a bushy area when two men armed with axes, iron bars and knives descended on them. One of the suspects struck the window of the car, using a huge stone to gain access to the vehicle,” he said.
Soon after smashing the windowpane, the suspects dragged Mbedzi out of his car and demanded money. However, Mbedzi tried to wrestle with one of the suspect in a bid to disarm him, but the other suspect joined in the fight and overpowered the businessman.
“The suspects then struck him several times in the chest and leg with an axe, so that he could not escape, while the woman he was with took to her heels,” Mawere said.
The suspects got away with four cell phones. The woman went and alerted some villagers and they rushed to the scene, where they found the victim lying in a pool of blood next to his bloodstained car, a Nissan March. “The villagers tried to give chase to the suspects, but they were outpaced. The suspects disappeared into the bush and in the process dropped two cell phone lines and went away with four cellphones,” he said. No arrests have been made yet, and police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects./21/08/08
Publisher: www/zoutnet.co.za
7000 Zim border jumpers nabbed at Beitbridge border post
From Mashudu Netsianda in Beitbridge
POLICE in Beitbridge have between 15 December and Monday arrested more than 7 000 suspected border jumpers and scores of others linked to other crimes, raking in more than US$80 000 in fines.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said yesterday the arrests were made during an on-going festive period anti-crime operation. The operation, launched two weeks ago, mainly targets touts operating at the border, highway armed robbers, reckless drivers, prostitutes and public beer drinkers. Although the South African government has made it clear that it would deport Zimbabweans after tomorrow’s deadline for locals living in the neighbouring country illegally to register for legal documents to regularise their stay, many people still flock there. “As police we are out in full force to deal with criminal elements during the festive season and so far we have arrested a total of 8 005 suspects, a majority of which are illegal immigrants who were 7 139 in number. “In fact, we have mobilised enough resources and manpower to deal with criminals during the festive season,” he said. Despite the dangers of being attacked by armed robbers, scores of border jumpers continue to use undesignated entry points in bushy areas along the crocodile-infested Limpopo River, to cross into South Africa. On Christmas Day, a Kadoma woman who intended to illegally cross into South Africa through an undesignated entry point was robbed of R300 before she was gang-raped by four unknown men. The suspects had approached the woman on the pretext that they wanted to assist her illegally cross the border. Police also impounded five vehicles for various traffic offences and 223 motorists who included those driving unregistered vehicles without road permits, driving without licences and those whose cars were unroadworthy. Insp Dzirutwe said they also deployed police officers along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo and Beitbridge-Masvingo roads following an increase in the number of highway armed robberies. “As police we would like to urge members of the public to continue assisting us with information that could lead to more arrests of those involved in criminal activities during the festive season,” he said.
Publisher: Chronicle: www.chronicle.co.zw/30/12/10
POLICE in Beitbridge have between 15 December and Monday arrested more than 7 000 suspected border jumpers and scores of others linked to other crimes, raking in more than US$80 000 in fines.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said yesterday the arrests were made during an on-going festive period anti-crime operation. The operation, launched two weeks ago, mainly targets touts operating at the border, highway armed robbers, reckless drivers, prostitutes and public beer drinkers. Although the South African government has made it clear that it would deport Zimbabweans after tomorrow’s deadline for locals living in the neighbouring country illegally to register for legal documents to regularise their stay, many people still flock there. “As police we are out in full force to deal with criminal elements during the festive season and so far we have arrested a total of 8 005 suspects, a majority of which are illegal immigrants who were 7 139 in number. “In fact, we have mobilised enough resources and manpower to deal with criminals during the festive season,” he said. Despite the dangers of being attacked by armed robbers, scores of border jumpers continue to use undesignated entry points in bushy areas along the crocodile-infested Limpopo River, to cross into South Africa. On Christmas Day, a Kadoma woman who intended to illegally cross into South Africa through an undesignated entry point was robbed of R300 before she was gang-raped by four unknown men. The suspects had approached the woman on the pretext that they wanted to assist her illegally cross the border. Police also impounded five vehicles for various traffic offences and 223 motorists who included those driving unregistered vehicles without road permits, driving without licences and those whose cars were unroadworthy. Insp Dzirutwe said they also deployed police officers along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo and Beitbridge-Masvingo roads following an increase in the number of highway armed robberies. “As police we would like to urge members of the public to continue assisting us with information that could lead to more arrests of those involved in criminal activities during the festive season,” he said.
Publisher: Chronicle: www.chronicle.co.zw/30/12/10
Zimbabweans cashing in on SARS VAT refund
Article By: Mashudu Netsianda
Date: 25 February 2011
Date: 25 February 2011
Scores of Zimbabweans passing through the Beit Bridge border post are cashing in on the South African Revenue Service´s (SARS) VAT refund facility that allows foreigners to make VAT claims for all purchases made in South Africa.
According to SARS, all foreign passport holders are entitled to a 15% VAT claim contained in their South African purchase receipt. The claims are made at the border upon leaving South Africa and SARS officers are expected to first examine the goods being exported, before putting an approval stamp on the cash slip.
The claimant can then proceed to the VAT office, which is also situated at the border. Here, they are issued with a cheque and an acknowledgement receipt. The cheque is, however, only transferable at the VAT cash office in Musina and other towns around South Africa. The VAT cash office charges a 20% fee.
When the Limpopo Mirror visited the border post last week, it was established that mostly Zimbabweans residing at Beit Bridge were capitalizing on the facility by purchasing receipts from other travellers who would not be interested in going through the tedious process of queuing to claim VAT refunds.
“We buy receipts from travellers who would be too busy to go through the process of queuing for VAT claims and we give them 50%. In fact, I eke out a living through this and even managed to buy a small car, which I use to come to the border every day,” said a VAT dealer, who identified herself as Miss Nomsa Dube.
Nomsa says she rakes in around R2 000 on a busy day, particularly during month-ends when there is an influx of shoppers passing through the border. Another VAT dealer, Mr James Mhlanga, echoed Nomsa’s sentiments.
“I come here every day. The SARS officers now know me and at times my passport is not even stamped because on a good day I bribe Home Affairs officials and police to allow me into South Africa without going through the normal immigration process,” he said.
Mhlanga added that he also operated at the Beit Bridge border post and had lots of clients. “You will realise that most of these SARS officers know us and therefore they let us claim without necessarily checking the purchased goods.”
During the Limpopo Mirror´s visit to the border, scores of Zimbabwean VAT dealers were waiting to buy receipts from shoppers. They target shoppers with large quantities of purchased goods such as electrical goods and consignments of building material, which reportedly fetch higher amounts of VAT claims.
Some travellers, however, still prefer going through the tedious process of queuing rather than selling receipts to VAT dealers.
“I normally prefer to be patient and make my own claim rather than sharing the money with VAT dealers. Each time I go for shopping in Musina, I make my own VAT claims on departure from South Africa,” said Mrs Elizabeth Stewart of Harare, who is a regular cross-border trader.
Officials at the Musina VAT cash office confirmed that long queues of Zimbabweans wanting to cash their cheques have become a common phenomenon in this border town. Zimbabweans street kids have also been seen foraging through dust bins in Musina in an apparent hunt for cash slips for resale to VAT dealers.
Publisher: www.zoutnet.co.za/25/02/11
Border jumpers sexually abused
Border jumpers sexually abused
By Mashudu Netsianda
SCORES of Zimbabwean women illegally crossing the border to South Africa through undesignated entry points have been sexually abused by organised criminals, who operate along the border.
Statistics indicate that 196 rape cases were reported between April last year and March this year.
The statistics are contained in a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) report, presented by the organisation's project co-ordinator for Musina in South Africa, Mr Giuseppe De Mova, during a workshop in Beitbridge yesterday.
He, however, noted that several cases continued to go unreported as victims fear stigmatisation.
“We have between April last year and March this year handled a total of 196 cases of Zimbabwean border jumpers who have been sexually abused while illegally crossing the border to South Africa through bushy areas,” he said.
Mr De Mova said an average of 16 border jumpers were being raped and robbed every month as several Zimbabweans continued to stream into the neighbouring country through undesignated entry points.
“There are about 350 asylum seekers who visit the South African Home Affairs department everyday and some of them come to our Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) clinic for STI treatment and in the process they also narrate their harrowing experiences on their way to South Africa through bushy irregular crossing points,” he said.
“However, our worry is that most of them do not report to the police, which in essence means that the statistics at hand are nothing but a mere tip of an iceberg. For instance between 1 March and 10 April this year, we received 52 reported cases of SGBV survivors involving 51 Zimbabweans and a Mozambican, yet the actual number of victims was 96,” he said.
Mr De Mova said 61 percent of the victims make late reports largely due to lack of adequate information.
He further noted that last month they received 36 cases, but of those only four were reported to the police.
MSF, which is also known as Doctors Without Borders, has established SGBV clinics in the border towns of Musina and Beitbridge in which the non-governmental organisation is mainly targeting in-transit truck drivers, commercial sex workers and sexually abused irregular migrants seeking STI treatment, trauma counselling, tetanus, HIV and Aids tests and anti-retroviral post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
The case detection sites include SMG Musina police detention centre, refugee shelters and surrounding South African farms along the borderline.
The hotspots for criminals, commonly known as omagumaguma, are Tshikwalakwala, Makakavhule, Dite and Musina on the South African side of the border. “These criminals at times force their victims to have sex with their sisters at knifepoint after which they then rape them before robbing them of their money and some of the women will be travelling with babies who by virtue of being vulnerable also fall prey,” said Mr De Mova.
Stakeholders attending the workshop called for concerted efforts in the fight against SGBV cases, saying there was need to embark on an awareness campaign to contain the situation.
The director for the Women and Aids Group (WAG), Ms Mary Sandasi, said there was need for key players to devise mechanisms aimed at addressing some of the loopholes in the fight against the growing trend.
She said children under foster parental care, women-headed households and those physically and mentally handicapped were the most vulnerable.
Publisher: www.chronicle.co.zw/ 15/04/10
By Mashudu Netsianda
SCORES of Zimbabwean women illegally crossing the border to South Africa through undesignated entry points have been sexually abused by organised criminals, who operate along the border.
Statistics indicate that 196 rape cases were reported between April last year and March this year.
The statistics are contained in a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) report, presented by the organisation's project co-ordinator for Musina in South Africa, Mr Giuseppe De Mova, during a workshop in Beitbridge yesterday.
He, however, noted that several cases continued to go unreported as victims fear stigmatisation.
“We have between April last year and March this year handled a total of 196 cases of Zimbabwean border jumpers who have been sexually abused while illegally crossing the border to South Africa through bushy areas,” he said.
Mr De Mova said an average of 16 border jumpers were being raped and robbed every month as several Zimbabweans continued to stream into the neighbouring country through undesignated entry points.
“There are about 350 asylum seekers who visit the South African Home Affairs department everyday and some of them come to our Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) clinic for STI treatment and in the process they also narrate their harrowing experiences on their way to South Africa through bushy irregular crossing points,” he said.
“However, our worry is that most of them do not report to the police, which in essence means that the statistics at hand are nothing but a mere tip of an iceberg. For instance between 1 March and 10 April this year, we received 52 reported cases of SGBV survivors involving 51 Zimbabweans and a Mozambican, yet the actual number of victims was 96,” he said.
Mr De Mova said 61 percent of the victims make late reports largely due to lack of adequate information.
He further noted that last month they received 36 cases, but of those only four were reported to the police.
MSF, which is also known as Doctors Without Borders, has established SGBV clinics in the border towns of Musina and Beitbridge in which the non-governmental organisation is mainly targeting in-transit truck drivers, commercial sex workers and sexually abused irregular migrants seeking STI treatment, trauma counselling, tetanus, HIV and Aids tests and anti-retroviral post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
The case detection sites include SMG Musina police detention centre, refugee shelters and surrounding South African farms along the borderline.
The hotspots for criminals, commonly known as omagumaguma, are Tshikwalakwala, Makakavhule, Dite and Musina on the South African side of the border. “These criminals at times force their victims to have sex with their sisters at knifepoint after which they then rape them before robbing them of their money and some of the women will be travelling with babies who by virtue of being vulnerable also fall prey,” said Mr De Mova.
Stakeholders attending the workshop called for concerted efforts in the fight against SGBV cases, saying there was need to embark on an awareness campaign to contain the situation.
The director for the Women and Aids Group (WAG), Ms Mary Sandasi, said there was need for key players to devise mechanisms aimed at addressing some of the loopholes in the fight against the growing trend.
She said children under foster parental care, women-headed households and those physically and mentally handicapped were the most vulnerable.
Publisher: www.chronicle.co.zw/ 15/04/10
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