SA probes xenophobic attacks on Zimbabweans

Monday, 27 June 2011 01:00

From Thupeyo Muleya in POLOKWANE, South Africa THE South African Limpopo provincial government has set up a team to investigate and deal with issues of xenophobic attacks against Zimbabweans that occurred last week. It also emerged that about 28 Zimbabweans - among them toddlers - have sought refuge at Seshego Police Station, while unconfirmed reports indicate that over 1 000 of them were hiding in the bushes. The attacks, which claimed the life of a Zimbabwean, Godfrey Sibanda who was stoned to death by rowdy youths led by ANC councillor Tebogo Mojapilo, has left many Zimbabweans in Seshego, northwest of Polokwane, living in fear. Houses belonging to Zimbabweans were torched during the skirmishes. Twelve suspects - including the councillor - have since been arrested in connection with the attacks and were granted R600 bail each by the Polokwane Magistrates' Court. They will appear in court on August 16 for trial. The task team, which was created on Monday last week and chaired by Colonel Frank Ngobeni of the South African police services, comprises stakeholders from Red Cross, South African police, Polokwane Disaster Committee, UN Human Rights Commission and Capricorn District Management. Red Cross society's Capricorn district branch co-ordina-tor, Mr Alphens Mabina, said the issue facing the Zimba-bweans needed a multi-sectoral approach adding that they were working towards finding a lasting solution. He said: "With the assistance of the Limpopo provincial government, we have come up with a task team to investigate and work towards finding a solution to the problems facing foreign nationals in this city. "We are actually surprised by such an act. We didn't expect such unruly behaviour considering that we are all Africans and this place is for all who want to live in it. "At the moment we are keeping the affected families at Seshego Police Station where a number of organisations have donated food, clothing and blankets. "The task team is working towards integrating them into the community and so far the UN Refugee centre in Musina has indicated that they are willing to facilitate transportation to either Zimbabwe or Musina refugee centre to those willing. "We hope to arrive at a solution soon and as the Red Cross Society we don't condone such behaviour. You will realise that we are always on constant touch with our volunteers in these affected areas to check on the situation there every day. "It has also emerged that the majority of these victims had their travel documents and other valuables burnt and destroyed during the disturbances and we are willing to assist them to apply for asylum at the Home Affairs department if they so wish" he said. Seshego police spokesman, Warrant Officer Mathomane Molefo, said they had deployed enough manpower to monitor the situation in the area. "The situation has calmed down but we are not taking any chances. We will continue to engage the community and the victims in a bid to ensure that these people live in harmony. "This is an act by overzealous criminals and is short of anything next to xenophobia. We have a number of anti crime awareness campaigns around the town that are in progress and we believe this will go a long way in solving this problem. "Unfortunately, we don't have the requisite shelter to keep these victims here for good and we have agreed as the task team that by 15 July we must have quelled the situation", he said. He said they also had a challenge in repatriating Godfrey Sibanda's body to Zimbabwe as his relatives had no capacity and the Zimbabwe Consulate had indicated they had no budget to that effect. Meanwhile, Limpopo ANC has since denounced that attacks on foreigners, saying they should be condemned. In a statement last Friday, the ANC provincial spokesperson, Mr David Masondo, said: "The ANC notes the arrest of our ward councilor in Seshego, whom it is alleged has been involved in the attacks of Zimbabwean nationals. The ANC upholds the principle of innocent until proven guilty. For this reason, the charged councilor remains innocent until the court of law finds the councillor guilty. We reiterate that no one is above the law and any person, including our ANC members, found violating the law should be punished accordingly. We call on our communities not to the law onto their hands," he said

Eight-tonne contraband intercepted at border post

Wednesday, 06 July 2011 02:00

Beitbridge Bureau Chief THE Police Border Control and Minerals Unit has intercepted eight tonnes of copper cables worth thousands of dollars that were being smuggled into South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post and arrested four suspects in connection with smuggling. The arrest brings to nine the number of people who have been arrested for dealing with copper cables around the border town. Ruth Jambwa (47), Alice Nyamurenye (39) of Kwekwe, Moreblessing Mugota (32) and Douglas Hamauswa both of Harare were arrested at Beitbridge Border Post aboard a Musanhi Investments Crossborder bus at around 9pm on Friday. The quartet is now charged with contravening a section of the Copper Control and the Customs and Excise Act respectively. The police officer commanding crime in Beitbridge district, Superintendent Conrad Manhai confirmed the arrests yesterday adding that investigations were underway. Supt Manhai said the value of the contraband was yet to be ascertained. "We are on high alert to deal with such criminals and we want to warn them that their days are numbered," he said. "On this particular case police detectives got a tip off that there were people intending to smuggle stolen copper cables out of the country through Beitbridge border post. "Acting on the tip off we then teamed up with officers from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and intercepted the bus when it was about to leave Beitbridge border post for South Africa at the exit gate." The bus, Supt Manhai said, was then taken for physical examination by Zimra through scanning. It was then discovered that 8 000kg of copper were in the trailer. The four were then interrogated and that's when it was discovered that they had not declared the copper cables and they also had no authority to deal with the copper. "They were in turn arrested and the bus and the contraband were subsequently seized by Zimra. "We have since charged them with one count of contravening a section of the copper and a section of the customs and excise acts respectively. They will soon appear in court," he said. Supt Manhai raised concern over the increase in cases of smuggling of copper and cigarettes adding that police were out in full force. He added that they had re-arrested notorious copper cables thief, Roswell Pfaira on other charges of copper cables which were stolen along the Bulawayo Beitbridge road recently. Pfaira had just been fined US$4 000 by a Beitbridge magistrate after he was found stealing 900kg of electricity cables worth US$13,500 at the 12,5 km peg along the Beitbridge Masvingo highway.

Beitbridge farmer arrested for arson

Thursday, 16 June 2011 02:00
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
POLICE have arrested the Beitbridge farmer who had been on the run after he smashed his workers' tin houses and set their belongings on fire as punishment for failing to drive away cattle from his ranch.
The cattle belong to people in surrounding villages.
After committing the offence, George Watson (30) of Makhadho Ranch went into hiding along with his wife Elaine Du Plooy (25).
He was arrested after he went to the police in the company of his lawyer Mr Winston Tshakalisa last week.
The accused has a longstanding dispute with villagers from the nearby Siyoga, Madzive, Majini and newly resettled areas over grazing lands and a natural water drinking point.
The villagers allege that Watson fenced most natural water drinking points and pasture around his ranch barring livestock from the nearby villages from accessing the pastures.
However, the cattle and other livestock find their way to the ranch through the porous parameter fencing.
The villagers have long been accusing the couple of harbouring racist tendencies as they usually beat the former when they track the livestock at the farm.
Watson has since appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate, Miss Gloria Takundwa charged with malicious damage to property.
He was remanded to June 22 on US$100 bail and ordered to surrender his passport, reside at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses as part of the bail conditions.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi told the court that on the night of May 31 this year, Watson drove his Toyota Land Cruiser into three tin houses belonging to his workers.
He said seven people were sleeping in the houses.
The occupants in the houses, he said, were awaken by the impact and escaped unhurt.
Watson allegedly returned to his house and came back with petrol, which he sprinkled, on the damaged houses and the workers' belongings before setting them ablaze.
The workers lost property worth $1 400 in the fire.
Mr Mberesi said the Watson then went and directed his administration clerk to ensure that the houses were repaired before police arrived.
He then went into hiding with his wife.
A report was then filed with the police leading to his arrest after being on the run for a couple of days.

Zimbabwean stoned to death in SA

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 22:54

A ZIMBABWEAN man was on Monday stoned to death by a South African mob Beitbridge Bureau Chief A ZIMBABWEAN man was on Monday stoned to death by a South African mob in a repressive action targeting foreigners accusing them of fuelling criminal activities in the area. The incident occurred in Seshego suburb, a few kilometres northwest of Polokwane City, in Limpopo Province. Police sources said the incident occurred at around 8pm at Section 75 in Seshego. The man's body has since been conveyed to Polokwane Government Hospital mortuary while police are still making efforts to contact his relatives. Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the incident, saying they were yet to make any arrests. He said they were appealing to anyone with information to report to the nearest police station. Brigadier Mulaudzi said: "Preliminary investigations show that the mob was accusing foreign nationals there (Seshego) of fuelling criminal activities in the neighbourhood. The group of people went about intimidating the foreign nationals and unfortunately, there was a Zimbabwean national whom they cornered. They assaulted him before they stoned him to death. "Some of the victims had their houses vandalised and their belongings thrown out of their houses. "A report was in turn made by some concerned residents, leading to the deployment of the public order unit which managed to disperse most of these groups. "The officers are still deployed in the area until further notice. We are still carrying out investigations and we hope to account for the assailants soon. "These irresponsible people wanted to cause mayhem, but the situation has calmed down now." The incident comes a few months after seven other Zimbabwean men were fatally assaulted with metal bars by a mob in the Western Bank area of the same city accusing them of fuelling housebreaking cases in the suburb. Twelve suspects were picked up a week later by police in connection with the matter.

Tuku rocks Beitbridge

Sunday, 12 June 2011 22:28

From Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE SUPERSTAR Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi left his Beitbridge fans clamouring for more when he put up a polished show at Terry's Hall last Friday night. The gig was one of its kind, though it started a bit late owing to logistical problems. The superstar, who was supported by Mutare-based Band Too Open, gave the fun-starved revellers value for their money as he kept them on their feet throughout the night. By 9pm queues of fans who braved the cold weather had started forming outside the venue until the early hours of Saturday morning. First to take to the stage was Too Open who gave a good account of themselves. The superstar was performing for the second time in six months at the same venue. He last performed here while being supported by Sulu and Orchestra Dendera Kings. Tuku took to the stage at around 12 midnight where he put up an electric performance until 3am on Saturday. He belted most of his yesteryear hits and had most fans singing along for the better part of the night. The Katekwe music guru had a torrid time satisfying his legion of fans who kept on requesting replays for such songs as Tozeza Baba, Neria, Gondo and Nhava. If there was a time when the near full house was moved, it was when the legend belted the hit Tozeza Baba which he had to replay about three times at the request of fans. The song drove fans into delirium when the Black Spirits frontman and his band executed a well choreographed act. Some of the songs which were popular with the revellers include Neria, Bvuma, Tururu, Tozeza Baba, Gondo, Nhava, Vunze Moto and Ndiri Bofu. Show organiser, Lovemore Chonzi of Aerowise entertainment described the show as a huge success and commended the fans for attending in their numbers. "We will build on the success of this show as we move towards changing the night life in Beitbridge town. The revellers should also look forward to other shows lined up through the year and we want to thank them for their continuous support. We are improving by each day in terms of events management," said Chonzi.

Tuesday, 07 June 2011 22:49

From Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge A BEITBRIDGE couple landed itself in trouble after reportedly smashing workers' huts before setting them ablaze to fix them for failing to drive out of their farm stray cattle from nearby villages. Police are looking for George Watson (30) and his wife Elaine Du Plooy (25). The incident occurred on Tuesday midnight last week and since then the couple has been on the run, police said. It is understood the pair had a long standing dispute with villagers from the nearby Siyoga, Madzive, Majini and newly-resettled areas over grazing lands and natural water drinking point. Watson allegedly fenced most water points and grazing land around his ranch barring livestock from nearby villages from watering or pastures. However, the cattle and other livestock find their way to the ranch through the porous parameter fencing. The couple is accused of beating up villagers when they tracked their stray livestock to the farm. Police officer commanding Beitbridge district, Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chinhengo, confirmed the incident yesterday saying investigations into the case were in progress. "We have opened investigations into the matter and the net is closing in on the couple. Preliminary investigations reveal that on May 31 at around 12 midnight, the suspects smashed three huts belonging to his workers using his white Land Cruiser," said Chief Supt Chinhengo. He said there were seven occupants in the houses, but none of them was injured. "He told them he was punishing them for failing to drive away stray cattle from the nearby villages which he said were grazing from his paddocks. "After smashing the huts he went on to sprinkle petrol on the huts and their belongings which he then set on fire. "He then went to his house and told his administration clerk who also stays in the compound to ensure that the destroyed huts were to be reconstructed before our officers arrived. He then went into hiding along with his wife Du Plooy." A report was made at Makhadho Police Station and police have since impounded the Toyota Land cruiser he used to smash the huts. "We hope to account for him soon since he is also facing another assault case at the courts," he said. He said the police were appealing to anyone with information to report to the nearest police station. "As police we will remain vigilant and we can't allow this kind of cruelty to go on. The long arm of the law will soon catch up with the suspects," said Chief Supt Chinhengo. In another matter before the courts, the couple is facing charges of assaulting and setting dogs on two herdboys they found looking for stray donkeys in their ranch. It is alleged that on August 27 last year, the two boys who are aged 14 and 19 went to Makhadho ranch to look for their stray donkeys. When they were near Magumazi dam in the ranch, Du Plooy spotted them and she summoned her dogs. She then set the dogs on the boys. As the boys tried to flee from the marauding vicious dogs, Watson rushed to the scene. His wife reportedly grabbed the 19 year old boy and pinned him to the ground to stop him from restraining the dogs which were attacking the 14 year old boy. As a result the 14-year-old boy sustained severe injuries on the head and buttocks. The couple was subsequently arrested and were tried in court. They await ruling on the matter.

Gwanda State University plans at advanced stage

By Thupeyo Muleya
Plans towards the implementation of the Gwanda State University (GWASU) have reached an advanced stage, a senior government official has said.
In an interview, the provincial administrator for Matabeleland South, Mr David Mpofu said feasibility studies had since been committed adding that the government last month set up a committee to work on the logistical issues into the project.
He said so far $10 000 had been availed towards the project.
Matabeleland South Resident Minister and Provincial governor, Cde Angeline Masuku is the university’s patron.
Mr Mpofu said the university will be temporary be housed at the Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic College in the interim.
He said the university would offer degree programmes focusing mainly in livestock production and agriculture.
The university will be the first of its kind in the province as currently man people have to rely in universities in other provinces or make do with the Zimbabwe Open University which has a regional office in Gwanda.
The only higher education institute in Matabeleland South is the Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic College which trains teachers and a few vocational courses and has been battling to meet the needs of students from the province.

“The programme had temporally been shelved in the last few years, but now plans have gathered momentum which saw the appointment of a new committee to work on the logistics and modalities to see the university opening its doors in the instant future.
“Initially the University was scheduled to open its doors in 2008 but the project was temporarily shelved owing to some financial constrains and other logistical issues.
“We are very happy that all is moving in the right direction. This new committee has specific roles to carryout and is made mostly of academics and other technocrats as far as issues of higher and tertiary education are concerned.
“As local leaders and concerned parties we have since carried out feasibility studies and also complied the requisite documentation which government has since approved. We will continue mobilising resources to ensure that the university’s structures are constructed as soon as possible”, he said.
He said the university would offer livestock production and agriculture degree programs since the province was the largest hub of animal husbandry and irrigation farming.
“This institution will come as a relief to students from this region who has to rely on universities from other provinces as far as Harare and Bulawayo for this kind of education. Such effort comes as a way of the government’s commitment to bring education to all of the country’s 10 provinces”, he said.
Meanwhile the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) is still also working towards opening up a satellite office in Gwanda to cater for students from Matabeleland South province.
www.herald.co.zw
30 May 2011

Stocktheft cases on downslide in Mat South

By Thupeyo Muleya
Matabeleland South province has recorded a decline in cattle rustling cases since the introduction of comprehensive and well coordinated ant stock theft campaigns involving police and the community.
In an interview, the acting provincial police spokesman, Sergeant Thabani Mkwananzi said the crime had declined by 34 percent in the first quota of this year as compared to the same period last year.
He said they had received a total of 266 cases between January and April this year as compared to 402 which were reported last year.
Sgt Mkwananzi added that despite recording a decrease to the crime they would continue coming up with strategies to completely eradicate rustling which he said was cancerous to the country’s economy.
“It is encouraging that we have recorded a remarkable decline to the crime of stock theft with a 34 percent margin. We will build on the strength on of this success and come up with more strategies to completely eradicate the crime of stock-theft.
“We have made inroads in problem areas such as Shanyaugwe, Nhwali, John Dip, Guyu, Tuli and those bordering with Botswana and South Africa, where we have been carrying out continuous raids with the assistance of information from members of the community.
“The figure has also decline following the arrest of most rustlers who have been on the run for over five years.
“Recently we arrested one Busywork Ndlovu of Guyu who has been on the run since 2009. He is facing three separate charges of rustling.
“We actually came up with a list of wanted rustlers and distributed to all the seven districts and business centers and traditional leaders” he said.
Sgt Mkwananzi said a unity of purpose among the concerned parties had also helped in reducing cases of rustling.
“We realised that Matabeleland South was hard hit by stock theft and decided to come up with anti stock theft committees which are spearheading the cancer which is threatening the country’s economic revival efforts.
“As police we will continue working tirelessly in combating crime despite facing an acute shortage of resources to implement some of the campaigns.
“This province is an area where animal husbandry is the main economic activity hence most of the country’s herd is located in this area.
“Furthermore the government is in the midst of restoring the national herd, which was devastated by a number of factors stock thefts and intermittent droughts. This therefore calls for us as law enforcers to complement that initiative” he said.
www.herald.co.zw
30 May 2011

Insight into VaPfumbi culture

Friday, 20 May 2011 20:20

By Thupeyo Muleya The Vapfumbi culture has stood the test of time, especially when it comes to chieftaincy matters and safeguarding their values and ethos. Chieftainship wrangles have been reported throughout the country for sometime where family members fight bitter wars with some even consulting traditional healers and witch doctors to ensure they secure the coveted throne. However, no wrangle has been reported among the Vapfumbi tribe which has for many years managed to follow tradition in solving the succession issue. When Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980, the Government introduced a new system of governance which sought to decentralise power to the traditional leaders (chiefs). These fall under the Chiefs and Headmen Act. This was meant to help them preside over civil matters which didn't need the intervention of the justice system. Traditional leaders are also viewed as custodians of culture and values of certain tribes across the country. However, Beitbridge district was hit by a tragedy of living without senior traditional leaders (chiefs) for the last five years. The district falls under the jurisdiction of two chiefs - Chichewo Matibe in the East and Pariti Sitauze in the West. Chief Matibe passed away in May last year and was of the Vapfumbi tribe, while Chief Sitauze of the VhaVenda tribe passed on in September 2006. A fierce battle has been raging for sometime between the group led by the late chief's brother, Paul Sitauze and one led by a rival Johnson Mbedzi a descendent of the late chief's brother Marema who has since roped in the Ward 11 councillor Pini Mbedzi to his side. Marema was born with Matshavha and Mauda being sons of Diasikwa the man who started a bitter fight with Siturimani in the late 1930s. A 10-member research and steering committee was appointed by family members on February 24, 2007 to oversee the succession issue. The camp led by Paul has since chosen Mubuso Mbedzi, the surviving eldest son, following the death of his brother Simon to take over the throne, while Johnson is claiming that the late had been performing the duties on a caretaker basis and is not of "royal blood". He says Siturimani's father Mabukila was never a chief in his life. Mbedzi is alleging that the late Chief Pariti Sitauze was only a caretaker chief whose grandfather, Siturimani was "planted" by the then Native Commissioner a Mr Elliot during the Rhodesian era. The succession issue is yet to be settled and the two camps are failing to reach a compromise. Chief Matibe died at the age of 63 following a short illness at his Makothe village in Madaulo, some 80km out of the border town. Funeral procedures were carried out on the morning of May 11, 2010 in line with their cultural practices. Chichewo took over the reigns in 1976 following the death of his father in the early 1970s and was to be replaced by his nephew Timba Matibe as acting chief who then passed on in 1975. Chief Matibe is survived by his wife Maria Matibe, nine children and several grandchildren. The Vapfumbi tribe is naturally secretive when it comes to information regarding its cultural values and tradition. However, The Herald managed to penetrate the clan in a visit to the late chief's homestead recently. According to the late chief's brother, Joseph Lungano Matibe affectionately known as Two-Two by other villagers in Beitbridge East their clan does not take lightly to prying strangers. The Herald caught up with Lungano at Makothe village soon after Chichewo was buried formally. Ironically he is the only one in the family who can speak fluent Venda. All other members are comfortable in speaking their Pfumbi language. After some minutes of negotiating, Two-Two finally gave in and took us to the chief's homestead where we were told to wait at the Khoro (Chief's court), while he consulted with other family members to talk to us. The Matibe clan, whose totem is Chidzivahungwe derived from the crocodile, lives aloof from other villagers in Madaulo area just near Keyanse Estate on the boundary of Mwenezi and Beitbridge districts. They have their own dip-tank and borehole in the midst of their village. They also speak a language which is a mixture of Venda and Shona. "When a chief dies, we have a different way of burying him. We take his body to his hut (Pfamoni) where he used to keep his sacred tools and make a bed of logs made on top of a stilt. The body is then locked there and the house is sealed for 12 months. "The eldest aunt then selects some family members who will pour water into the hut every day through the top of the roof known as Chiludzini. "This is done until the body is rotten and only bones are left. After a year, we carry out some rituals to bury his remains at our local shrine Tshiendeulu at Malungudzi Mountains where our forefathers are lying," said Lungano. He added: "Our succession procedure is not very difficult. When the right time comes (after a year of the chief's death) just like now; we make all his children form a queue to push the door inside. Who ever pushes it and falls in will be installed the next chief, whether it's a boy or girl. "In this case, Elsh who happens to be the late chief's eldest son beat 16 others who were vying for the throne. They had to go through the process twice until Elsh broke the jinx. "When inside the hut there is stone which they take from his remains and swallow it. This will guide them through their rein as chief. This has been in practice since time immemorial. The stone was taken from the stomach of a crocodile which is our totem." He said after that they take him to a secluded house where we keep him for a few hours until the end of the day. "We will then take the remains and put them in a cow hide and bury them at the shrine where only close members are allowed. "We dig the grave using sticks and bury him using our own hands, no metal objects are allowed at the shrine. The new chief initiate will only see his father's grave on the following morning. As soon as that has been done we take him to Matonjeni (Matopo) where other members of our clan stay with our ancestral spirits. "He will only be installed the new chief after we come back from Matopo and have a gathering open to members of the public. Until that is done, we will on every Wednes-day play the ancestral drum known as Nengwani at night. "This is the cradle of our tribe and is four generations old. Furthermore, we will construct a hut for him at his homestead and we will keep the drum behind it until he passes on and it goes to the next heir of the chieftaincy" he said. Lungano added that in their tradition when a chief passes away they do not appoint anyone to act in his capacity, instead whenever there is a dispute they come together as family elders and make a decision. He explained that from the first day of the chief's death until a successor is found, the family members gather together at his homestead with her widow. "We don't cry and we beat a drum until the next morning when we disperse to our houses. We use it in happy or sombre times. Let me warn you this is a very sacred drum which cannot be touched by anyone who is still of child bearing age. They can only do that with the permission from the family elders," he pointed out. He said the drum is made in such a way that it makes a lot of sound adding that there is a special uniform which is worn when they beat it. The Nengwani drum is over 120-years-old. He added that after the new chief is installed, he is indoctrinated with their beliefs and ways of life. Lungano said unlike other tribes, the chief needs not carry out the rainmaking rituals himself, saying a council of family elders sits and allocate tasks to each other. He said they had similar practices with those Vapfumbi living under Chief Maranda as they are always in contact with each other. "In our culture, the chief doesn't necessarily need to go to Matonjeni (Njelele Mountains) for rain-making rituals himself. Instead, we come together as a council of elders and allocate each other responsibility with his guidance," said Two-Two. A historian from the Border town, Mr Samuel Mulaudzi said the Vapfumbi had an amicable way of dealing with succession. He said the tribe was a section of the Venda people who were known for rain-making rituals. "This is a clan which was responsible of rain-making rituals. Their language was formerly termed a sacred one as they used it to communicate with the Gods during rain- making ceremonies. "It then spread into the community through women from one of the ceremonies at Njelele mountains. "It so happened one year soon after conducting the rain making ritual. "The group told people to look for a lot of firewood that would last them for a month saying they were going to be heavy rains that following month. "The heavy rains came as they predicted resulting in other members of the Venda community calling them Vha Bvumbi Vhamvula (meaning they could predict what would happen in the next rain season). Thus the name became to be known as VhaPfumbi," said Mulaudzi. He added that the clan swallowed a stone from a crocodile to show their strength which they equate to that of the reptile. Renowned author and Professor Ntambeleni Charles Netshisaulu (Venda) of the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in South Africa said the VhaPfumbi were descendents of the VhaNgona tribe. He said it is common practice that every eligible Venda chief should swallow that stone which forms the essence of the chieftaincy. "This is a common practice among the Venda chiefs. You will realise that every eligible chief in the Venda tribe has to swallow the stone which is known as Ngwedi. "In most cases, the chief vomits it on the very day he passes on. The stone is then kept in that scared hut and will be given to the heir to swallow it. That can only be swallowed by an eligible heir to the chieftaincy," he said. Only time will tell if this mysterious culture will continue to be passed on from generation to generation. www.herald.cozw

Mbewe crowned Mr Ugly Unlimited

Sunday, 29 May 2011 21:16

Mr Ugly Austin Mbewe (centre) poses for a photo with Second Runner-up Chitova Chezhira (left) and First Runner-Up Kudakwashe Chiramba. By Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge ZIMBABWE'S most ugly man was crowned here on Saturday night at Pagomo Heights Leisure Centre in a fun-filled occasion attended by hundreds of people, some of them from as far as Bulawayo and Harare. The venue was filled to the brim with long winding queues of cars along the road to Pagomo Heights. Harare-based dance group Girls La Musica added colour to the event. Bulawayo-based Austin Mbewe (30) was crowned this year's winner of the contest after beating eight other hopefuls for the tightly contested Mr Ugly. Initially, a total of 15 ugly men were expected to outclass each other on the ramp but six developed cold feet at the eleventh hour. The show was held for the third time running after the previous two shows were successful in drawing an average of 30 men who volunteered to outclass each other to be crowned Zimbabwe's ugliest man. The pageant had the blessings of the National Arts Council and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the judges were women. Beitbridge-based Kudakwashe Chiramba (45) was crowned first runner-up while Chitova Chezhira (39) of Masvingo was the second runner-up. For the first time since its inception, the pageant had two Mr Ugly Personalities in the form of Thomas Magwegwe and Touchmore Denyathi both of Beitbridge. Mbewe was undoubtedly the deserving winner as he moved the crowd from the onset when he took to the ramp. He shrugged off a challenge from Chitova and Chiramba, but at the end of the day everyone agreed he was the right man for the Mr Ugly throne. For his efforts, Mbewe went away with a blanket and R1 200 cash, the first and second runners-up received R600 and R500 along with a blanket apiece. The two Mr Ugly Personalities walked away with a blanket each and cash prizes of R250. The other finalists received a blanket each as consolation. In an interview, Mbewe said: "I feel greatly honoured by this victory, I have been a subject of ridicule from society since childhood and the world has seen that there is a beautiful side to my ugliness. "I am very confident with my natural looks and confident about it. It was a tight contest but at the end of the day my hard work was rewarded." Show organiser, Lovemore Chonzi of Aerowise Entertainment, said the pageant was growing bigger every year. "We had lots of prizes and the attendance was very good. We are looking forward to building on the success of this year's edition," he said. He said they had successfully held road-shows to lure contestants from all parts of Beitbridge district and across the country. They had cast their net wider with contestants from as far as Bulawayo, Mbalabala, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Tshaswingo and Zaka participating. "Basically the competition is meant for people to have fun and celebrate who they are just like any other contests in the world. "We held another contest this year banking on the success of the last two editions and we are working towards making the contest a national event. "This time around we had four categories that is casual, smart casual, safari and sports." Last year's winner, popularly known as VaChiganda in the border town, walked away with R1 500, while the first prince got R1 200 and the second prince received R1 000 cash. Mr Ugly Pageant chairperson, Dominic Gwatirisa said they were still working towards making the pageant truly national. www.herald.co.zw

Matibe initiated paramount chief for Beitbridge East

Sunday, 15 May 2011 21:44
By Thupeyo Muleya
EILSH Matibe, the eldest son of the late paramount chief Chichewo Matibe who died last year, was last week initiated the new chief at a traditional ceremony held in line with the Vapfumbi traditions.
The ceremony was held at Makothe Village, 80km east of Beitbridge town on Thursday last week.
Eilsh (43) will undergo the full initiation processes in the next three weeks and will be formally installed chief at a later date.
He replaces his father who passed on at the age of 67 on May 10 last year.
The late Chichewo is survived by wife Maria, nine children and several grandchildren. Since then, Beitbridge district has been operating without a chief following the death of Pariti Stauze of Beitbridge West and Matibe of Beitbridge East.
There is also a long-standing dispute in the Stauze clan over the rightful heir to the throne.
According to the Vapfumbi culture, the chief is kept in his bedroom hut for a year until his burial after 12 months.
Scores of mourners from all over Beitbridge gathered at the Matibe homestead on Tuesday to witness the formal burial of the chief and the initiation of his heir.
The burial programme was conducted between 4 and 6am on Tuesday. In an interview, the late chief's brother Joseph Matibe said Eilsh beat 16 contenders to the throne.
"We have formally buried the late chief and in our tradition we don't just appoint the new heir, but we make his children queue and push the door to the bedroom hut where he had been lying in the last 12 months.
"Whoever manages to open the door will be initiated as the new chief.
"After which we take the chief's remains and bury them in line with our tradition at our shrine at Malungudzi Mountains.
"However, no strangers are allowed there while we carry out the initiation and burial process.
"We will formally install Eilsh as chief after we have notified our ancestors at Matopo and that will be carried out in the next three weeks, but members of the public will be notified in due course", he said.

Zimra clears congestion at Beitbridge

Friday, 13 May 2011 22:22

Beitbridge Border Post Beitbridge Bureau Chief CONGESTION at Beitbridge Border Post has eased after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority deployed more officers to clear cars being imported into the country. Few Zimra officers on vehicle clearance sections were failing to cope with the backlog in terms of duty calculations for second-hand vehicles imported from Asian countries, mainly Japan. Although the Government has hinted it intends to review the ban on the importation of vehicles more than five-years- old and those that are left-hand driven, dealers in mainly old Japanese cars and individuals are rushing to beat the initial June 30 deadline. MORE Used imported vehicles congest Beitbridge In separate interviews here yesterday, many car importers said they were now spending at least 24 hours to get the whole clearance process completed. "We are happy things are moving in the right direction and hope that they will remain like this. "This time I managed to get my car cleared within 24 hours unlike the previous experiences where I would spend three days to know how much I should pay as excise duty," said Mr Tapiwa Mukarakate of Mutare. A Zimra source said more personnel had been deployed to handle the car clearances. "More guys have been deployed and the situation has normalised," said an official who refused to be named. The Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe also expressed satisfaction with the improvement in the vehicle clearance process. In an interview yesterday, Mr Semion Mudau who is SFAAZ Beitbridge chairperson, said some of the challenges were being worsened by car dealers who took long to deliver vehicles to Beitbridge. "We have noted an influx with regards to used car imports from Asia, but the main challenges are being caused by transporters who advise people to come to Beitbrige before the cars arrive. "You will realise that some people spend three days in Beitbridge waiting for their cars to be delivered and then spend a day for them to get cleared by Zimra. "We are urging the importers to address this situation because it is very costly, especially on the car importers part. Some of the challenges people are facing stem from disagreements with Zimra in terms of valuations for their cars. "At times people import cars without money to pay for customs duty and in turn put pressure on our parking space. We have been consulting with Zimra and they will soon dispose of all those cars that spend more than two months in our yard without being cleared in line with Cus-toms and Excise instruments." Mr Mudau said. He said they had installed a 70 KVA generator at Manica warehouse that will see Zimra doing car clearances under one roof from 6am to 10 pm. At the moment, car dealers have the challenge of shuttling between Manica warehouse and the border post to get their vehicles cleared.

Ex-Jap cars flood Beitbridge

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 21:16

From Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE THERE is congestion at Beitbridge Border Post following a sudden influx of used vehicle imports, mainly from Japan, as car dealers and individuals rush to beat the June 30 deadline set by Government to ban the importation of vehicles over five- years-old. Sources at the border post say 15 car carriers used to be handled per day, translating to 101 vehicles. The number has since increased in the last two months to between 30 and 40 car carriers per day, translating to about 250 cars per day. However, Transport, Communication and In-frastructure Development Minister Nicholas Go-che yesterday indicated that the Government was reviewing the June 30 deadline. He said Government wanted to hold further consultations with relevant stakeholders. Minister Goche said the Government was re-viewing the implementation of regulations banning the importation of left-hand-drive cars and those over five-years-old previously set for June 30. EARLIER RELATED REPORTS Importation of motor vehicles Confusion over secondhand motor vehicles deadline In an interview yesterday, the minister said he would soon issue a statement over that matter. "We are reviewing the whole implementation of the regulations and I think that is what people want to hear at the moment. I am going to issue a statement after consultation with relevant stakeholders," he said. The regulations were set in September last year and were due to become effective in Dece-mber. However, they were deferred to July this year and as the deadline approaches, it has caused panic among vehicle importers. It is understood that car imports which pass through Beitbridge have increased in the last two months with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials reportedly struggling to clear the backlog at the vehicles duty calculations section. Unconfirmed reports also indicate that car dealers here and in Durban were also contemplating reducing prices to clear their stocks before midnight on June 30. Zimbabwe is one of the major importers of used Japanese vehicles in Southern Africa. Car importers have raised concern over the pace at which excise duty for their vehicles was being calculated. Some importers had to wait for at least four days for them to know how much they were supposed to pay as duty, a process that used to be done in a day. Early this year, it was reported that the num-ber of cars coming in through Beitbridge rose in January this year to 3 150 compared to 2 310 in January 2010. Official figures from Zimra indicated that the number of vehicles imported had gone up significantly since January 2011 due to the fact that many importers delayed delivery last year to benefit from the new rates of duty introduced in January this year. "A total of 3 150 vehicle submissions were ma-de for the month of January 2011 compared to 2 310 vehicles imported in January 2010," said an official who declined to be named. Zimra officials at Beitbridge who preferred anonymity said the upsurge in vehicle imports from Japan started two months ago. They claimed that they expected the number to increase. One of the officials said: "On average, we handle about 15 car carriers per day, translating to 101 vehicles that we clear per day, but in the last two months we have been clearing between 30 and 40 car carriers. "That has also put a lot of pressure on the vehicle clearance department as we have to battle with the duty calculations. "Under normal circumstances, clearing a car should be done within 24 hours but now some have to be done between two to four days and we expect the figure to increase in the next six weeks. People have been panicking on what will happen after June 30 and are rushing to get their vehicles into the country before the stipulated deadline. "In most cases, our peak periods for arrival of car carriers are Thursdays and Fridays, where we clear 160 or more cars per day." The official added that officers from their department were equal to the task adding that at any given time there were between 700 and 800 cars awaiting clearance at the Manica bonded warehouse per day. It is feared that the number might drastically increase soon. "We are also worried that if something is not done at the earliest possible time, we will have cars piling up at Manica warehouse as people would want to bring their imports in and clear them later," said the official. Cars with an engine capacity of between 1 000 cubic cm and 1 500 cubic cm now attract excise duty of 25 percent, Value Added Tax of 15 percent and a surtax of 25 percent for vehicles that are more than five-years-old. In a recent interview Zimra's Commissioner responsible for corporate and legal affairs Ms Florence Jambwa said the rise in imports meant the Government was now making more money than it did from car import taxes. Mrs Jambwa said Zimra faced the challenge of cars piling up at the vehicle workstation and they were in the process of moving all clearance processes to the Manica Bonded Warehouse. Last year, Zimra moved the clearance of all imported vehicles from the Customs yard in a bid to decongest the border post. This was because some importers dumped their cars there after failing to pay duty. She also indicated that they were working towards reducing the time importers spend at border posts.

Somali refugees sent back to Zim

Wednesday, 04 May 2011 22:32

Beitbridge Bureau Chief THE South African Immigration Department is sending back to Zimbabwe Somalis seeking refuge in that country amid reports of a looming malaria outbreak in Beitbridge border town. It is understood that South Africa is arguing that Zimbabwe should regularise the Somalis’ movement first before allowing them to cross into that country. However, health officials reported that the majority of the Somali refugees that were stranded at Beitbridge Border Post since Friday had a severe strain of malaria. Medical examinations carried out on 10 of the refugees indicated that most had malaria while two of them who were seriously ill were still admitted at Beitbridge District Hospital. The other eight were treated and discharged. According to Zimbabwean immigration officials at Beitbridge Border Post, the South Africans started sending the Somalis to Zimbabwe last Thursday. Previously, Ethiopians and Somalis seeking refugee in South Africa would be vetted on the Zimbabwean side and allowed passage into South Africa where they would apply for refugee status. The district civil protection committee on Tuesday resolved to round up all Somali refugees and take them into a temporary holding place. They are likely to be taken to Tongogara refugee centre in Chipinge. Committee chairperson, Mr Simon Muleya, who is also the district administrator, said the situation, needed urgent attention before it went out of hand. Mr Muleya said they were still consulting with the national refugee committee on the way forward. “We are very worried about this development whereby the South African immigration department started turning away the Somali refugees at their border insisting they would not assist them if they are undocumented. “We are still consulting with the national executive while we also call for inter-governmental interventions between the governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa. “If this situation is not addressed urgently, we are at risk of a severe malaria epidemic. This scenario is a real cause for concern and as a committee we are going to do everything necessary to assist these people. “These people have started wandering in the town where they are asking for food and that is not pleasing as they are putting the community at risk of contracting malaria. “We will also engage other partners such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organisation for Migration, local government and other security agencies. “In the interim, we are going to put them in a temporary holding place where they will all be decontaminated of malaria while efforts to address their plight are being made,” he said. Although South Africa deported the Somalis, it was difficult for Zimbabwe to chase them away as the country was bound by the international refugees’ protocols to offer them assistance. Mr Muleya said IOM and other human rights and refugee organisations were still engaging the South African government on the matter. Police officer commanding Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero also said the group posed a security threat as they were now roaming around the town while others had even disappeared from the border. “These people are now pausing a security threat and we need to act as soon as possible before the situation goes out of hand,” he said.

Zim, SA agree on illegal immigrants

Friday, 06 May 2011 22:19

Beitbridge Bureau Chief ZIMBABWE and South Africa yesterday agreed to deal decisively with illegal immigrants, mainly from countries north of the Zambezi River that are accessing the two countries without proper documents. The resolution was made following a meeting held in Beitbridge yesterday between security agents and immigration officials from both countries. This comes after an upsurge in illegal immigrants, mainly from Somalia who skip the country into South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post. They will be masquerading as refugees seeking assistance. Immigration officials from the two countries expressed concern over the developments. They said they would deal with them according to the provisions of the immigration and refugee laws of both countries. Recently, more 100 Somalis were stranded at Beitbridge Border Post after they were sent back from the South African side for failing to produce proper documents. The South Africans argued that Zimbabwe needed to document the refugees first before allowing them to proceed to the next host country. It also emerged that most of them had a severe strain of malaria. The Beitbridge District Civil Protection Committee resolved to round them up and detain them at a temporary holding camp pending transportation to Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge. However, the group disappeared from the border town after getting information that they would be rounded up. Only 64 Somalis that arrived late this week at the border post were rounded up by police and immigration officials on Thursday night. Zimbabwe's principal director of Immigration Senior Assistant Commissioner Clemence Masango, said they were concerned with issues of irregular migration. "We held a meeting with our South African counterparts to address the question of irregular migration and its vices. "Both countries are feeling the effect from the security point of view and crime in general. "With that in mind, we have resolved that all migration issues must be administered in accordance with our national laws and procedures," said Masango. "Persons will be admitted on the strength of valid and acceptable travel documents as is the norm throughout the world. "It was agreed that all those not meeting, conforming or evading these procedures shall be treated as inadmissible. "The law is very clear that those claiming refugee or asylum be treated along the national strategies and guidelines of migration in consultation with the office of the commissioner of refugees and other stakeholders. "We have made a stand that we will descend heavily on those evading the law and our officers are adequately qualified in dealing with such issues. "No one should claim to be a refugee in any country until they have formally applied and conferred with that status by the host country." he said. Snr Ass Comm Masango said the law enforcement agencies were on the ground dealing with those who were in the country illegally. He said most of those seeking refugee status in the country were coming through Nyamapanda Border Post and were going through the normal determination processes. "We are bound by the country's legislative laws and the international laws in handling refugees. "Most of those roaming our borders will have entered the country illegally or deserted our refugee centre in Chipinge," he said. South Africa's deputy director general of immigration, Mr Jackson McKay said: "We are very much concerned with the upsurge in irregular migration between Zimbabwe and South Africa. "We have come together to find a lasting solution to the problem. "As authorities, we have agreed to effectively apply the immigration laws and international conventions that guide us in handling refugees and transit population. "Anyone who wishes to access either country should have proper and acceptable travelling documents". Mr McKay challenged security forces to work hard in reducing cases of illegal migration within the Limpopo River. It is believed that there are over 200 illegal crossing points to South Africa dotted along the Limpopo River.

Somali refugees sent back to Zim

Wednesday, 04 May 2011 22:32

Beitbridge Bureau Chief THE South African Immigration Department is sending back to Zimbabwe Somalis seeking refuge in that country amid reports of a looming malaria outbreak in Beitbridge border town. It is understood that South Africa is arguing that Zimbabwe should regularise the Somalis’ movement first before allowing them to cross into that country. However, health officials reported that the majority of the Somali refugees that were stranded at Beitbridge Border Post since Friday had a severe strain of malaria. Medical examinations carried out on 10 of the refugees indicated that most had malaria while two of them who were seriously ill were still admitted at Beitbridge District Hospital. The other eight were treated and discharged. According to Zimbabwean immigration officials at Beitbridge Border Post, the South Africans started sending the Somalis to Zimbabwe last Thursday. Previously, Ethiopians and Somalis seeking refugee in South Africa would be vetted on the Zimbabwean side and allowed passage into South Africa where they would apply for refugee status. The district civil protection committee on Tuesday resolved to round up all Somali refugees and take them into a temporary holding place. They are likely to be taken to Tongogara refugee centre in Chipinge. Committee chairperson, Mr Simon Muleya, who is also the district administrator, said the situation, needed urgent attention before it went out of hand. Mr Muleya said they were still consulting with the national refugee committee on the way forward. “We are very worried about this development whereby the South African immigration department started turning away the Somali refugees at their border insisting they would not assist them if they are undocumented. “We are still consulting with the national executive while we also call for inter-governmental interventions between the governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa. “If this situation is not addressed urgently, we are at risk of a severe malaria epidemic. This scenario is a real cause for concern and as a committee we are going to do everything necessary to assist these people. “These people have started wandering in the town where they are asking for food and that is not pleasing as they are putting the community at risk of contracting malaria. “We will also engage other partners such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organisation for Migration, local government and other security agencies. “In the interim, we are going to put them in a temporary holding place where they will all be decontaminated of malaria while efforts to address their plight are being made,” he said. Although South Africa deported the Somalis, it was difficult for Zimbabwe to chase them away as the country was bound by the international refugees’ protocols to offer them assistance. Mr Muleya said IOM and other human rights and refugee organisations were still engaging the South African government on the matter. Police officer commanding Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero also said the group posed a security threat as they were now roaming around the town while others had even disappeared from the border. “These people are now pausing a security threat and we need to act as soon as possible before the situation goes out of hand,” he said. www.herald.co.zw

Tout falls from bus carrier, dies

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 21:32

Beitbridge Bureau Chief A-30-YEAR-OLD tout from Esigodini died last Friday afternoon after falling headlong from the carrier of a bus while loading passengers' luggage. The incident occurred at Ntunjambila Business Centre in Matopo District at around 4.30pm. It is understood that Given Mpunzi who was employed by Majaha Bus Company, was busy loading luggage on top of the bus and during the process, the driver started the engine of the bus unaware that he was still on the carrier. His body was discovered by a passerby along the Old Gwanda Road who then informed the police. Acting police spokesman for Matabeleland South province, Sergeant Thabani Mkhwananzi, confirmed the incident yesterday, adding that investigations were in progress. He said in a related incident that occurred in the same area on Thursday afternoon last week, a four year-old boy was fatally hit by a speeding vehicle while trying to cross the road. "On the fateful day, the boy was in the company of a 37 year-old neighbour at Ntunjambila Business Centre and while they were walking, the boy tried to cross the road in front of an oncoming car, a Datsun pick up resulting in the driver failing to stop on time and hit the boy and he died on the spot," he said. Sgt Mkhwananzi identified the boy as Awakhe Moyo of Ntunjambila area. He said his body was also taken to the UBH. He said the driver was arrested on charges of culpable homicide and would appear in court soon, adding that they were still investigating the matter. www.herald.co.zw

25 years jail for rape

Beitbridge Bureau Chief

Monday, 18 April 2011 22:39

A Beitbridge tout was recently jailed 25 years effective for raping and robbing a woman he waylaid along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway. Thulani Sibanda (27) of Dulibadzimu suburb in the border town had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of robbery and rape when he appeared before Matabeleland South regional magistrate Mr Owen Tagu. He was, however, convicted on the strength of overwhelming evidence. Prosecutor Mr Johannes Tlou, told the court that on April 9 this year, the 34-year-old woman disembarked from a truck which was coming from Masvingo at the Masvingo-Bulawayo turn off in Beitbridge at around 9 pm. She met Sibanda along a bushy path near Red Quinn garage who then grabbed her from behind, threatening to assault her if she screamed. He then dragged her to a secluded area in the bush where he raped her once. After that he stole the woman's cell phone and ordered her to go and leave her bags at a security guard near Red Quinn garage. The woman complied and the two went to the garage on the guise that they were going to attend a musical show at a local nightclub. They then started moving towards the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway. However, along the way two vehicles approached from behind. The woman then grabbed Sibanda from behind and screamed for help. A group of men in the vehicles rescued the woman. They apprehended Sibanda and recovered the cell phone. Sibanda was handed over to the police. Meanwhile, appearing before the same magistrate was a 28-year-old man who was accused of raping an eight-year-old girl after dragging her to a bushy area. Tinashe Ngwenya of Chamutewa area in Madaulo area was convicted on one count of rape following a fully contested trial. He was left with 12 years effective to serve after Mr Tagu conditionally suspended six years of his sentence for five years. Charges were that on December 9 last year, he went to the borehole in the same village where he met the girl who was busy pumping water into a bucket. He asked her to accompany him to the bush to look for Mopani worms but the girl refused. Ngwenya grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into the bush where he raped her once. Soon after committing the offense he promised to give girl some money. However, the girl went home and informed her father who reported the matter to the police.

www.herald.co.zw

Woman covicted for smuggling copper

Thursday, 14 April 2011 20:41

Beitbridge Bureau A 35-YEAR-OLD Harare woman has been jailed for six months or US$200 fine for attempting to smuggle 600kg of scrap copper worth $6 000 out of the country through the Beitbridge Border Post. Lindiwe Chipayi of 522 Engineering in Highfield was convicted on her own plea of guilty on Tuesday to charges of dealing with copper without a licence when she appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Mrs Auxillia Chiumburu. She was given an option to pay US$200 fine, failure of which she will be sent to jail. Charges are that on January 28 this year, Chipayi went to Beitbridge Border Post aboard a SRY Coaches bus travelling from Harare to Johannesburg, South Africa. The copper, which was packed in six sacks was been hidden in the boot of the bus. At the border, she completed all the immigration formalities without declaring the scrap copper. The copper was discovered when the bus was searched by detectives from the Border Control Unit on routine patrol. She was asked to produce the customs clearance documents and a licence authorising her to deal in copper and she failed. She was arrested and the scrap copper comprising mainly of radiators was in turn forfeited to the State. www.herald.co.zw

‘One-stop border post missing link at Beitbridge’

Sunday, 10 April 2011 21:32

Beitbridge Bureau Chief THERE is urgent need for a one-stop border post at Beitbridge to quicken traffic movement, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha said last week on Thursday. Deputy Minister Bimha was visiting the border post. He said: "It is a learning experience for me and you will realise that most of the challenges facing the stakeholders manning this border post are of a similar nature and are cross cutting on all arms of Government. "This therefore calls for a well-coordinated inter-ministerial approach in dealing with most of these challenges. "We have to put our house in order as we move towards implementing the one-stop border post between Zimbabwe and South Africa." Under the one-stop post travellers only have to go to one counter, will ensure a speedy flow of traffic between the two countries. "We will exchange notes with our counterparts in Government on how best we can improve the situation at Beitbridge and speed up the movement of both human traffic and cargo," he said. "It is of paramount importance that all arms of Government read on the same page so that we successfully implement most of the stipulated policies around this area." The problems at Beitbridge included the unavailability of accommodation, human resources, poor infrastructure, non compliance with immigration or customs regulations, an increase in transit fraud cases and the shortage of funds to complete some of the capital projects. "Because of the type of activity at Beitbridge which is one of the busiest ports of entry in the region, there is a strong need to ensure compliance. "At the same time the service providers here must cultivate a degree of customer care. "We have had numerous reports from industrialists, businesspeople, travellers and other importers and exporters on the lack of client care here. "Apart from that we also noted with concern that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is keeping a lot of goods in their warehouses which can easily be disposed to those who are in dire need. "For instance they are keeping a lot of blankets which can be given to state hospitals, charity institutions and the prison rather than filling the warehouses with goods of no benefit. We need to get cargo moving. "This scenario calls for us as Government to review some of the policies that are leading to some of these challenges. "As much as we want revenue, our rates should be affordable so as to ensure compliance and the payment of customs duty and various levies collected at this border," he said. He said the Government would also work on modalities aimed at easing the burden car importers face and at the same time dealing with influx of second hand cars from countries in Asia. Deputy Minister Bimha said there was need for Government to formulate long term strategies that addressed the needs of people, while trying to avoid the flooding of second hand vehicles into the country. On average Zimra clears around 130 vehicles per day with official figures indicating that vehicle imports have surged by 36 percent following the review of excise duty by Government in January this year. It is understood that at Beitbridge Border Post, 3 150 vehicle submissions were made for the month of January 2011 compared to 2 310 vehicles imported in January 2010. www.herald.co.zw

Immigration ready for holiday influx

Wednesday, 06 April 2011 21:32

By Thupeyo Muleya The Immigration Department is geared to handle the expected influx of human and vehicular traffic expected to pass through Beitbridge Border Post during the Easter Holiday. In an interview yesterday, immigration Officer-in-Charge (operations) at Beitbridge, Mrs Tamari Shadaya, said they would employ some of the clearance systems they used during Christmas last year to deal with the traffic surge. Mrs Shadaya said they had agreed in principal with their South African counterparts to align clearance of people and vehicles. "At the moment, we are operating on four shifts and with effect from April 18 until the end of Easter we will suspend all off and leave days. "We have staff complement of 55 and we need an extra 15 to operate at full strength. "Immigration officials from Zimbabwe and South Africa have agreed to implement a similar clearance programme to ensure the speedy flow of traffic. "The police and other stakeholders will also be engaged to ensure maintenance of order and providing marshals at all clearing points. "More immigration clearing points will be opened outside the main immigration hall if the need arises." She said more security guards would be deployed at all entry and exit points to ensure travellers' safety. Mrs Shadaya said they would separate traffic into pedestrians, buses, commercial, tourists and private motorists. Presently, all are cleared at the same counters. Mrs Shadaya said they had devised a tagging system of clearing passengers in buses in their order of arrival to decongest the border post. "On average, we clear between 1 500 and 2 000 people per day and about 15 000 during holidays. "We anticipate the number to drastically increase this time around taking into account that a lot of people did not come back home during the festive season. "Many were still regularising their stay in South Africa and most of them were successful. These people would probably want to visit their relatives during Easter." Mrs Shadaya said that they had recorded a decline in people enter-ing the country through Beitbridge in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period last year. "During the period under review, last year we had a total of 1 039 594 people who used Beitbridge Border Post as compared to 661 572 this year." www.herald.co.zw

All set for 'Mr Ugly' 2011 contest

Monday, 04 April 2011 21:13 By Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," is one statement that usually settles differences in opinion as to who and what constitutes "beauty".Suffice to say, there are a number of differentials in defining this ideal, many of which cannot be agreed upon among people.Yet one can argue that the person who coined that statement in question probably forgot the flip side of beauty - ugliness. In all fairness, the same rule could be applied to the not-so-fair products of nature, the ones whose faces could easily send children scampering for cover under a pillow. This could be the reason why the hitherto unheralded idea is gaining currency, in its grotesqueness and guess what? In yonder Beitbridge of all places.All is set for this year's edition of the "Mr Ugly" contest with a total of 15 men from across the country expected to take part. The modelling contest is scheduled to take place next month at Pagomo Heights Leisure Centre in Beitbridge.The contest - now in its third year - previously attracted an average of 30 contestants who volunteered to take part in the Zimbabwe's ugliest man pageant. Show organiser Lovemore Chonzi of Aerowise Entertainment said preparations had gathered momentum adding that this year's edition would be unique from the previous two events. He said they were going to hold road shows to lure contestants from all parts of Beitbridge district.Chonzi added that so far six contestants - two from Bulawayo, two from Masvingo, one from Kwekwe and the other one from Zaka - had since confirmed their participation. He said entry was free and they were looking at men who were very confident about their ugly looks. "Basically the competition is meant for people to have fun and celebrate who they are just like any other contest in the world. "We are holding another contest this year banking on the success of the last two editions and we are working towards making the contest a national event. "At the moment six contestants from across the country have confirmed their participation and we will hold roadshows in all parts of Beitbridge district to select others. The date for the show will be announced soon as we are still waiting for some dignitaries from Bulawayo and Harare to confirm their attendance. "The pageant will be unique this time around and we will have four categories - casual, smart casual, safari and sports."We have also got enough sponsorship and the prize money this year will be much higher and we are calling on those interested to get in touch with us," he said. Chonzi said the roadshows were earmarked for Chaswingo, Lutumba, Tshapfuche, Matshiloni, Joko, Bishopstone Estate and River Ranch Mine.Last year's winner, Elmas Moses, popularly known as VaChiganda, walked away with R1 500, while the first prince got R1 200 and the second prince received R1 000 cash. Chonzi said they were still working towards making the pageant a national event with a number of contests already been lined up for other provinces to choose those who will battle it out for the national crown in Harare. www.herald.co.zw