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