Border traffic surges

August 7, 2013 

Beitbridge Bureau
The volume of traffic has drastically increased at Beitbridge Border Post and people are spending an average of three hours to enter South Africa. Traffic surged on Sunday night as people resumed their normal business soon after the announcement of the harmonised election results. A week before the elections, the movement of people at the border had become relatively low with the immigration department assisting less than 6 000 on both sides of the border.
Long queues have become common on the South African border, while people are still being cleared efficiently on the Zimbabwean border.
Travellers who spoke to The Herald said yesterday that they were spending more time on the south of the Limpopo as compared to the few minutes on the Zimbabwean border.
The assistant regional immigration officer in charge of Beitbridge Mr Charles Gwede said many people had suspended movement during the elections and had returned to their normal business.
“You will also note that this is a month-end and holiday where a lot of people cross the border for shopping and visiting in South Africa. We have also seen that people had minimised their movements during the pre-election period but they are now back to business as usual.”
http://www.herald.co.zw/border-traffic-surges/ 

Sunday News editor Paul Mambo buried

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Scores of mourners thronged the Mambo homestead in Mpande Village some 135km west of Beitbridge town to bid farewell to Sunday News editor Paul Mambo (46) who succumbed to meningitis at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on Saturday evening. Speaker
after speaker spoke well of the veteran journalist at his grave site, whose career spans 19 years.
The burial was attended by people from various parts of the country including Mambo’s colleagues from Zimbabwe Newspapers group and other media organisations.
Zimpapers group editor-in-chief Pikirayi Deketeke told the mourners that the organisation had lost an iconic figure who was always focused on discharging his duties professionally. Deketeke said Mambo’s dedication to duty had never at any time been questionable.
He added that the veteran journalist had proved to be a remarkable leader during his tenure as the chairman of the Zimbabwe’s Editors’ Forum.
“This is a great loss to the Zimpapers family and I want to convey our greatest sympathy to his relatives during this hour of need.
“Furthermore as Zimpapers we are ready to assist you wherever you feel necessary. We will sadly miss one of our greatest team leaders,” said Deketeke.
Chronicle editor Itayi Musengeyi described Mambo as a principled man who had cultivated a culture of unity amongst his workmates and management. He said the late editor would always stand for the interests of his subordinates in ensuring that they got all the necessary resources in line with the discharge of their duties.
“We have lost a man who always stood for the interests of his subordinates and would also offer them guidance all the time.
“This is a great loss to the Zimpapers and the communities he touched,” said Musengeyi.
Former Sunday News magazine editor Delta Milayo-Ndou echoed the same sentiments, saying Mambo was a great leader who had helped in moulding her career as a formidable journalist. She described him as a great mentor, leader and traditionalist who never divorced himself from the rural community. Milayo-Ndou said the rural community had lost a man who would give a voice to the marginalised in the society and had shown a great interest in promoting rural news coverage across the country.
Several family representatives said Mambo would be sadly missed as a unifier and father figure who was willing to listen and assist any of them and the communities around.
They said he had left a void which would be difficult to fill. Mambo is survived by wife Egith and four childrenhttp://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88625:sunday-news-editor-paul-mambo-buried&catid=38:local-news&Itemid=131#.UfDS1KxSVdg

Estate owner points gun at Mohadi’s team

Beitbridge Bureau
A 63-year-old farmer at Bubi Safari Estate and his 24-year-old employee have been fined US$200 each for pointing a fire arm at a member of Zanu-PF senate candidate for Beitbridge Cde Tambudzani Mohadi’s campaign team and for disorderly conduct.
The two tried to bar Cde Mohadi from holding a political meeting at the farm. Norman Dale Reed Sparrow, a South African, along with Milton Ncube, a game scout at the farm, were found guilty of provoking Cde Mohadi and pointing a fire arm at one of the campaign team members.
Sparrow was charged with contravening a section 41 (b) of the Criminal Law Reform and Codification Act on disorderly conduct in a public place, while Ncube was charged with breaching section 27 (b) of the Firearms Act for pointing the firearm.
They were both convicted on their own plea of guilty when they appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa yesterday.
They risk imprisonment for four days should they fail to pay the fine.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi told the court that on Sunday morning at around 10am, Cde Mohadi went to Bubi Safari Estate in the company of her campaign team with the intention of holding a political meeting.
On arrival at the gate, Ncube denied them entry into the farm, saying he was acting on Sparrow’s instructions.
Cde Mohadi insisted on holding the meeting at the farm as per schedule, but Ncube remained adamant and called Sparrow to the gate.
Sparrow told Cde Mohadi that she was not welcome at the farm.
Mr Mberesi said Sparrow told Cde Mohadi that her request was “nonsense and stupid”.
When Beitbridge District vice chairperson of the war veterans association Cde Samuel Mulaudzi tried to intervene, Ncube pointed an ML5 rifle which was loaded with 20 rounds intending to shoot him.
http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87271:estate-owner-points-gun-at-mohadis-team&catid=46:crime-a-courts&Itemid=138#.UeTyB6xSVdg

Tripple B, Rhinos draw

Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge Bureau
Tripple B . . . . . . . (1)1
Rhinos . . . . . . . . .(1)1
A late equaliser was all Black Rhinos needed to spoil Tripple B ‘s party in a tightly-contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played before a capacity crowd at Dulibadzimu here yesterday. The two teams had to wait for the second leg of their encounter this year after they all failed to penetrate each other’s defense in Rimuka Stadium
a few weeks ago where the match ended nil all.

Tripple B predatory striker Alick Marime had put his team in the driving seat in the third minute after he converted a penalty sending Chipembere’s goal keeper Herbert Rusawo the wrong side. The home side was awarded a penalty after Marime was fouled by Clarence Zimbau in the box.

However Brian Muzondiwa made the teams even in the 40 minute when he capitalised on a counter attack after outpacing Tripple B captain Oscar Chove and sending Tapiwa Mafunga the wrong side.

The match kicked off with both teams playing fast paced football though their strikers failed to convert a number of chances in front of goals. Black Rhinos veteran striker Gilbert Mushangazhike was the most unlucky player for the better part of the day.

The fast paced Mushangazhike nearly scored for his team in the 9th minute but was denied by Mafunga who was equal to the task. The rhinos forward came knocking again in the 33rd minuet but his shot went wide.

Tshintsha Magiya tried to capitalise on counter attacks in the last 15 minutes of the first half but the Chipembere defence which was well marshalled by Shadreck Jimu was in a no nonsense mood.

The visitors upped their game in the second half with the duo of Muzondiwa and Wonder Kapinda literally camping in Tshintsha Magiya’s half for five minutes. Rhinos coach replaced Zimbau with Martin Mine in the 74th minute while his counterpart replaced the injured Marime with the quick Rainsome Pavari.

Philip Makanje earned himself a yellow card after he tried to pull a 'Hand of God' stunt in the 57th minute off a Webster Chingodza corner kick. Referee Mulindeli Ndebele was apt in disallowing the gaol.

In a post match interview Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani said his charges had played well as a unit  though they failed to convert a lot of chances in the second half.
His Tripple B counterpart Peter Manoti said his side has improved a lot as compared to the last matches.

“We played very well and our play has been improving and we hope to continue picking more points so that we stay in the PSL. We are not taking any chances as we will continue reviewing progress in all departments,” he said.

Marime nearly missed the match as Tripple B and Strikers FC executive were fighting over a debt involving $1000 in singing on fees. However the matter was resolved after Strikers FC were paid the money on Friday afternoon.

“We have paid them the money and as far as we are concerned that is a closed chapter. This was just a mere ploy to derail our progress buy some of our colleagues,” said Tripple B secretary Gibson Makanda.

Teams

Tripple B : T Mafunga, T Mkondwa, G Fireyi, O Chove, E Mwinga, T Mamvura, W Chingodza, P Makanje, S Maengeni, A Marime (R Pavari 76 min), S Maengeni.
Black Rhinos : H Rusawo, J Mukombwe, M Kurewa, B Homora, S Jimu, W Masenda, B Muzondiwa, G Mushangazhike, T Machacha, C Zimbau (M Mine 74 minutes).
http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36733:tripple-b-rhinos-draw&catid=50:sport&Itemid=142#.UeKVnaxSVdg 

MDC-T at Zanu-PF rally

Beitbridge Bureau
MDC T’s aspiring candidate for Beitbridge East constituency Mr Morgan Ncube was on Tuesday afternoon spotted at a Zanu-PF rally along with 15 other party youths.
The opposition candidate and his team, dressed in their party regalia, are said to have arrived in two vehicles.
Zanu-PF’s Dulibadzimu branch chairman Cde Gideon Muleya addressed the gathering at OJ Sports Bar (Ward 3) and also introduced the six candidates who are representing the party in the urban wards.
Ironically, Ncube is the former Ward 3 councillor. Ncube, who is the MDC-T Matabeleland South Youth Assembly chairperson, will square off against Home Affairs co-Minister Kembo Mohadi for the Beitbridge East seat.
Zanu-PF’s aspiring councillor for Ward 3 Cde Gift Nyoni said it was interesting to note that even opposition party supporters were interested in his party’s  programmes.
“It was very amusing to note that some opposition party supporters are curious and interested in our campaigns. Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party which is open to anyone, and if the MDC-T supporters feel they need to relinquish the regime change agenda and join the empowerment train they are free to do so.,” 0he said.
http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86639:mdc-t-at-zanu-pf-rally&catid=38:local-news&Itemid=131#.Ud5YKKxSVdg

'Extend business hours at Chirundu’

Thupeyo Mleya Beitbridge Bureau
Border authorities and customs clearing agents operating at Chirundu Border Post have appealed to Government to consider extending business hours at the border as a long-term solution to the challenges that have been affecting the movement of both human
traffic and cargo. Stakeholders including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Immigration, VID, the police and the Shipping and Forwarding Agents’ Association of Zimbabwe agreed during a crisis meeting held at the border post last week that most of the problems at that port of entry were due to the limited opening times.
Chirundu Border Post opens for human traffic between 6am and 6pm while commercial traffic is allowed entry between 8am and 5pm.
The chaos on the country’s northern border has also been blamed on the mismatch in operating times between Chirundu and Beitbridge post, which operates 24 hours.
SFAAZ chief executive officer Mr Joseph Musariri said in an interview yesterday that the decision was arrived at in an ad hoc meeting involving various players at the border last week in the wake of delays and congestion.
He said the previous week had seen long queues of haulage trucks stretching more than five kilometres while some drivers were spending more than five days at the border post due to the short working day in which a lot of documents needed processing.
“As stakeholders we agreed that the long-term solution to the challenges at Chirundu is to let the border operate 24 hours daily. My personal take is that the border needs to open at 0600hrs and close at 2200hrs daily for commercial traffic.
“This would achieve the balance between the need to extend the operational hours and the obvious need to increase staff for both Government departments and Customs clearing agents (shortage of residential accommodation is the major challenge here).
“To achieve this, the law has to be amended and an appropriate recommendation will be made by the association,” said Mr Musariri.
He said they had noted that the main reasons for the resultant congestion included the fact that the Beira Port was becoming more popular than Durban which had also affected the truck turnaround time that has become much shorter resulting in more trips per truck.
“There has been a marked increase in truck fleets. Big truckers had more than doubled their fleet since 2011.
“Furthermore some traffic had diverted from other routes (e.g. Tete and Victoria Falls routes) in preference for Chirundu,” he said.
Mr Musariri said the limited crossing capacity of the bridge was also affecting the movement of cargo.
He said they had also noted that the difficulty in prioritising tankers and open bulk trucks before entry into the Customs Control Zone on the Zimbabwe side of the border coupled with a lack of co-ordinated approach amongst stakeholders was another factor which had turned the situation into near chaos.
He added that a number of stop-gap measures were being introduced to facilitate the speedy flow of traffic.
“Through the joint efforts of SFAAZ, Zimra, VID, ZRP and Immigration, the backlog was contained yesterday through an operation that was intensively executed on Saturday July 6.
“I had the honour of being asked by the stakeholders to chair the ‘crisis’ meetings that we had throughout the period. Ministry of Regional Integration and International Co-operation together with Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials who had visited Chirundu on a different mission were also in attendance.
“By end of day yesterday the situation had almost normalised. All trucks that arrived on Saturday had crossed the border. The remaining trucks numbered less than 50 and had arrived on the same day.
“For the record, 360 trucks (northbound) crossed the border on Saturday 6 July up from 264 that crossed on the 5th and 270 that crossed on the 4th. The average truck movements for the month of June was 223 (north bound) and 221 (south bound),” said Mr Musariri.http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86315:extend-business-hours-at-chirundu&catid=41:business&Itemid=133#.Ud0L7KxSVdg

15 vapositori perish in crash

Peter Matambanadzo in Harare and Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
FIFTEEN church members of the Johanne Masowe weChishanu branch in South Africa died on the spot after their car collided head-on with a bus along the R510 highway in Rusternburg in that country on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred between Northem and Rustenburg while the victims were coming from church. It is reported that the
pick-up truck was travelling towards Johannesburg with 15 people on board including the driver.
According to the church’s international spokesperson, Mr Edward Manyara the worshippers were all based in SA and were travelling from a church gathering in Ndabezitha in KwaZulu-Natal in their Mitsubishi Colt when the fatal accident occurred.
“We are working on repatriating the bodies of our members back home and we expecting all the bodies to arrive tomorrow (today) morning,” he said.
Mr Manyara said relatives of the deceased have since been informed.
He identified the deceased as Andrew Tonderai Dzvairo and his wife Mildred Chimba from Murehwa, Barbsy Marufu from Hwedza, Andrew Mahachi, Stanely Zvichapera and Brian Muzhingi all from Harare, Lucky Takaedza from Mt Darwin, Blessing Zhaware, Blessing Chimbi both from Marange in Mutare, Paida Chiurirayi and relatives Mercia Chiyangwa, Penia Chiyangwa, Pride Chiyangwa from Guruve, Lawrence Mureya from Zvishavane and Evias Mudzamiri from Musana communal lands.
South Africa’s North West Public Safety Department spokesperson, Mr Simon Mmope said among those who were killed were 10 men, two women and three children, aged between 8 and 12 years.
“According to traffic authorities the pick-up truck was overtaking another vehicle when it collided head on with a bus.
“As a result all the people in the truck died on the scene,” he said
Mr Mmope said several passengers from the bus were also injured during the collision.
He said both the injured and the deceased were taken to Rustenburg Provincial Hospital.
Zimbabwe’s Consular General to South Africa Mr Godfrey Magwenzi said in a telephone interview yesterday that the victims had since been positively identified by their relatives though he could not release their names.
He said they had approached their hosts to assist the relatives in repatriating the victims through the Road Accident Fund.
“We have positively identified the 15 victims with the assistance of their relatives.
“We also approached our hosts who offered them (relatives) assistants in repatriating the bodies and other logistical issues.
“The bodies have since been collected for burial in Zimbabwe.
“On behalf of the Zimbabwean Consulate, I would want to express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families on the sudden death of their loved ones.
“At the same time we want to urge motorists to always exercise caution and ensure the safety of the people they will be carrying.
“Some of these accidents are avoidable if will all abide by the basic road regulations.
“It is worrying that we continue to lose lives due to unnecessary road accidents”, said Mr Magwenzi.
The bodies are expected to arrive in the country through Beitbridge border post this morning.
The incident comes a few weeks after 13 Zimbabweans were killed in another road accident between Musina and Makhadho towns in Limpopo province when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in rammed into a stationary truck.
http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85731:15-vapositori-perish-in-crash-&catid=38:local-news&Itemid=131#.UdvN7axSVdg
 and
 http://www.chronicle.co.zw/15-apostolic-sect-members-perish-in-sa-traffic-accident/