By Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Town Council has completed construction of state-of-the-art truck port that seeks to decongest the border post and the central business district of heavy vehicles.
Civil works began last year and the truck port has the capacity to handle over 200 trucks at any given time.
The traffic passing through Beitbridge border post border daily is heavy and at peak can surpass 3 000 vehicles.
In an interview yesterday, the Town Secretary, Dr Sipho Singo, said the truck port was racking in an average of R50 000 per month.
He said they were working on resurfacing the ground in the truck port arena.
"The truck inn is doing very well — we have managed to flush out all the heavy vehicles which were causing unnecessary congestion around the town and border post.
"In fact we are getting an average of R50 000 from the truck port and we are looking at interlocking it before the end of this year.
"You will realise that this is an international border which has high volumes of traffic and hence we need to control the movement especially commercial vehicles.
"In the near future we want to attract the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to do the customs clearance from the truck port so as to avoid the congestion at the border post.
"Another advantage is that they can twin the clearance of trucks and imported vehicles from one point since the truck port and the Export Processing Zone are close to each other.
"We have managed to buy some earth moving equipment, which will be delivered anytime this month and these will be used to resurface and maintain some of our damaged roads.
"The road network system is a very important aspect of our development programme because of the nature of traffic we handle as a border town," he said.
He added that they would also be installing traffic lights at seven strategic points across the town to effectively control the movement of both human and vehicle traffic.
Dr Singo said they would spend US$7000 on the traffic lighting project.
He said apart from traffic lights, the local authority was about to complete the installation of six tower lights around the town’s crime hot spots.
"As a new developing council, we have to work very hard to spruce up the town’s outlook since it is the preface to anyone coming into the country through South Africa.
"We also want to improve on street lighting and security for both the residents and other travellers. We expect the tower lights to be fully functional by the end of this month.
"To ensure that almost of the areas around the town are safe, we have cleared the bushes as a starting point," said Dr Singo.
The town secretary said they were in the midst of courting more private partners to implement other developmental project as part of their public private partnership initiatives.
Beitbridge border post was granted town status in 2006 at the instigation of the National Economic Development Priority Programme (NEDPP).
published by the Herald 07 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Highway robber convicted
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
AN armed robber whose gang is targeting motorists along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway has been thrown behind bars for an effective 10 years for robbing a South African of valuables worth R12 150.
The robber who was identified as Masunda (30) of Number 609 Dulibadzimu pleaded not guilty to four counts of armed robbery when his trial opened recently.
However, the town’s regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu, convicted him on the strength of evidence presented by the prosecution.
Mr Tagu slapped Masunda with 12 years in jail, but set aside two years for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Charges against Masunda arose on April 18 this year, at around 3am, when the complainant was travelling from South Africa to Harare along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway.
His vehicle developed a mechanical fault about 40 km from the border town prompting him to park at a nearby lay-bye.
However, on the same day Masunda was patrolling the area in the company of his two accomplices, Tanaka Jana and Webster Mawere, who are still at large, robbing motorists on lay-byes along the highway.
The three were travelling in a Mazda 323 registration number ABH4994.
They spotted the complainant fixing his car at the lay-bye and accosted him.
Masunda produced a pistol, while Jana and Mawere were armed with iron bars.
They ordered their victim to lie down while they ransacked his vehicle. They stole 10 000 Zambian Kwacha, 75 litres of petrol and clothes all worth R12 150.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
AN armed robber whose gang is targeting motorists along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway has been thrown behind bars for an effective 10 years for robbing a South African of valuables worth R12 150.
The robber who was identified as Masunda (30) of Number 609 Dulibadzimu pleaded not guilty to four counts of armed robbery when his trial opened recently.
However, the town’s regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu, convicted him on the strength of evidence presented by the prosecution.
Mr Tagu slapped Masunda with 12 years in jail, but set aside two years for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Charges against Masunda arose on April 18 this year, at around 3am, when the complainant was travelling from South Africa to Harare along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway.
His vehicle developed a mechanical fault about 40 km from the border town prompting him to park at a nearby lay-bye.
However, on the same day Masunda was patrolling the area in the company of his two accomplices, Tanaka Jana and Webster Mawere, who are still at large, robbing motorists on lay-byes along the highway.
The three were travelling in a Mazda 323 registration number ABH4994.
They spotted the complainant fixing his car at the lay-bye and accosted him.
Masunda produced a pistol, while Jana and Mawere were armed with iron bars.
They ordered their victim to lie down while they ransacked his vehicle. They stole 10 000 Zambian Kwacha, 75 litres of petrol and clothes all worth R12 150.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Zim braces for surge in border traffic flow
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
The Department of Immigration is geared for the increase in traffic expected to pass through Beitbridge Border Post during this year’s festive holidays.
In an interview last week, the officer-in-charge of Beitbridge (Southern Region), Mr Charles Gwede, said they had come up with a host of measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
Mr Gwede said they had requested for additional 15 staffers from less busy stations in anticipation of the human and vehicular traffic surge coming into and leaving Zimbabwe.
The department has a staff complement of 55 at Beit-bridge.
"At the moment, we are operating on four shifts and with effect from the 10th of December until the 16th of January next year, we will suspend all off and leave days.
"Immigration officials from Zimbabwe and South Africa have agreed to implement a similar clearance programme to ensure the speedy flow of traffic.
"The police will also be engaged to assist in maintaining order and providing queue marshals at all clearing points.
"More immigration clearing cubicles will be opened outside the main immigration hall if we have more traffic.
"Past experience has shown that most industries in South Africa have their annual shut down from December 10 and hence we need to be equal to the task."
He said they would separate traffic into pedestrians, buses, commercial, tourists and private motorists. Presently all these are cleared at the same counters.
"On average we clear between 1 500 and 2 000 people per day and clear about 15 000 during holidays," said Mr Gwede.
Immigration and police patrols have been beefed up to clamp down on crime. Mr Gwede said the presence of touts was fuelling corruption and scaring away tourists.
Government declared Beitbridge Border Post, a security zone in 2004 and the National Taskforce on Image, Communication and Tourism adopted a zero tolerance for crime.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
The Department of Immigration is geared for the increase in traffic expected to pass through Beitbridge Border Post during this year’s festive holidays.
In an interview last week, the officer-in-charge of Beitbridge (Southern Region), Mr Charles Gwede, said they had come up with a host of measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
Mr Gwede said they had requested for additional 15 staffers from less busy stations in anticipation of the human and vehicular traffic surge coming into and leaving Zimbabwe.
The department has a staff complement of 55 at Beit-bridge.
"At the moment, we are operating on four shifts and with effect from the 10th of December until the 16th of January next year, we will suspend all off and leave days.
"Immigration officials from Zimbabwe and South Africa have agreed to implement a similar clearance programme to ensure the speedy flow of traffic.
"The police will also be engaged to assist in maintaining order and providing queue marshals at all clearing points.
"More immigration clearing cubicles will be opened outside the main immigration hall if we have more traffic.
"Past experience has shown that most industries in South Africa have their annual shut down from December 10 and hence we need to be equal to the task."
He said they would separate traffic into pedestrians, buses, commercial, tourists and private motorists. Presently all these are cleared at the same counters.
"On average we clear between 1 500 and 2 000 people per day and clear about 15 000 during holidays," said Mr Gwede.
Immigration and police patrols have been beefed up to clamp down on crime. Mr Gwede said the presence of touts was fuelling corruption and scaring away tourists.
Government declared Beitbridge Border Post, a security zone in 2004 and the National Taskforce on Image, Communication and Tourism adopted a zero tolerance for crime.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Car accident claims two on highway
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Two people died on the spot when the driver of a vehicle they were travelling in tried to avoid hitting a cow and lost control resulting in them veering off the road and overturning.
The accident happened at the 233km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway at around 5am last Friday.
Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said the bodies were taken to Beitbridge District Hospi-tal mortuary.
He identified the victims as Sydney Mushekisi (32) of Murehwa and Ananisai Hove (37) of Duliba-dzimu in Beitbridge.
"The Mitsubishi twin-cab was travelling from Masvingo towards Beitbridge with four people on board.
"Three of them were members of the same family. When they got to the 233km peg the driver saw a cow in his way and tried to avoid hitting it.
"As a result, the vehicle swerved to the right and the driver lost control.
"It then veered off the road and overturned once killing, Sydney Mushekisi instantly.
"Ananisai Hove sustained serious head injuries. The other two occupants, including the driver, escaped unhurt.
"The matter was reported to police and we rushed Hove to Beitbridge District Hospital where she was pronounced dead on admission," he said.
published by the Herald 1 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Two people died on the spot when the driver of a vehicle they were travelling in tried to avoid hitting a cow and lost control resulting in them veering off the road and overturning.
The accident happened at the 233km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway at around 5am last Friday.
Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said the bodies were taken to Beitbridge District Hospi-tal mortuary.
He identified the victims as Sydney Mushekisi (32) of Murehwa and Ananisai Hove (37) of Duliba-dzimu in Beitbridge.
"The Mitsubishi twin-cab was travelling from Masvingo towards Beitbridge with four people on board.
"Three of them were members of the same family. When they got to the 233km peg the driver saw a cow in his way and tried to avoid hitting it.
"As a result, the vehicle swerved to the right and the driver lost control.
"It then veered off the road and overturned once killing, Sydney Mushekisi instantly.
"Ananisai Hove sustained serious head injuries. The other two occupants, including the driver, escaped unhurt.
"The matter was reported to police and we rushed Hove to Beitbridge District Hospital where she was pronounced dead on admission," he said.
published by the Herald 1 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Senator donates to vulnerable children
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Beitbridge Senator Tambudzani Mohadi (Zanu-PF) has donated exercise books to orphans and vulnerable children at Dulibadzimu Primary School.
The donation last Friday was a follow-up to a pledge she made to the school during this year’s Heroes Day celebrations. The school has an enrolment of 1 400 pupils and is one of the biggest primaries in Beitbridge.
It caters for 200 orphaned children, most of whom can’t afford to buy exercise books and other essentials.
"We know that most of you would say politicians always make promises that they cannot deliver.
"This is meant to silence all the pessimists. As a local representative of the district in the Upper House, I have undertaken to work tirelessly towards assisting all educational institutions in my constituency.
"Currently, Government is faced with a number of challenges in revamping the economic sector including the education system, and hence we need to be innovative and complement each other. I also want to urge former students and other stakeholders to work together with school authorities in assisting each other where necessary."
She called for greater effort to be put into promoting local languages in schools.
"There is a need to promote indigenous languages in line with Government policy.
"Let me commend Dulibadzimu Primary School for the sterling work they are doing in promoting the local Venda culture through extra-curricular activities."
Cde Mohadi, who was attired in traditional Venda dress, was particularly impressed by Dulibadzimu Primary pupils who sung the national anthem in Venda.
She handed over US$100 to Mr Samuel Mulaudzi, the local Venda language co-ordinator, for his efforts in the development of the curriculum for schools in Beitbridge District.
Vice school development committee chair, Mr Mokibelo Makhurane, thanked Cde Mohadi for her donation, saying it would go a long way in addressing the plight of the underprivileged children at the school.
Published by the Herald 24 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Beitbridge Senator Tambudzani Mohadi (Zanu-PF) has donated exercise books to orphans and vulnerable children at Dulibadzimu Primary School.
The donation last Friday was a follow-up to a pledge she made to the school during this year’s Heroes Day celebrations. The school has an enrolment of 1 400 pupils and is one of the biggest primaries in Beitbridge.
It caters for 200 orphaned children, most of whom can’t afford to buy exercise books and other essentials.
"We know that most of you would say politicians always make promises that they cannot deliver.
"This is meant to silence all the pessimists. As a local representative of the district in the Upper House, I have undertaken to work tirelessly towards assisting all educational institutions in my constituency.
"Currently, Government is faced with a number of challenges in revamping the economic sector including the education system, and hence we need to be innovative and complement each other. I also want to urge former students and other stakeholders to work together with school authorities in assisting each other where necessary."
She called for greater effort to be put into promoting local languages in schools.
"There is a need to promote indigenous languages in line with Government policy.
"Let me commend Dulibadzimu Primary School for the sterling work they are doing in promoting the local Venda culture through extra-curricular activities."
Cde Mohadi, who was attired in traditional Venda dress, was particularly impressed by Dulibadzimu Primary pupils who sung the national anthem in Venda.
She handed over US$100 to Mr Samuel Mulaudzi, the local Venda language co-ordinator, for his efforts in the development of the curriculum for schools in Beitbridge District.
Vice school development committee chair, Mr Mokibelo Makhurane, thanked Cde Mohadi for her donation, saying it would go a long way in addressing the plight of the underprivileged children at the school.
Published by the Herald 24 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Monday, November 22, 2010
Irrigation expansion nears completion
| Beitbridge Bureau Chief Work on the expansion of the River Ranch Irrigation Scheme in Beitbridge’s Ward 6 is nearing completion following a cash injection by Government. Councillor Joseph Itani Muleya on Tuesday said most of the equipment — including irrigation pipes, fencing and cement — had been bought. The project is being expanded from 10 hectares to 41,5 and will accommodate 80 plot holders. River Ranch Irrigation Scheme was established in the early 1970s and is owned by the community and run by Government through the Beitbridge Rural District Council. Clr Muleya said two blocks had been completed to accommodate 40 plot holders on the new extension and original project. Construction of a water reservoir and laying of pipes on 30ha are complete and engineers are working on fencing 1,5ha. A new pump has been mounted and draws water from Umzingwane River. "The plot holders are working with officials from the departments of Irrigation and Agriculture Extension in the project. "We hope that by the end of the farming season the project will be functioning to capacity," he said. Clr Muleya said maize and wheat were the major crops on the scheme and farmers would this year venture into horticulture. He said plans were afoot to erect an electric fence to protect crops from wildlife. The expansion started in September 2006 but was progressing at a snail’s pace due to an acute shortage of resources. An extension officer said the irrigation scheme was being funded through the Smallholder Micro-irrigation Develop-ment Support Programme, which is a bilateral agreement between the Euro-pean Commission and Government. The EC has contributed 125 000 euro so far while Government and the farmers should contribute 25 percent of the money needed to capacitate irrigation schemes in the province. It was not immediately clear how much money has gone into the River Ranch scheme. Published by the Herald 18 November 2010 www.herald.co.za |
Hut blaze claims 4 family members
Beitbridge Bureau Chief
Four family members from the Madlambuzi area of Plumtree, among them toddlers aged three and one-and-a-half years-old, were on Monday night burnt to death when the bedroom hut they were sleeping in caught fire.
The incident occurred close to midnight in Maseha Village under Headman Senganyo.
Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South, Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said they were still investigating the matter.
He said a Plumtree magistrate had waived post-mortems.
Insp Dzirutwe identified the deceased as Agalucia (35), Polite (28), Gertrude (three) and Nkosinomusa Phiri (one-and-a-half).
"Preliminary investigations reveal that one of the huts at the homestead was undergoing repairs and some thatching grass was removed.
"It was put in the hut where the four were sleeping. The two adults were mentally challenged.
"They did not put out a cooking fire in the hut when they went to bed. We believe the grass caught fire and the hut was soon ablaze.
"A 66-year-old neighbour noticed the fire at around 6am and by then it was too late," he said.
Police took the charred bodies to Plumtree Government Mortu-ary. The incident comes a few months after an 84-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy were burnt to death when their bedroom hut caught fire in the same area.
Published by Herald , 5 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
Four family members from the Madlambuzi area of Plumtree, among them toddlers aged three and one-and-a-half years-old, were on Monday night burnt to death when the bedroom hut they were sleeping in caught fire.
The incident occurred close to midnight in Maseha Village under Headman Senganyo.
Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South, Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said they were still investigating the matter.
He said a Plumtree magistrate had waived post-mortems.
Insp Dzirutwe identified the deceased as Agalucia (35), Polite (28), Gertrude (three) and Nkosinomusa Phiri (one-and-a-half).
"Preliminary investigations reveal that one of the huts at the homestead was undergoing repairs and some thatching grass was removed.
"It was put in the hut where the four were sleeping. The two adults were mentally challenged.
"They did not put out a cooking fire in the hut when they went to bed. We believe the grass caught fire and the hut was soon ablaze.
"A 66-year-old neighbour noticed the fire at around 6am and by then it was too late," he said.
Police took the charred bodies to Plumtree Government Mortu-ary. The incident comes a few months after an 84-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy were burnt to death when their bedroom hut caught fire in the same area.
Published by Herald , 5 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
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