local-news-blog

Remember Deketeke

In a harrowing scene that unfolded along Seke Road at Hunyani Bridge near Water Works, 17 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating collision between a 30-tonne haulage truck and a commuter omnibus this morning.

Three people were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital in critical condition.

The accident left the mangled remains of the kombi wedged beneath the massive truck, in what eyewitnesses have described as one of the most disturbing accidents in recent memory.

Although authorities are yet to confirm what happened, the crash is believed to have been triggered by a Honda Fit that allegedly veered into the path of the haulage truck, forcing the driver to swerve into the opposite lane.

In doing so, the truck reportedly collided head-on with the oncoming kombi, dragging and crushing it beneath its heavy frame.

The aftermath has been catastrophic.

Twisted metal, shattered glass, and debris are littering the tarmac as emergency services work frantically to retrieve those trapped.

By the time rescuers arrived, the kombi had been completely flattened, with only fragments of its chassis visible from beneath the truck’s undercarriage.

The road has remained closed as fire and ambulance services continue with their grim task of retrieving bodies and clearing the wreck.

The police are also at the site, working to identify the victims as distraught families begin to gather.

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

Two sales agents appeared in court on Monday, facing charges of fraud and money laundering following allegations that they orchestrated a scheme involving fictitious claim forms to defraud their employer of over US$23 000.

The accused, Wayne Juawo (22) and Jacob Mutambirwa (22), were arraigned before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo.

They were both granted US$200 bail each and are scheduled to return to court on August 28. The complainant in the matter is Goldenclem Credit, represented by the company’s operations manager, Mr Terrence Taka.

Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that between January 2025 and May 2025, Juawo and Mutambirwa allegedly created fraudulent claim forms using the credentials of various civil servants.

These fake claims were fed into the company’s system, resulting in the release of products purportedly to genuine clients.

However, instead of delivering the products to the clients, the duo allegedly converted them to personal use.

To conceal their actions, the accused reportedly deleted the fictitious claim forms from the computer system to prevent salary deductions by the Salary Services Bureau (SSB), which would have flagged the transactions.

The court heard that on July 19, 2025, Juawo was arrested, and a search at his house led to the recovery of several items that had been fraudulently acquired.

These included a headboard, 3 television sets, a solar system, a chainsaw and one partum printer.

The total prejudice suffered by Goldenclem Credit due to Juawo’s actions was US$16 273.

However, goods worth only US$4 000 were recovered. On the same day, Mutambirwa was also apprehended and a search at his house resulted in the recovery of two sofas.

Goldenclem Credit suffered a loss of US$7 717 due to Mutambirwa’s actions and goods worth only US$1 500 were recovered.

The fraudulent scheme cost Goldenclem Credit US$23 990 and only US$5 500 worth of goods were recovered during the investigation.

THE daughter of a man, who won an order to eject his whole family from their home so that he could bring in his lover, burst into tears and tried to attack her father in court yesterday.

The courtroom drama started after he father, Forward Mumango, won an order to eject his entire family from their home and bar them from visiting the family house.

Mumango said he took this drastic decision because his family was resisting his move to bring his lover into the family home.

He claims he was being abused by his wife, Primrose Mumango.

Magistrate Meenal Narotam granted Mumango the protection order and the decision triggered dramatic scenes inside the courtroom.

The couple’s daughter, Tofara, burst into tears shortly after the protection order was granted.

She began hurling insults at her father in court, accusing him of being selfish and cruel.

“How could he do this to my mum?”

“He is just doing this because his girlfriend has manipulated him, he doesn’t care about us.

“He is punishing us for not accepting his new girlfriend,” said Tofara.

Tofara had to be restrained by court officials as she struggled to contain her emotions.

Mumango claimed his wife Primrose was abusing him.

“She is so disrespectful and failing to accept my second wife as part of our family,” he told the Harare Civil Court.

“They are making it impossible for me to live in peace with my new wife.

“I want them out of my house because they don’t want to accept my decision as the father of the house.”

Primrose said she felt betrayed by Mumango.

“He is no longer in his normal senses, he has been manipulated by his girlfriend.

“I am heartbroken by his decision to seek a protection order against me and his plans to evict our children,” said Primrose.

IS there a heatwave that is going to sweep across Southern Africa from today and, according to experts, one of the things to avoid when it hits is drinking alcohol.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that it will be very hot across the country from today until Sunday with temperatures, in other areas, rising to as high as 44 degrees Celsius in Gwanda.

If it hits us, as the experts are predicting, one of the things to avoid is drinking alcohol.

Interestingly, experts say alcohol and caffeine may contribute to dehydration.

The Met Department urged people to stay hydrated.

“Very hot to extremely hot temperatures in the range of 36 degrees to 44 degrees Celsius are expected.

“Many areas in Zimbabwe will be recording high temperatures, with the highest being Gwanda at 44 degrees Celsius,” the Met Department said. Reports said it will also be extremely hot in Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa.

The South African Weather Service issued a weather warning amid reports that a heatwave was set to affect large parts of the country.

Some areas will be affected until, at least, tomorrow.

They include parts of KwaZulu-Natal, north-eastern North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.

There are signs and symptoms related to heat injuries.

These include weakness, seizures, vomiting, nausea, dizziness and cramps.

According to the Word Meteorological Organisation, this year is on track to be the hottest year on record, with the global average near surface temperature even higher than last year.

WMO’s global temperature analysis covers January to September 2024 and is based on six international datasets to provide a consolidated temperature assessment.

The information was provided to UN Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of the UN Climate Change conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

“Today, the World Meteorological Organisation and partners tell us that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year ever recorded,” said Mr Guterres.

“Humanity’s torching the planet and paying the price. “

The scientists said 2024 will also be the first year in which the planet is more than 1.5C hotter than in the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period, when humans began burning fossil fuels on an industrial scale.

Carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal, oil and gas are the main cause of global warming.

In South Africa, they are even giving a few tips of how to deal with the heatwave expected from today:

• Stay well hydrated by drinking a lot of water.

• Keep a close eye on babies, the elderly and children. Ensure they stay well hydrated as well.

• Remember to ensure pets have a cool place to relax and cool, clean water to drink as well.

• Try to keep out of direct sunlight.

• Wear the appropriate clothing and ensure you use sunscreen.

• Limit participation in outdoor activities. If you plan on participating in outdoor activities, ensure you rest and keep well hydrated.

• If you are going to spend time in a pool, ensure your safety and the children around you.

• Ensure that they are supervised while around and in the pool.

• Do not leave children and pets in a vehicle, even with a window open.