Mr Ziphongezipho Ndebele

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO has the largest number of women who beat up their spouses, with congregants from Pentecostal churches leading the number of perpetrators countrywide, a just-released Government study shows.

Given the findings, the city seems to be living up to its moniker — komfazi otshayindoda (where women beat men).

According to the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (2015) about four percent of women countrywide admitted to instigating physical spousal violence.

The survey shows that women in Bulawayo are leading the pack with seven percent followed by Harare with five percent and Midlands with 4,5 percent. It also highlights that the brutalisation of men cuts across denominations with women from Pentecostal churches leading.

About 4,5 percent of Pentecostal congregants bash their spouses followed by those from Protestant churches and Apostolic sects with four and three percent respectively.

The survey also shows that there is a higher percentage of women who instigate violence against their husbands in urban set-ups compared to rural areas.

Women’s violence against men is higher in the age groups 30 to 39 and 40 to 49.

“In the 2015 ZDHS, ever-married women were asked about instances when they were the instigator of spousal violence. Four percent of ever-married women report that they have instigated physical violence against their current or most recent husband and two percent report that they have done so in the past year,” reads the report.

Padare Men’s Forum Matabeleland programmes officer Mr Ziphongezipho Ndebele said the trend has always been there but men are shy to report.

“This has always been happening but men are afraid of reporting. During our research men revealed that when they got to police stations, the cops laugh their lungs out or tease them, hence they don’t report. We have tried to talk to the police but they refuted it. Generally men are afraid ngoba abantu bazabona angani awusondoda (people will think you’re not a real man),” said Mr Ndebele.

He encouraged men and women to desist from acts of violence.

Turning to the latest ZDHS report, Mr Ndebele said it was his first time to hear of such findings adding he was yet to see it to make an informed comment.

“It is my first time to hear of such but what I know is that there are a few reported cases. I assume since they were going door to door, probably men opened up,” he said.

Other key findings of the study are that women aged between 15 and 49 experienced physical violence since age 15 while 15 percent of women have experienced physical violence within the past 12 months.

“For sexual violence 14 percent of women aged 15-49 experienced sexual violence at least once in their lifetime and eight percent experienced sexual violence in the past 12 months.

“Thirty-two percent of ever-married women have experienced spousal emotional violence; 24 percent experienced spousal emotional violence in the 12 months preceding the survey,” reads the report.

Six percent of women who have ever been pregnant experienced violence during one or more of their pregnancies.

“Overall, 35 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 experienced physical or sexual violence from a spouse and of these women, 37 percent reported experiencing physical injuries,” reads the findings.

The survey shows that a majority of physical abuse or sexual violence victims suffer in silence as only 39 percent have sought help.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency says the 2015 ZDHS was conducted nationally with a representative sample of over 11 000 households.

It was a follow up to the 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005 to 2006 and 2010 to 2011 surveys.

Topics covered in the Key Indicators Report include fertility and family planning methods, infant and child mortality, maternal health, child health, HIV issues, domestic violence and maternal mortality.

@AuxiliaK

Whinsley Masara/Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporters
A National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student drowned in the Zambezi River in Binga while allegedly trying to save his girlfriend during a Seventh Day Adventist Church youth camp.

Muzi Tshuma (22), a second year student at Nust drowned while swimming with a group of youths on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at around 2PM in the Zambezi River near Binga centre.

A source at the camp said church leaders had warned the more than 3 000 youths not to get into the water but Tshuma and some friends decided to go for a swim.

“He went into the water trying to save his girlfriend (name withheld) who appeared to be drowning. The girl survived but he went under. The police sub-aqua unit was only able to retrieve his body today (yesterday) after almost 24 hours,” said the source.

The youths are in Binga for a week long annual conference which kicked off last Sunday. “We had been divided into several groups which all set out to different places to engage in recreational activities. Others went for a boat cruise and hiking.

“The other youths who witnessed the drowning had to be attended to by nurses and counsellors to calm them down as they were shocked by the incident,” said the source.

Binga District Administrator, Mrs Lydia Ndethi-Banda, said the body was retrieved at around 1 PM by a sub-aqua team that arrived in the district on Wednesday night.

“The SDA youths are camped at Binga High School. He (Tshuma) was swimming with his friends when he drowned and the body has just been retrieved,” said Mrs Ndethi-Banda yesterday afternoon.

Sources said his father, Phanson Tshuma, who is the headmaster of Solusi Adventist High School, had been informed of the tragic news. They said he had since arrived in Binga from his rural home.

Nust director of information and publicity, Felix Moyo said the university had been informed of the drowning.

“We’ve received information that one of our students drowned in Binga,” said Mr Moyo.

A comment could not be obtained from the church’s head office as they are closed for holidays.

Due to increasing drowning incidents, police have constantly urged people not to play in or near water bodies.

In a statement recently, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said cases of drowning normally increase during the rainy season. “Members of the public should desist from swimming or playing near water bodies. We discourage the public from attempting to cross flooded rivers as they risk drowning or being attacked by crocodiles,” said the police spokesperson.

- @winnie_masara/ -@andile_tshuma.

Mr Reward Kangai

Takunda Maodza, Harare Bureau
FIRED NetOne manager Mr Reward Kangai reportedly caused the installation of base station towers at relatives’ homes for them to enjoy lucrative rentals from the parastatal. In some instances the beneficiaries are said to have received huge payments in advance, it has emerged.

A forensic report released recently indicates one of the beneficiaries, Ms Joyce Kangai of Goodhope, Harare is Mr Kangai’s aunt, .
NetOne has a standard template for lease agreements with landlords on which it builds base station towers.

“We noted a memorandum dated 3 March 2014 in which Mr Wenga (a NetOne employee) was requesting Mr Kangai to approve the acquisition of a base station site for Stand 103 Goodhope, Harare. Mr Kangai referred the approval to other NetOne directors citing that Ms Kangai was his aunt and thus he was unable to approve the acquisition. NetOne, represented by Mr Tarupuwa, entered into a lease agreement on 20 March 2014 with

Ms Kangai noted as the lessor on the agreement,” states the forensic report.

The tenure of the agreement is 10 years.

“Total rentals throughout the lease were calculated to be $60 000. As of December 2015, Ms  Kangai had been paid $12 000. From our review of the NetOne board minutes for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2015, there is no evidence that Mr Kangai declared his relationship with Ms Kangai to the board. It would have been appropriate for Mr Kangai to refer the approval of the lease agreement to the board rather than have his subordinate authorise the transaction,” the auditors said.

In some instances NetOne reportedly paid landlords on which it installed base stations rentals in advance.

An example is when one of the landlords, only identified as Ms Marongwe, wrote a letter to NetOne requesting a rental pre-payment of two years.

The request was granted.

“According to the letter, there were urgent family matters that needed immediate attention. NetOne made a payment of $16 500 to Ms Marongwe on 22 September 2015. Out of this amount, $6 000 was for rental up to September 2015. The remaining $10 500 was a prepayment for the 21 month period from 1 October 2015 to 30 June 2017,” it stated.

Mr Kangai approved the transaction.

In a similar fashion, Mr Kangai approved an advance payment of $27 000 on April 30 2013 to Pastor Eugene Nyathi of the Avondale Christian Church.

This was despite the fact that the lease agreement had no provisions for prepayments.

Richwood Park Paraplegic Club was also paid $12 000 of which $9 600 was prepayment beyond the 12 months stipulated in the lease agreement.

Several other landlords were also paid the same way.

The report further notes that NetOne engaged two companies, Telsite Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Tower Resources (Pvt) Ltd, to secure base station sites on its behalf. Telsite was engaged to secure sites in Harare while Towers Resources secured in several towns and cities around the country.
“In the period under review, NetOne had no policy or procedure in place for the engagement of such third parties,” further reads the audit report.

The two companies were also engaged without following procedures and paid thousands of dollars. NetOne also installed base station towers in Harare without approval of council, earning the parastatal close to $100 000 in regularisation fines.

Had NetOne followed due process the costs would have been minimal. “NetOne would begin construction of a base station tower within Harare without having obtained approval from City of Harare. The City of Harare would then request NetOne to pay a regularisation fee which was pegged at $1 050 per site. We requested for a list of sites where a regularisation fee was paid during the period January 2009 to 31 December 2015,” reads the audit report.

NetOne furnished the auditors with 80 sites “and RTGS transfer instruction from NetOne to the City of Harare amounting to $75 600 and retained $8 400 as withholding tax”. Says the audit report: “The payment details stated that the funds were regularisation fees. Mr Boker Masasi (land management manager at City of Harare) said had NetOne obtained proper authorisation from City of Harare before construction, a fee of $230 per site would have been paid compared to a $1 050 regularisation fee. As a result of not following the City of Harare authorisation procedures, NetOne paid $65 600 as penalty fees. At the time of reporting, Mr Masasi was yet to confirm whether these were the only sites for which NetOne paid regularisation fees during the period 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2015.”

The Kangai administration has since been fired.  Mr Kangai is, however, challenging his dismissal at the High Court where he is seeking an order to compel his former employer to institute a disciplinary hearing against him.

Deputy Minister Aldrin Musiiwa

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE Government’s freeze on recruitment is compromising public health with a single doctor being overloaded by about 250 000 patients, a cabinet minister has revealed.

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Cde Aldrin Musiiwa said the low doctor-patient ratio in the country was very worrying.

“Well, in terms of ratio it is 0.0792 per 1 000 population. To put it more simply, we’ve got less than one doctor for every 250 000 people. The ideal ratio would be to have at least three doctors per every 1 000 patients,” said Cde Musiiwa.

Cde Musiiwa was responding to a question by MDC-T legislator Gift Chimanikire on the doctor to patient ratio in the country and what the Government was doing to address it.

“Our response at the moment is that we’re actually training enough doctors for the country. We’re lobbying Treasury to allow us more posts so that we can employ more doctors.We’re training enough doctors and if we have enough posts we should be able to have the required ratio,” said Cde Musiiwa.

He said the country was churning out about 360 doctors every year but the problem was retention of the practitioners.

“Once we graduate and deploy  these doctors in the system, we lose a lot of them both to the region and internationally.

“Although the replacement rate is okay, we’re not retaining enough doctors in the country. So, until we’ve enough money in Treasury to create more posts, it’s going to take some time to reach the required ratio,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said the Government has provided accommodation and vehicle loans to junior doctors in a bid to retain them.

“At the moment, our salaries compared to those paid in the region and abroad are much lower. Until our economic situation improves, it’s going to be very difficult,” said Cde Musiiwa.

“However, what we’ve done as a Ministry in respect of junior doctors, is to provide accommodation within the institutions where they work at low rentals. We’ve also provided vehicle loans as a way of retaining them.”

MP Chimanikire further asked Cde Misiiwa to state the number of trained graduate nurses who are unemployed and what remedial action the Ministry was taking to ensure that the training programmes are of economic value.

“At the moment, we’ve about 3 150 registered general nurses who have graduated and are out of employment.

‘‘Besides that, we also have 1 100 primary care nurses who have also graduated and are awaiting employment,” said Cde Musiiwa.

A Majority of cases of negligence in hospitals that have resulted in patients dying have been blamed on doctors and nurses’ fatigue.

—@AuxiliaK

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
POLICE have launched a manhunt for a Bikita man who struck his wife with a machete and left her for dead and killed his 12- year-old stepdaughter with the weapon after accusing his wife of  infidelity.

Police said Crispen Mukozho of Mugorogodoi Village under Chief Mukanganwi attacked his family in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

Villagers said he acted like he was possessed as he grabbed a machete and frenziedly struck his wife Ms Margaret Mutikizizi (39) repeatedly on the neck, chest and back.

Mukozho, they said, left his wife for dead and rushed into a bedroom hut where his stepdaughter was sleeping with her nine-year-old brother.

He allegedly struck the girl on the chest with the machete and she died on admission to Silveira Mission Hospital hours after the attack.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the police had stepped up investigations.

He said the girl’s body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem while the mother is admitted to the same hospital where her condition is said to be critical.

“We’ve received a report of murder from Bikita where a man killed his stepdaughter after an argument with his wife,” said Asst Insp Dehwa.

He said on Monday at around 8:30 PM the family retired to bed.

Villagers said in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, Mukozho started accusing Ms Mutikizizi of infidelity saying he doubted he was the father of the couple’s son.

They said a heated argument that could be heard at neighbouring homesteads ensued.

They said the noise died down briefly before Mukozho attacked his wife.

Mr Rafael Moyo, from a nearby homestead, said Ms Mutikizizi sustained a broken right arm, deep cuts on the neck, back and chest.

He said the woman screamed for help thereby attracting the attention of the couple’s nine-year-old son who rushed to the scene only to find his mother lying in a pool of blood, groaning in pain.

Unfazed, he said, the emotionally charged Mukozho stormed into the children’s bedroom hut still armed with the machete.

“The girl who had remained sleeping screamed but Mukozho was undeterred and struck her on the chest.

“Sensing more danger, the girl fled but collapsed about 100 metres from the homestead.

“The boy rushed to inform a neighbour Mr Dambudzo Janyure (40) who came to the scene and found the victims in pools of blood but Mukozho had disappeared,” said Mr Moyo.

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
TWO men in prison for murder and robbery allegedly beat their cellmate to death with their bare hands at Khami Medium Remand Prison in an argument over salt.

Thulani Ndlovu (26) and Butholezwe Ndawana (24) allegedly punched and strangled Vengai Mudzembe (45) who they said had forcibly taken salt from them in the holding cells.

The fatal assault allegedly occurred after lights-out on Wednesday.

Wardens discovered the body during a roll call when Mudzembe failed to respond when his name was called.

It could not be established why the inmates had salt in their cells and also why  Mudzembe was in prison.

An official from the prison who declined to be named said the trio had a fallout on Wednesday at about 6PM.

The official said Ndlovu and Ndawana ganged up against Mudzembe and overpowered him.

“Mudzembe demanded salt from one of the inmates who he was sharing a cell with. The other guys refused with the salt and a fight broke out.

Ndlovu allegedly choked Mudzembe while Ndawana punched him in the face,” said a source close to the investigation.

He said after killing Mudzembe, the duo covered him with blankets to make it look like he was sleeping.

“The prison officer on duty  asked why Mudzembe was not waking up at about 8AM and upon checking he discovered that the inmate was dead.

His cellmates initially said he could have died in his sleep,” said a source.

“Police were called in to investigate when prison officers discovered Mudzembe’s face was swollen and he had marks on his neck that suggested he may have been strangled.”

The source said after interrogation, Ndlovu and Ndawana confessed to killing Mudzembe.

“Ndlovu said as he battled to strangle Mudzembe, Ndawana was punching him in the face. Ndlovu and Ndawana are dangerous criminals facing murder and robbery charges,” said the source.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.

However, she said The Chronicle would have to contact the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) for details.

“For more details you can contact the ZPCS officials but I can confirm that we received a murder case that occurred at Khami prison involving inmates,” she said.

Matabeleland Regional ZPCS spokesperson Garainashe Moyo could not be reached for comment as his cellphone was not being answered.

— @nqotshili

Travellers wait for long distance transport along Harare Road in Bulawayo yesterday

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
Most long distance public transporters have doubled fares, a traditional practice during the festive season.

The transporters have defied a directive from Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo not to hike fares during the festive season.

The ministry has over the years threatened to cancel permits for defiant transporters but it seems the transporters have realised that it is just an empty threat.

Travellers, especially those commuting to the rural areas have appealed to the authorities to intervene and stop public transporters from fleecing them taking advantage of the increased demand for transport.

Minister Gumbo confirmed receiving complaints from members of the public and once again warned transporters against increasing fares.

He said his ministry was working closely with the police to deal with the transport operators who have increased fares in response to increased demand for transport.

“I know that some transport operators have hiked fares taking advantage of the festive season. I want to warn them that the police are out in full force to deal with them,” said Minister Gumbo.

Asked what action his ministry would take against transporters, he said:

“As the ministry we issue permits with stipulated fares for specific routes. It’s the mandate of the police to then apply the law. We’re working closely with the police to make sure that travellers are not shortchanged,” said Minister Gumbo.

He said police officers are checking ticket books at roadblocks and verifying with passengers to make sure that they paid the stipulated fares.

The Minister also warned transport operators against over-working drivers, saying it was one of the main causes of accidents.

“Transport operators have a tendency of forcing their drivers to work extra hours resulting in fatigue which is blamed for many of the accidents during public holidays.

“We’re also working with the police to make sure that all transport operators have route permits and follow their time tables,” said Minister Gumbo.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they were monitoring the situation.

A snap survey conducted by The Chronicle revealed that Nkayi-bound travellers, who usually pay  $7 from Bulawayo, are being forced to fork out up to $15 while those travelling to Lupane from Bulawayo are paying $10 up from $5.

Passengers travelling to Gwanda are parting with $10 instead of the usual $5.

Those travelling to Masvingo were yesterday afternoon paying $15 up from $8 and those going to Victoria Falls were paying $25 instead of $13.
Public transporters said the increase in the number of police roadblocks on the country’s highways during public holidays forces them to hike fares to cater for fines and bribes.

“We’re no longer making profit because police officers are milking us at roadblocks. This affects our business and we’ve no option but to increase fares so that after paying the fines we are left with something,” said Mr Liberty Mkhwananzi, who plies the Bulawayo-Gwanda route.

Mr Patrick Dube, who owns Green Horse Bus Company, however, said his buses were sticking to the old fares this festive season.

“I’ve buses that transport people from Bulawayo to Gwanda, Beitbridge, Lupane and Binga. We didn’t increase fares and we’re not planning to do so. We know that people don’t have money.

“I therefore encourage other transport operators to stick to their fares and stop taking advantage of travellers,” said Mr Dube.

A transporter who declined to be named                                                boasted that police and the ministry would never cancel permits.

“That has been their chorus for years and we all know it’s an empty threat,” said the bus operator.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) is working with the police to curb road traffic accidents this festive season.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said they had embarked on a campaign to remind motorists to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations.

“Our campaign targets both motorists and travellers. We want to remind motorists that it’s their duty to protect their lives and the lives of passengers. We discourage speeding and encourage drivers to adhere to all traffic rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

“The campaign is also meant to inform passengers that they can call us or report at any roadblock if the driver is putting their lives at risk by speeding or breaking traffic rules and regulations,” said Insp Simango.

She warned travellers against hiking from undesignated pick up points, saying they risked being robbed.

—@pamelashumba1

Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A 15-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo boy stole more than $2 000 from his father, bought his friends clothes to host an All-White vuzu party with expensive beer, a court heard.

A vuzu party is usually a wild celebration by youths where they abuse drugs and alcohol.

Teenagers at these shindigs also engage in unprotected sex orgies.

The boy’s father is based in the UK and visited his family for the holiday.

The juvenile, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons, is a Form One pupil at Nkulumane High School and resides in Nketa 7 suburb.

He appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndhlovu charged with unlawful entry committed in aggravating circumstances and theft.

The teenager allegedly broke a cash box containing the money and disappeared from home for about eight days while he squandered the cash.

His father had been saving it to build a house.

The teenager also allegedly stole clothes from his parents’ landlord.

The boy pleaded guilty and Mr Ndhlovu initially remanded him out of custody to Friday but his father refused to take him home saying he could steal from him again.

The court was forced to remand the boy in custody but at Percy Ibbotson Remand Home.

In a warned and cautioned statement, the boy admitted that he stole the money.

“I took my father’s money. I used the money to buy clothes and beer for the party which was meant to spoil my friends,” said the boy.

For the State, Ms Margaret Takawira said: “On an unknown date, the juvenile broke a locked safe where his father kept the money.

‘‘The minor’s father is based in the United Kingdom and had visited his family for the holidays.”

She said the boy stole $2 200 and went on a spending spree buying his friends clothes and also sponsoring a party.

Ms Takawira said the father who wanted to use the money to buy building materials, was keeping the money in a locked cashbox in his bedroom.

The court heard that on December 9 the boy’s father opened the safe and discovered that only $300 was left.

When his mother confronted him, the boy confessed to stealing the money and squandering it with friends.

On the second count, the minor after returning from the vuzu party allegedly stole another $100 from his father and disappeared from home.

The teen’s father later reported him to the police leading to his arrest.

The total value of stolen cash is $2 300 and only $220 was recovered.

@andile_tshuma

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A Chivi man who lost a fight in Grade Six, 11 years ago, took revenge by stabbing his rival to death.

Innocent Dube (23) of Befura Village allegedly stabbed Simbarashe Dziva (30) of Mliswa Village multiple times on the head, chest and abdomen with a home-made knife at Hoko Bottle store, at Ganyani business centre in Shurugwi on Thursday night.

Dube who is now on the run, allegedly flew into rage when he saw Dziva who he said often teamed up with his family members to bully him during his school days.

Witnesses said after the attack, Dziva staggered out of the bottle store while bleeding profusely from the stab wounds.

They said he wobbled for about 60 metres and collapsed.

Onlookers rushed him to Gweru General Hospital on Friday morning but he died later in the day while on a life support machine.

A businessman who is the owner of the bottle store, Mr Winterton Muvembi said Dube fled from the scene immediately after committing the crime and is still at large.

He said on a Thursday night, Dube saw Dziva who was watching a snooker game in his bottle store.

“The two had an argument and we initially thought it was about money,” said Mr Muvembi.

He said the argument heated up and Dube stormed out of the bottle store, locking it from outside.

“The enraged Dube hurled insults at Dziva threatening to kill him. He said Dziva and some of his family members had bullied him when he was in Grade Six. He said he was going to fix Dziva for beating him in a fight,” said the businessman.

Dube, Mr Muvembi said, ran away and returned a few minutes later armed with a knife.

“He confronted Dziva and I gathered courage to stand between the two as Dube appeared menacing,” said Muvembi.

He said Dube stormed out of the bottle store, picked up a stone, took aim at Dziva but missed.

Mr Muvembi said at this juncture he also scurried for cover leaving Dziva at the charging Dube’s mercy.

Dube, the businessman said, stabbed Dziva once on the head, three times on the chest and once on the abdomen before he took to his heels and disappeared in the dark.

“After realising that Dziva was seriously injured, I attempted to render first aid together with other shocked patrons. He however, asked me to let him go outside as he did not want to die inside the building.

“He staggered away but collapsed about 60 metres from my bottle store. I phoned police but they didn’t respond until I called the deceased’s relative in Harare.

“The relative organised transport and we rushed Dziva to Gweru General Hospital at around 3AM the following day but he died hours later while on life support,” said Mr Muvembi.

His body was taken to the hospital’s mortuary for post-mortem.

Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende could neither confirm nor deny the incident.  “We’ve not yet received the report, you can check with me on Wednesday, ” said Asst Insp Mukwende.

@walterbmswazie

Buses overtake a heavily laden vehicle on approaching a curve near Esigodini recently. Police have warned that speeding and human error are the major causes of road traffic accidents during the festive season

Crystabel Chikayi, Chronicle Reporter
SIXTEEN people were killed on Christmas Day this year in 106 road traffic accidents recorded countrywide while 45 others were injured.

The deaths represent a 400 percent increase from four who died last year when 64 others were injured in 81 accidents.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said most of the accidents were as a result of human error.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to inform the nation that 16 people died in 16 fatal road traffic accidents that were recorded on December 25, 2016 compared to four people who died in 2015. Of the 16 people who perished, 14 people died in accidents that were as a result of speeding while two were caused by overtaking errors,” said Supt Nyathi.

He said no major fatal road accidents were recorded on the country’s highways.

“Most fatal road traffic accidents involved pedestrians who were trying to cross roads. We can reveal that most of the accidents involved private vehicles and most of the accidents occurred at night indicating that speeding at night is unsafe,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He said police arrested 6 855 motorists for various traffic offences, down from 7 017 last year.

Chief Supt Nyathi said 90 defective vehicles were impounded this year.

He appealed to road users to exercise extreme caution while on the road in order to reduce accidents that continue to claim human lives and property.

“Police are concerned with the loss of human life on roads. Therefore drivers are urged to be cautious and consider the conditions of the road particularly wet surfaces and pot holes. They should avoid speeding and be on the lookout for pedestrians as they travel either on highways or feeder roads. This includes residential areas,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He said it should be everybody’s responsibility to tame the traffic jungle and reduce accidents.

@cchikayi

Wynne Zanamwe, Midlands Reporter
A Lower Gweru man allegedly killed his cousin by stabbing him on the neck with an Okapi knife in a fight over an empty beer bottle.

Police have arrested Herbert Ncube (28) of Mbombela Village for allegedly killing his cousin Velile Ncube (21) of Plot 44 Ruby Resettlement Ranch, Lower Gweru.

Herbert is expected to appear in court today.

The incident occurred on December 23 at a tuckshop where the cousins were drinking beer with Josiah Matarutse and Tinashe Moyo after slaughtering a cow to celebrate Christmas.

A source close to investigations said: “After slaughtering the beast, the four went to a local tuckshop to play snooker and drink beer. At around 5PM, a misunderstanding arose between Herbert and Velile over an empty beer bottle. Matarutse and Moyo thought it was petty and went home, leaving the cousins still arguing,” said the source.

It is suspected Herbert lured Velile out of the tuckshop and stabbed him on the neck.

Villagers who saw Herbert leave the tuckshop said he strolled away in such a manner that no one suspected he had killed his cousin.

Herbert, the source said, arrived home at around 10PM and started shouting at Matarutse, Moyo and his aunt Skhumbuzile Ncube.

“He showed them his bloodied hands and a blood-stained silver knife with two blades. His T-shirt was drenched in blood. He said he would kill anyone who did not take him seriously,” said the source.

The source said Herbert later produced Velile’s phone as proof that he was a killer and handed it to Moyo.

Relatives who spoke on condition of anonymity said Herbert ordered Moyo and Matarutse to get an ox-drawn cart ready to collect the beast they had slaughtered in the afternoon.

“Herbert was crying throughout the  journey. When they arrived they gave the deceased’s phone to his mother, Lenithah Ndlovu, who asked the whereabouts of her son. Herbert said they had left him at a tuckshop at Ruby Resettlement Ranch,” said a relative.

A passerby found Velile’s body in a pool of blood the following morning.

He had been stabbed on the neck with a knife and police arrested Herbert.

Efforts to get a comment from the Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko were fruitless as he was said to be out of office while his mobile phone went unanswered.

@wynnezane

Queens Park Police Station Constables Tinos Muparuri and Venancia Chibvongodze with some of the recovered 50kg bags of rice the Government is distributing as part of food aid yesterday

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A BULAWAYO man was arrested on Christmas Day after he was found with five tonnes of rice suspected to be stolen drought relief food.

Police found Simbarashe Mushava (33) with 103 bags of 50kg rice at his home in Queens Park West which is suspected to be part of the rice donated to Government by the Chinese government.

Social welfare officers in the city are cracking their heads over where Mushava got the rice, which is about four times more than what they have distributed to the vulnerable people in the city just before Christmas.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed Mushava’s arrest and said investigations were underway to establih the source of the rice.

She said detectives swooped on Mushava on Christmas Day as he was relaxing at home.

“He was arrested following a tip off from members of the public. We want to commend members of the public for continuously assisting us with information,” she said.

Insp Simango said Mushava was in custody assisting police with investigations.

Bulawayo provincial welfare officer Mr Taurai Mpofu said police informed him about the stolen rice.

“We distributed just about 1,3 tonnes of rice just before Christmas in the city so I don’t know where he got such large quantities from. What I know is that police officers are trying to establish that,” said Mr Mpofu.

He however said some of the donated rice was being delivered direct to either constituencies or wards.

The rice was donated by the Chinese Government and is supposed to benefit vulnerable members of the public under the Government’s drought relief programme.

The same rice has been donated to hospitals, prisons and other institutions catering for the needy throughout the country.

@nqotshili

A fire tender and Zimra personnel outside the warehouse which caught fire in Beitbridge yesterday

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars was destroyed when a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) warehouse caught fire yesterday at Beitbridge Border Post.

The incident occurred at around 5AM.

Border authorities yesterday said the cause of the fire was yet to be established but, however, said the building was not damaged.

They said disposable diapers and blankets were among an assortment of goods, which were in the anti-smuggling State Warehouse near the northern exit gate.

“We suspect the fire was a result of an electrical fault or poor ventilation.

“A security official who was patrolling near the area saw some smoke coming from the building and went to investigate. He summoned other stakeholders who called the disaster response team and the fire was contained,” said an official.

Travellers were among the people that assisted in putting out the fire.

The source said the disaster response team and members of the public managed to salvage some of the blankets and goods.

Officials from the Ports Health Department took samples of the debris to verify if the fire was a result of a chemical reaction since the warehouse is poorly ventilated.

Under the country’s customs laws, goods seized from exporters or importers for non compliance or those pending payment of duty are kept in the State warehouses.

Zimra’s Head of Communications, Mr Canisio Mudzimu was not answering his mobile phone yesterday.

The officer commanding Beitbridge district, Chief Superintendent Francis Phiri said police were still investigating the cause of the fire.

“We’ve called in electricians from the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority to look into the issue. We will know the exact cause of the fire in due course,” he said.

The incident comes a few months after another State Warehouse was in July looted and burnt by hoodlums calling themselves Combined Beitbridge Residents Association.

The thugs were demonstrating against the implementation of statutory instrument 64, which removed specified goods from the open general import licence (OGIL).

A total of 71 people were arrested in connection with the incident which resulted in 35 cars in and around the State Warehouse being burnt.

In November 2014 property worth millions of dollars went up in flames when the main Zimra Warehouse caught fire under unclear circumstances.

Though the revenue authority set up a crack team to look into the matter, results are yet to be released.

Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A MAN from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb who was caught red-handed draining oil from a Zesa transformer at Mpilo Central Hospital, has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Ricky Jones was convicted on his own plea to stealing oil worth $60 by Mr Tinashe Tashaya.

Jones who said he wanted to use the oil to treat gum poles he intended to sell to raise money to fend for his children, was sentenced to 10 effective years in prison.

Mr Tashaya said draining oil from the transformer or vandalising electricity infrastructure attracts a mandatory 10-year jail sentence.

Prosecuting Mr Leonard Chile said on December 4, at around 3PM, an anonymous person saw Jones draining the oil and alerted the security guards.

Mr Chile told the court that the three security guards proceeded to the place but Jones had already left.

“The trio followed him and when he realised that the security guards were following him, he dropped a carrier bag which contained tins that had the oil and ran away,” he said.

Mr Chile said the security guards gave chase and managed to apprehend Jones before handing him over to police officers at the hospital’s police post.

The total value of the oil stolen is $60 and all was recovered.

Power utility Zesa Holdings reported that it lost about $30 million worth of equipment due to vandalism and theft in the 18 months between January 2015 and June 2016.

The vandalism resulted in interruption of power supply in the country, which is already grappling with power shortages.

Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company managing director Engineer Julian Chinembiri said about $15 million worth of equipment was vandalised. An equivalent value in potential revenue was also lost as a result.

Eng Chinembiri said a total of $10 million in potential revenue was lost last year and in the half-year to June half of that amount is believed to have been lost due to the interruptions caused by vandalism and theft.

Unscheduled power cuts, due to theft and vandalism are reportedly costing the country millions of dollars more in lost production time.

@cynthiamthembo1

Jah Prayzah

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army has warned those wearing or selling replica military uniforms that they risk being arrested and prosecuted.

ZNA spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore said yesterday that the army is working with the police to guard against the abuse of military regalia.

He said the practice endangers civilians as it has resulted in a number of armed robberies by criminals wearing clothes resembling military uniforms.

There is a growing fashion trend of wearing replica army camouflage, especially among youths, inspired by celebrities like Jah Prayzah, Sniper Storm, Rihanna, Kanye West and Jay Z.

Lt Col Makotore said it was unlawful to sell or wear any military regalia whether from Zimbabwe or any other country.

“The ZNA has noted with grave concern that there is increased proliferation in the selling and wearing of military regalia, especially camouflage replicas by members of the public. Resultantly there has been an increase in the number of armed robberies by criminals wearing clothes resembling military uniforms or replicas of camouflage.”

“It’s against this background that the ZNA wishes to advise traders and members of the public that it’s unlawful to sell and wear any military regalia or replica whether from Zimbabwe or any other country,” said Lt Col Makotore.

He said the police would arrest culprits found wearing or in possession of military uniforms using the standing statutes and cause their appearance before the courts of law for prosecution.

He added that only those who have sought permission from the ZNA to use military regalia will be spared from prosecution.

“Regarding artistes who perform while putting on army uniform, be advised that the wearing of any army uniform or decorations for purposes of any bonafide, stage film, television production or military representation is an offence in terms of the Defence Act.

“The artistes should seek authority from Army headquarters to do so. Apart from this provision, the same section also prohibits any member of the public from putting on any military regalia,” said Lt Col Makotore.

“The definition of army uniform means any article or articles of wearing apparel and includes a badge, button, braid or insignia worn with association of any particular item or items of clothing and a tie,” said Lt Col Makotore.

The Defence Act, Col Makotore added, also provides that any person, who without authority wears and uses any decoration supplied to or authorised for use by any member of the Defence Forces or other military forces or any decoration as to be likely to deceive, shall be guilty of an offence.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendant Paul Nyathi said the police will not hesitate to arrest culprits violating the law.

“The law is clear and it will take its course. When people abuse these uniforms it confuses members of the public and makes them vulnerable to criminals.

“I want to discourage people from selling and buying them whether locally or outside the country because it’s illegal,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

Local boutiques made a killing this festive season with camouflage printed outfits which sold like hot cakes.

The owners of the shops attributed the frenzy to contemporary musician Jah Prayzah, saying he is the main influence behind the craze.

Jah Prayzah and his team wear military regalia when performing at music shows.

Jah Prayzah’s manager Mr Keen Mushapaidze said the artist has permission to wear army regalia.

“We’re brand ambassadors of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) and we do have permission to wear military regalia. Some countries allow people to wear military uniforms but some don’t. I’m not sure what the Zimbabwean law says but we always encourage our fans to be law abiding.

I’m sure people didn’t know.

“It’s not true that this craze has been triggered by Jah Prayzah. People have always been attracted to military attire,” said Mr Mushapaidze.

Various social media platforms have been awash with pictures of people clad in camouflage, especially this festive season.

A joke making rounds on whatsApp reads: “The way people are wearing camouflage, one is forced to think its Defence Forces Day not Christmas.”

In April this year, Metron Chongani Makamba of Bangala Ranch, Chiredzi, who was part of gang that wore army and police uniforms to commit robberies, was sentenced to an effective 63 years in prison.

@pamelashumba1

Mrs Cecilia Alexander

Felex Share, Harare Bureau
THE Government is working on modalities to mobilise money to pay 2016 bonuses for civil servants following the rejection of a proposal to substitute bonuses with residential stands.

Civil servants declined a Government proposal to offer them residential stands in place of bonus, insisting on being paid in cash.

Our Harare Bureau has it on good authority that civil servants representatives, who met Government negotiators last week, declined the offer saying “it came too late when bonus was due.”

The workers said they would consider the stands proposal for the 2017 bonus.

This has forced the Government to go back to the drawing board and the Ministries of Finance and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare are now working on ways to see how the bonuses will be paid.

A highly placed Government source confirmed the development yesterday.

“We tabled that proposal during the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting held last week and the workers said for now they were expecting money in the bank not residential stands,” said the source.

“They said they would only consider that proposal next year and we had no option but to take back the matter to the Finance Ministry. The Ministry is now seized with the matter and is working in consultation with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to ensure what was promised is fulfilled.”

The Government recently introduced a residential stands scheme for civil servants as part of the employer’s non-monetary incentives to workers.

More than 121 000 civil servants have registered for the scheme, but the number is expected to balloon as the Government is taking on board every worker.

The implementation of the project is expected to begin next month.

Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecelia Alexander, yesterday said they had rejected the Government’s proposal to settle the 2016 bonuses with residential stands.

“After a national budget analysis, which indicated the heavy borrowing by Government, the Government negotiating team came and proposed that they pay the bonuses in kind that is through residential stands,” she said.

“The proposal came a bit late because bonuses are now due and the stands have not yet been serviced. The proposal is good in future when stands are ready to be allocated. For now the workers have rejected that proposal and demanded that the bonuses be paid in cash.”

The Government, which is yet to pay some civil servants their December salaries, has been facing challenges in mobilising money.

Sources said given the challenges, payment of the 2016 bonuses would be staggered as was the case last year.

Some workers got paid their 2015 bonuses mid this year.

President Mugabe has assured the workers that despite the low revenue inflows, the Government would still pay bonuses as per tradition.

The Government has been facing challenges in raising money to pay civil servants salaries and bonuses and proposals are being made to rationalise the workforce.

Meanwhile, teachers received their December salaries yesterday with the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) fuming over the Government’s failure to pay the 2016 bonuses on time.

Teachers who constitute the biggest number of civil servants, said they expected to be paid their 13th cheque together with the December salaries.

Zimta president Mr Richard Gundane said teachers were very disappointed by the Government’s failure to pay them the promised bonuses this year.

“Teachers whose families didn’t enjoy Christmas this year, feel shortchanged by the Government’s failure to fulfil its promise to pay the bonuses,” he said.

Mr Gundane said the teachers’ morale was at its lowest ebb and there was a need by the Government to motivate its workers through fulfilling promises.

“The issue of bonus payment has to be addressed urgently to demonstrate that the Government is sensitive to the plight of its workers.

“It’s not in dispute that the said bonus is a right in this country. The Government has reaffirmed its position in previous engagements.

“It’s on record and it’s in the public domain. What becomes confusing is the lack of clarity on the implementation,” said Mr Gundane.

Chris Mitsho Dube

Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A 34-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo con artist posed as a Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officer and allegedly duped four people of $700.

Chris Mitsho Dube of New Luveve suburb allegedly convinced even his wife of two years that he worked at the VID.

He appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndhlovu charged with fraud.

He pleaded not guilty to four counts of fraud and the magistrate remanded him in custody to January 3 for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Brian Nkala said Dube was reported by four of the many people that he has defrauded, leading to his arrest.

On the first count, he allegedly told a Lupane State University student, Mr Nowell Mpofu, that he could process a driver’s licence for him without going through the normal channels.

“On December 23 this year, at Luveve suburb, the accused person approached the complainant and indicated that he was a VID officer. He said he could acquire a driver’s licence for the complainant in his absence. He asked for a processing fee of $200,” said Mr Nkala.

The complainant later discovered that he was not a VID employee and reported the matter to the police.

The money was not recovered.

On the second count, Dube approached Ms Sheila Ncube of Emakhandeni suburb sometime in October and told her that he had acquired a food caravan at work and was renting it out.

“The accused person approached the complainant on October 18 and misrepresented that he had a food caravan to let at Entumbane complex. Ms Ncube made a payment of $60 and they agreed to meet at the complex,” said the prosecutor.

A week later Dube switched off his phone and avoided Ncube, who then proceeded to report the matter to the police. The money was not recovered.

In another case, Dube misrepresented to a Nust student Ms Nicola Sibanda that he could get her a driver’s licence in her absence. He allegedly said he was a VID officer stationed in Bulawayo.

Mr Nkala said: “The accused person demanded the complaint’s provisional licence and an initial payment of $50.”

The court heard that Sibanda was later advised that Dube was not a VID employee and she reported him to the police.

Dube was arrested when he had already used the money and groceries worth $40 were recovered.

On the fourth count, Dube allegedly lied to Mr Puluso Dube, a pastor who resides in Gwabalanda suburb, that he was selling an auctioned Honda Fit for $500. He received a down payment of $310 from Dube before he disappeared.

After failing to contact Dube, the pastor filed a police report.

Cases of bogus VID officers are on the increase as some people seek shortcuts to get driver’s licences.

In August, police arrested Maxwell Mutsikiwa (40) a general hand at the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) Victoria Falls after he issued counterfeit certificates of competence to 30 people  whom he charged $300 each.

— @andile_tshuma

A cervical screening exam

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
ONLY 13 percent of Zimbabwean women have had a cervical screening exam in a country where the disease is the leading cause of deaths in women, statistics from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) show.

Nationally, 79 percent of women report that they have heard of cervical screening which can detect the disease early while it is still treatable but only 13 percent have ever had a cervical exam.

“Cervical cancer screening via the Papanicolau (Pap) test or the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera (VIAC) are effective for detecting early abnormal or cancer cells in the cervix and uterus. The Pap and VIAC tests are recommended for women from the time they become sexually active,” says the report.

“Among those who report having a cervical exam, 90 percent report having the exam in the last three years and 66 percent had their cervical exam within the last 12 months.”

The report says women in urban areas are three times more likely than their rural counterparts to report ever having a cervical exam (21 percent and seven percent, respectively).

“Women in Harare (24 percent) and Bulawayo (21 percent) have the highest percentages of women who report ever having a cervical exam, and women in Manicaland have the lowest percentage (six percent). As education and wealth increases, so does the likelihood of a woman having a cervical exam,” reads the report.

Statistics from a study carried out in 2012 by the Zimbabwe cancer registry shows that cervical cancer is the most dominant type in women with a prevalence of 32 percent.

Mrs Junior Mavhu of the Cancer Association in Zimbabwe said cervical cancer remains a prevalent disease though it is treatable.

“Cervical cancer does not present any signs and symptoms unless at an advanced stage hence the need to have women going for the exams. Its symptoms can only be detected during an exam and all women must ensure they undergo tests,” said Mrs Mavhu.

“If all women got examined early cervical cancer would not kill many women as it is doing now.  For a country like Zimbabwe, it is cheaper for us to prevent than treat cervical cancer.”

According to the National Cancer Prevention and Control Strategy for Zimbabwe 2014-2018 more than 5 000 new cancer cases are diagnosed (all types) in Zimbabwe annually.

“Experience has, however, shown us that this is just the tip of an iceberg as many cancers are not captured by the routine National Health Information System because patients do not present themselves for treatment, or some deaths are not registered.

“Of those who do report, the majority are already at an advanced stage of the disease due to limited access to screening services,” read the strategy.

The cancer treatment and palliation services are unable to meet the existing demand.

“Additionally, and despite great progress in reducing HIV prevalence in recent years, Zimbabwe remains one of the countries most heavily burdened with HIV with an adult prevalence rate of 15%. The large number of people living with HIV results in an even higher number of people who will develop cancer.”

The report says the number of people developing cancer is expected to increase due to HIV/Aids and other infections, unhealthy lifestyle choices and an ageing population.

“The majority of cancers present at an advanced stage when management is more costly and treatment outcomes are poorer. This is mainly due to lack of access to early detection (screening and diagnosis) compounded by human and material resource constraints and general lack of awareness.
Zimbabwe only has two functional public health centres offering diagnostic and treatment facilities for cancer.

Mrs Mavhu said the two institutions are Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

“The other institution offering the same services is a private one in Newlands,” said Mrs Mavhu.

She said patients as a result incur a lot of transport, food and accommodation costs to seek services in either Bulawayo or Harare.

“Limited availability of resources, including chemotherapy medicines, opioid analgesics and cancer control skilled manpower further compromise patient care in the country,” reads the cancer strategy.

— @thamamoe

The United Bulawayo Hospitals where Nkosilathi Khuphe is admitted

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A MINE-owner in Gwanda is lucky to be alive after his former employee allegedly ganged up with three men to kidnap, torture and shoot him in both legs before driving away in his car.

The gang is still at large.

Narrating his ordeal from his hospital bed at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) yesterday, Mr Nkosilathi Khuphe (24) of Koodsvale Farm Stampmill, Mopane, said one of the bullets is still lodged in his thigh.

He said Obvious Chinhoyi of Phakama suburb — his former worker, called him on Tuesday morning claiming he had about 200 grammes of gold that he wanted to sell.

“Within 30 minutes of receiving the call, I arrived at Abe Mine turn-off along Gwanda-Beitbridge Road where we had agreed to meet,” said Mr Khuphe.

He said he found Chinhoyi already waiting and got out of the vehicle to speak to him.

“Before I said anything, Chinhoyi whistled and three men emerged from the nearby bush and attacked me. They removed my shoes and used the laces to tie my hands and feet,” he said.

One of the suspects has since been identified as Telmore Dube while the other two are still unknown.

Mr Khuphe said two of the men produced guns and the gang demanded $20 000 to “spare his life.” He said he pleaded with the men not to shoot him.

“The guys looked vicious and merciless. I told them I had no money on me but I could get the money from a friend. I feared they would shoot me and leave me to die in the bush,” said Mr Khuphe who appeared to be in pain.

He said they covered his eyes and mouth with tape before bundling him into the boot of his Honda Accord.

“I told them to go to Maphani Business Centre where I would collect the money. Instead of going straight there, they drove to a white man’s place, who they also intended to rob,” he said.

Mr Khuphe said the white man is known as Mr Bronson and once there, the gangsters disembarked from the vehicle and went to the house.

“They left the car a few metres away from the house. I untied my hands, picked a hammer that was in the boot and started to bang on the sides of the car.

“They were furious as they rushed back to the car. They re-tied my hands and threatened to shoot me for scaring Mr Bronson away,” said Mr Khuphe.

He said the gang forced him to drive the car to avoid suspicion as it was broad daylight.

“They cursed me for making them lose what they called a big jackpot at Mr Bronson’s,” said the businessman.

Mr Khuphe said he drove to a friend, Mr James Mpofu.

He said he asked for money from him with the two men pressing their guns into his ribs from the back seat.

“I tried to use sign language to show my friend all was not well but he failed to comprehend. He said he could only give me $1 300,” said Mr Khuphe.

He said the gang was livid as they drove away with the money.

Mr Khuphe said they threatened to shoot him if he did not raise $20 000.

“I suggested that we go to my brother’s place for more cash. Upon arrival I used signs to show his mine manager that I was being robbed,” he said.

He said the mine manager said they should go to a point where there was network to make a call for someone to bring the money.

“The gang accompanied us. As I walked next to one of the armed guys, I tripped and he thought I wanted to run away.

“The two fired at me from point blank and the first shots missed me. They both fired again and this time they shot me on both legs, ” said Mr Khuphe.

The businessman said the gang jumped into his car and sped off.

Police recovered the vehicle a few kilometres from the scene on the following day.

UBH acting chief executive officer, Mr Norman Sobhuza, yesterday said Khuphe underwent surgery on Wednesday and the first bullet was removed.

“We will remove the remaining one today,” said Mr Sobhuza.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the armed robbery.

He said no arrests had been made by yesterday afternoon and investigations were underway.

— @winnie_masara

Pastor Petunia Chiriseri

Nqobile Tshili, Features Correspondent

SENIOR Pastor Pertunia Chiriseri of His Presence Ministries International is one of the few accident victims who lived to tell her tragic story after miraculously escaping death following a crashing accident that claimed her husband’s life on September, 16.

She escaped death with punctured lung, broken ribs and   knee following the accident that killed her husband Apostle Charles Chiriseri on the spot.

Snr Pastor Chiriseri was left unattended for about five hours raising public concerns over post-crash rescue reactions from emergency services.

“I sustained multiple injuries and it took five hours before I received attention, and I was bleeding internally. The first people to arrive at the scene were onlookers who were attracted by the big bang when the car finally landed on its roof. I could have died alone in the bush because no one knew how many people were in the car,” said Snr Pastor Chiriseri.

The accident occurred along the Bulawayo-Harare Road in Mbembesi, about 35KM from Bulawayo.

The Mbembesi stretch has become a death trap for many motorists due to the high prevalence of livestock on the roadside.

The Government working with traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is working to fence the Bulawayo-Gweru stretch as a way of preventing livestock from straying into roads causing accidents.

The fencing of the highway has been welcomed by motorists but it is clear that this will not stop road accidents.

The police have said most accidents are caused by human error.

The motorists said fast reactions by emergency services will play a major role in saving lives during post crash incidents.

However, people like Snr Pastor Chiriseri could have died due to the delays by the emergency teams in attending to her.

Motorists said the Government should put measures that ensure ambulances and fire brigade teams could respond in time to save people’s lives.

Mr Ignatius Ndlovu from Bulawayo’s Romney Park suburb who escaped death in November said his car crashed and he did not know which emergency line to contact.

He said the country does not have a well advertised emergency line that people can call if tragedy befalls them.

“What is our emergency line, for America we know that its 911 but what is the country’s emergency line that one can contact following an accident or any disaster so that we could be attended to in time?” quizzed Mr Ndlovu.

“It’s important for motorists to know the emergency lines so that in case of mishaps rescue teams can attend them as soon as possible.”

Another motorist, Mr Gugulami Katsholo saidalthough it is inevitable for accidents to occur accident but reaction to them can change the fate of mishap victims.

He said for example Bulawayo Fire Brigade Department and Ambulance services are known to travel 100KM to attend to accident victims.

“Can you imagine you’re in Shangani and an accident occurs where victims need to be taken to a hospital. There are no ambulance services from within toattend to accidents scenes. Most of the time rescue teams come from Bulawayo. We’ve heard of cases where people could have survived but their chances of surviving diminish due to distances and delays in attending to them,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson who said his fire ambulance department is under pressure as it is supposed to serve almost the whole Southern part of the country during accidents.

“In most cases you’ll find out that in major incidents involving a bus or a kombi where they’re many casualties we’ve to respond as far as Plumtree to assist them.

“Along Victoria Falls Road we’ve to respond as far as Hwange…in Harare road we respond up to Shangani by sometimes we go beyond Shangani assisting Gweru if they want our services,” said Mr Peterson.

“It’s very unfortunate that the whole southern region depends on Bulawayo for emergency response. I do agree lives could be saved other could be lost because we delayed going there because of the distance. In accidents people bleed and if they lose too much blood they eventually die. But if the distance was shorter we could be able to save that life,” said Mr Peterson.

Mr Peterson said the Ministry of Local Governance, Public Works and National Housing through its civil defence department has set up plans to set emergency teams in major high way centres along the high way.

“Ministry of Local government’s civil defence might be taking longer, but it has been planned that growth points like Shangani, and areas like Mbembesi have emergence response team. The response time will be shorter for instance if an accident happens in Ntabazinduna if you’ve emergence team stationed in Mbembesi will be approximately 10 minutes instead of waiting for a team from Bulawayo,” said Mr Peterson.

Deputy Director of the Civil Protection Unit Ms Sibusisiwe Ndlovu confirmed that her department was working on plans to have emergency responses substations in centres along the major Highways.

She, however, said funding remains the biggest challenge for this saying as far as she is concerned nothing will change in 2017.

“It’s part of our long term plans, it’s not something that we’re likely to do in 2017. I don’t see it happening in the foreseeable future,” said Ndlovu,highlighting that economic challenges remain their biggest strain.

TSCZ managing director Mr Obio Chinyere said his office has also received may concerns regarding the post-crash accident reactions.

“This is a concern we get from many motorists countrywide. We’re working with other stakeholders who are in a better position to address this problem,” said Mr Chinyere.

Hence, high prevalence of accidents on the country’s highways and local routes calls for motorists to exercise extreme caution for the avoidance of avoidable accidents.

Meaning motorists should ensure they abide by the rules of the road, make sure their vehicles are roadworthy.