*FOR DAILY NEWS UPDATES* *_Join our Group:_* https://chat.whatsapp.com/EQFa8axjqYiLc7BiUKVuAW *TO ADVERTISE WITH WAZO ADVERTS* *_WhatsApp:_* wa.me/263776804293 *_We have a market reach of over 400,000 Zimbabweans._* — — — — — — — — — — — — *_MORNING NEWS | 27 FEBRUARY 2025_* *1.* Zinara introduces tollgate express lanes – No fees, no waiting in line for exempt vehicles *2.* Harare’s traffic light crisis – Half of city’s signals out of order *3.* Increased sex work activity in Bulawayo’s CBD unsettles residents *4.* Judge laments increase in GBV cases *5.* Chinhoyi vendors claim bribery and favouritism in demolitions *6.* ZiG month-on-month inflation rate recedes to 0,5% – ZimStat *7.* Popular Chitungwiza pastor rapes congregant (aged 14) then prays for her and gives her morning-after pills *8.* Gweru residents urged to track budget and council accountable *9.* Zimbabwe could clear arrears with bold reforms, World Bank says *10.* Zanu PF politburo member clashes with mining partner *11.* UN Human Rights Council – Zimbabwe hailed for abolishing death penalty *12.* Mother asks court to help stop her son’s gambling addiction... Claims that he is wasting himself with his betting obsession *13.* Epworth man (aged 63) rapes 3 minors *14.* Chinese man dupes Harare man US$6,300 and another US$3,500 in cryptocurrency deal *15.* Police bust fraud syndicate *16.* Gweru man brutally axed then smashed with a brick for refusing to buy beer *_FULL ARTICLES BELOW_* _[Note: These News Articles were Compiled and Distributed by Wazo Adverts. Source is Credited at the End of Each Article.]_ 1. *ZINARA INTRODUCES TOLLGATE EXPRESS LANES – NO FEES, NO WAITING IN LINE FOR EXEMPT VEHICLES* Zimbabwe has introduced express lanes for vehicles that are exempt from tollgate fees allowing them not to wait in line. The new system will be tested for legislators and government officials at three tollgates: Skyline, Dema, and Eskbank, before being rolled out nationwide. Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda shared the news, confirming that the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara) had set up express lanes for exempt government vehicles. “I wish to inform the House that ZINARA has introduced express lanes to Government exempted vehicles at selected tollgates; starting with a pilot programme at Skyline, Dema and Eskbank tollgates,” Mudenda said. He clarified that to use the express lanes, vehicles must be fitted with an e-tag. The new lanes are wider and clearly marked as ‘Express Lanes.’ The e-tag will be scanned automatically, allowing the tollgate boom to open without the need for payment. “The infrastructure has been established featuring extra wide detour lanes designated as ‘Express Lanes’. To use the express lane, vehicles must be equipped with an e-tag which will be scanned by the system. Once detected, the boom banner will automatically open,” Mudenda explained. Mudenda also informed legislators that the Zinara team will visit the new Parliament Building on February 26 and March 5, 2025, to install the e-tags. “Please note that express lanes will not have a cashier on duty. In line with this, the ZINARA team will visit the new Parliament Building on the 26th of February and 5th of March 2025 from 0900 hours to 1600 hours for the installation of the e-tags,” Mudenda advised. He also revealed that each legislator would have two vehicles registered under their name that are exempt from paying tollgate fees. “All Members of Parliament are encouraged to bring their two exempted vehicles along with their registration books for this installation exercise. Kindly note that failure to have electronic tags installed on exempt vehicles may cause significant inconvenience when passing through the tollgates,” Mudenda said. In 2020, Zinara resolved to exempt government-issued traditional chiefs’ vehicles from paying tollgate fees while motorists living within a 10km radius of the tollgate are given a single discounted pass daily. *_-iHarare_* 2. *HARARE’S TRAFFIC LIGHT CRISIS – HALF OF CITY’S SIGNALS OUT OF ORDER* Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has revealed that the city is facing a severe shortage of functioning traffic lights, with only half of the approximately 200 traffic signals operational. According to Mayor Mafume, the breakdown of traffic lights has resulted in chaos on the city’s roads, compromising the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike. The mayor’s admission comes as concerns mount over the city’s infrastructure, which has been plagued by years of neglect and underinvestment. The lack of functioning traffic lights is not only a nuisance but also a safety hazard, as motorists are often forced to navigate busy intersections without the guidance of traffic signals. Mayor Mafume has pledged to address the issue, but the challenge is significant, with many of the city’s traffic lights in need of repair or replacement. The situation highlights the need for urgent investment in Harare’s infrastructure to ensure the safety and efficiency of the city’s transportation systems. More details to follow… *_-AfroGazette_* 3. *INCREASED SEX WORK ACTIVITY IN BULAWAYO’S CBD UNSETTLES RESIDENTS* Residents of Ward 1 in Bulawayo’s Central Business District (CBD) are voicing concerns over the growing presence of sex workers between 8th and 9th Avenue and along Lobengula Street. As dusk falls, the area, usually home to citizens working hard during the day, transforms into a hub of open solicitation. This has led to feelings of insecurity among CBD residents, especially at night. The sex workers are reportedly using explicit language and dressing provocatively, which some residents believe negatively impacts young people. There is concern that exposure to such behaviour might influence children, leading them to adopt inappropriate language or normalise certain behaviours, potentially affecting their social development. Speaking to CITE Youth Hub, a Ward 1 resident named MaMpofu said that as a mother, it is heartbreaking to see sex workers lingering in her community. She said: _As a mother, it’s heartbreaking to see sex workers lingering around our residential area, exposing my children to a world they’re not ready for._ _It’s not just about morality; it’s about safeguarding their innocence and ensuring they grow up in a safe and healthy environment._ MaMpofu also said that some local lodges have become hotspots for sex work, which is damaging the reputation of the community. A college student living in a CBD flat expressed similar concerns, saying they feel unsafe after 6 p.m. because people often mistake them for a sex worker. Residents are also worried about the young age of some sex workers, fearing this could lead to a rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in the community. *_-Pindula_* 4. *JUDGE LAMENTS INCREASE IN GBV CASES* Chinhoyi High Court Judge Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi has bemoaned the prevalence of gender-based violence and urged society to revive traditional conflict resolution mechanisms while involving family elders, the church, and counseling groups to prevent such tragedies. She said the growing trend of people abandoning traditional mediation methods of resolving domestic disputes, opting instead to take the law into their own hands ,as misguided. The judge made these remarks while sentencing a 54-year-old Zvimba man, Bernard Kufakunesu, to 15 years in prison for the brutal murder of his seven-month pregnant ex-wife, Viola Chitsinde. “Gender-based violence is escalating at an alarmingly rapid rate,” said Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi. “Society has turned a blind eye to the wisdom of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms.” The judge went on to stress the importance of involving community pillars such as family elders, the church, and other counseling organisations in settling conflicts. She underscored her point with a poignant vernacular proverb, “Vatete vachabvepi”—a rhetorical question lamenting the absence of these vital mediators in modern society. The court found Kufakunesu guilty of murder with constructive intent after he strangled Chitsinde with an electric cable. The fatal incident happened on October 29 last year, when Chitsinde, who had been estranged from Kufakunesu, approached him to demand money for a medical scan. Chitsinde’s lifeless body was later discovered several kilometers from Kufakunesu’s home. The couple’s four-year-old son, Bernard Kufakunesu Junior, became the key witness in the case. On the morning after the murder, the boy recounted the harrowing events in vivid detail to his teacher, whose testimony, corroborated by police investigations, proved pivotal. Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi accepted the boy’s account alongside other unchallenged evidence, which secured Kufakunesu’s conviction. In her sentencing, Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi condemned the accused’s actions, emphasising the aggravating factors, including the victim’s advanced pregnancy and the long-standing pattern of domestic abuse that characterised their relationship. She dismissed Kufakunesu’s defence, which sought to paint the killing as unintentional and a result of mutual combat. Kufakunesu had claimed that a dispute over financial matters escalated into a physical altercation, during which Chitsinde was accidentally strangled by an iron cord. He further alleged that Chitsinde had walked away alive into the night, a claim the court rejected as implausible. The court also addressed the ripple effects of Kufakunesu’s violence, noting the psychological scars inflicted on the young boy who witnessed the crime and lost the stability of his family. In sentencing Kufakunesu to 15 years, the court balanced mitigating factors, such as his partial payment of lobola, against the severity of his actions. Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi declared the punishment fitting. *_-Herald_* 5. *CHINHOYI VENDORS CLAIM BRIBERY AND FAVOURITISM IN DEMOLITIONS* Chinhoyi Municipality conducted a significant clean-up operation last week in the Central Business District (CBD) and high-density areas, targeting what officials termed “illegal structures” used by street vendors. The municipal police have since initiated a follow-up effort, as some vendors continue to resist the demolitions, forcing them into open spaces. Many vendors have raised concerns about what they see as selective enforcement, claiming that structures owned by influential political figures and members of the Indian community have been spared. They suggest that bribery may be at play, allowing certain properties to remain untouched while others face demolition. The demolitions have left hundreds of vendors without income, leading to widespread despair. Agnes Zarimba, who operated a food stall for five years, expressed her devastation after her “street kitchen” was destroyed. “The municipal police are heartless. They destroyed all my business tools, and I couldn’t save anything,” she lamented. Another vendor, Benard Munondo, lost his grocery shop during the operation. A former employee of the Cold Storage Commission, he voiced his frustration: “After being laid off without benefits, this is too much to bear.” Chinhoyi Council spokesperson Tichaona Mlauzi defended the municipality’s actions, stating that the goal is to formalize vending operations. He urged the public to report any instances of bribery involving council officials, insisting that the council strives to act fairly. Investigations revealed that some properties, such as the Latif & Partners Magaba complex, were not affected by the demolitions. Mlauzi warned that future phases of the operation would target illegal structures on private premises, emphasizing that no one would be spared. The ongoing crackdown has sparked significant discontent among vendors, who feel unfairly targeted and left without viable means to support themselves. *_-AfroGazette_* 6. *ZIG MONTH-ON-MONTH INFLATION RATE RECEDES TO 0,5% – ZIMSTAT* The month-on-month inflation rate has tumbled to 0,5%, giving strong signals of a positive inflationary outlook in the year ahead, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) reported Wednesday. The stats agency said the inflation rate for the local unit tumbled to 0.5% in February 2025, shedding 10.0% on the January 2025 rate of 10,5% implying that prices as measured by the all items ZiG CPI, increased by an average of 0.5% from January 2025 to February 2025. “The ZiG month-on-month Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages inflation rate was 0.8 percent in February 2025, shedding 6.0 percentage points on the January 2025 rate of 6.8 percent while the month-on-month non-food inflation rate was 0.3 % shedding 4,3% on the January 2025 rate of 4,6%,” said Zimsat. Market watchers have credited the latest recovery to the tight Monetary Policy stance pursued by monetary authorities but warned that such economic trends could be signals of deeper problems in the economy such as reduced productive borrowing, and disposable incomes prompting very slow economic growth. The policy measures, if not well managed, can also choke companies’ capability to invest in new projects. Zimstat said the US$ month-on-month inflation rate for the period stood at 0,2% in February 2025, shedding 11.3% on the January 2025 rate of 11,5% implying that prices as measured by the all items index increased by an average of 0,2% from January 2025 to February 2025. The US$ month-on-month Food and NonAlcoholic Beverages inflation rate was 0,2% in February 2025, shedding 16.6% on the January 2025 rate of 16,8%. The February 2025 US$ month-on-month non-food inflation rate was 0.2 % shedding 8,9% on the January 2025 rate of 9,1%. The US$ year-on-year inflation rate (annual percentage change) for the month of February 2025 as measured by the all-items US$ Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 15.1%. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 7. *POPULAR CHITUNGWIZA PASTOR RAPES CONGREGANT (AGED 14) THEN PRAYS FOR HER AND GIVES HER MORNING-AFTER PILLS* A pastor at Tabernacle of Power Ministries in Chitungwiza is facing accusations of raping a 14-year-old member of the church. The 36-year-old Tendai Tinodiwanashe Mashongashika, popularly known as Prophet Tino, was recently arraigned before Chitungwiza Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping the teenage congregant. Allegations are that on January, 12, this year, the complainant attended a church service at number 2043 Unit A, Chitungwiza. The church service was held at Pastor Tino’s home. It is alleged that after the church service, the youth chair lady ordered the teenage girl to remain behind and arrange the chairs. At some point, Pastor Tino is alleged to have grabbed the girl’s hand using force and raped her once in his bedroom. After the act, he allegedly gave the young girl a cloth to clean the blood and accompanied her to her grandmother’s house. He prayed for her before he left the place. The teenage girl did not disclose the case. According to her statement, she was merely following the orders of her pastor who had told her not to tell anyone about the rape. “He told me that even if I tell anyone about the act nobody will believe me because he is a pastor,” she said in her statement. On January 13, at around 6 am, Pastor Tino is said to have met the complainant and given her some morning-after pills and given her instructions about how to use them. The rape came to light on January 30 whe her grandmother used her cell phone and found some WhatsApp messages between her grandchild and her pastor in which he was proposing love to the teenage girl. The grandmother also found that she had been enquiring about morning-after pills and how an abortion could be carried out. She asked her grand daughter about all this but she did not reveal the rape incident. She alerted her aunt and the teenage girl then revealed to her the abuse she had suffered at the hands of Pastor Tino. A medical report was produced in court as evidence. *_-H-Metro_* 8. *GWERU RESIDENTS URGED TO TRACK BUDGET AND COUNCIL ACCOUNTABLE* Gweru residents have been urged to track the 2025 budget and ensure council implements key priority areas agreed upon during consultative meetings Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation executive director Samuel Wadzai said this at a meeting jointly organised by Viset and Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA). “There is need for residents to actively track performance of the 2025 budget and check whether priority areas agreed upon during consultations are followed,” Wadzai said. “There is a tendency by residents to relax once the budget has been approved, but we are saying feedback, checks and balances by residents should continue throughout the whole budget formulation cycle.” GRRA director Cornelia Selipwe said residents should be well-versed with budget-tracking toolkits so that they adequately track the 2025 budget. “The budget tracking toolkits are necessary so that residents effectively track the performance of the budget,” Silipiwe said. Councillor Norest Dzivakwe (ward 15) said the local authority was willing to assist residents in the budget tracking process. “We should prioritise budget tracking and I would even suggest that we do this on a quarterly basis to see how the budget is performing,” Dzivakwe said. A US$54 million budget was approved by government a fortnight ago, with key sectors such as health and education being priroritised. *_-Southern Eye_* 9. *ZIMBABWE COULD CLEAR ARREARS WITH BOLD REFORMS, WORLD BANK SAYS* Zimbabwe could clear its arrears and rework $21 billion in debt that’s kept it locked out of international capital markets for more than a quarter of a century if it implements fiscal reforms, the World Bank said. “By adopting a bold set of fiscal reforms, it can turn the page on a prolonged history of macroeconomic instability, and set the foundations for a credible national budget that is efficient, able to manage unforeseen fiscal risks, and can ensure a stable and competitive currency,” the World Bank said in its review of Zimbabwe’s public finances on Wednesday. “In turn, this would open up the historic possibility of arrears’ clearance and debt resolution, which would release major additional resources in concessional multilateral financing for public and private investments.” It would also put Zimbabwe on a high-growth path and a more stable macroeconomic trajectory, the Washington-based lender said. The southern African nation defaulted on debt from lenders such as the World Bank, the Paris Club and the African Development Bank in 1999. In the past three years, it’s made concerted efforts to exit default. It’s enlisted AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina and former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano to negotiate with creditors, hired Global Sovereign Advisory, a Paris-based consultancy, and started paying reparations to farmers and nations whose land it seized in the 2000s. Changes the World Bank recommends include removing monetary and exchange-rate distortions to enable low and stable inflation, reducing the public-service wage bill by eliminating duplicate and redundant roles and doing away with value-added tax exemptions and zero-rating to increase revenues. The nation introduced the ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, in April last year to eventually replace the dollar in local transactions. Multiple previous attempts at creating a local unit have failed and led to spiralling inflation. The central bank has introduced a plethora of steps to support the ZiG including curbing the money supply and forcing companies to price their products in the local currency, favouring the informal sector that sells goods at the higher unofficial exchange rate. The World Bank also urged Zimbabwe to reverse the trend toward informalization by removing macroeconomic obstacles, high compliance burden for small businesses and taxing formal transactions. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 10. *ZANU PF POLITBURO MEMBER CLASHES WITH MINING PARTNER* A bid by Zanu PF politburo member, Omega Hungwe, to retain control of mining machinery after a joint venture agreement turned sour has suffered a setback following the High Court’s refusal to entertain her case. The High Court ruled against Hungwe and referred the matter to arbitration saying it has no jurisdiction to hear the matter. The dispute revolves around clause 15 of the agreement between Hungwe and Huwambo (Pvt) Ltd. The clause stipulates that any disputes arising from the agreement shall be resolved through arbitration. The parties agreed to resolve their grievances outside the courtroom, even providing a mechanism for appointing an arbitrator. They also resolved that in the event that the parties fail to agree on an arbitrator, the president of the Commercial Arbitration Centre in Harare is, therefore, empowered to appoint one. Despite the provision, Hungwe approached the High Court seeking an interdict to stop Huwambo from removing machinery from 65 VA Great Riversdale Farm in ward 22, Mazowe. Hungwe sought to keep the equipment as security for her alleged legal entitlements, including compensation for Huwambo’s breach of contract. High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva refused to entertain the matter saying the parties had agreed to resolve their disputes through arbitration. “In my view, this clause is crystal clear. It ousts the jurisdiction of courts of law. Applicant (Hungwe) submitted that this clause does not oust the court’s jurisdiction because applicant is not seeking a substantive relief, but an interdict,” Justice Takuva ruled. “It is the applicant’s contention that she decided to preserve value first before pursuing arbitration. “Unfortunately, the founding affidavit does not mention arbitration. A party’s case stands or falls on its founding affidavit. Further, the court’s duty is to enforce the parties’ contract and not to make one for them.” The judge struck the matter off the roll. “The parties should refer their disputes to arbitration in line with the intention expressed in their contract.” The judge ordered Huwambo to pay costs of the suit. The background of the matter is that on October 26, 2023, Hungwe and Huwambo entered into a contract to extract minerals from the former’s Mazowe farm, leveraging on a special grant awarded to her by the Mines and Mining Development ministry. Under the agreement, Huwambo was obliged to commence mining operations within six months of the contract’s execution. However, Hungwe alleged that Huwambo failed to fulfil its obligations, leaving her to shoulder significant financial losses. The situation took a turn last May when Huwambo allegedly descended on the farm with the intent to seize machinery held by Hungwe as security for unpaid compensation. Hungwe contended that this conduct was not only unlawful, but also in direct violation of her property rights under the contract. She later approached the High Court seeking to stop the removal of the equipment. Huwambo opposed the application saying the High Court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter. Justice Takuva said clause 15 of the agreement was unambiguous in its intent to oust the jurisdiction of the courts. By electing arbitration as their forum of choice, the parties effectively barred the High Court from presiding over their dispute. *_-Newsday_* 11. *UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – ZIMBABWE HAILED FOR ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY* Countries attending the ongoing 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council have saluted Zimbabwe for successfully abolishing the death penalty. Speaking at the high-level convention, Zimbabwe’s Attorney General Virginia Mabiza chronicled the country’s journey in ending the death penalty which was introduced by British colonial powers and remained in place even beyond the attainment of Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. She said at independence, Zimbabwe inherited a wide array of offences that attracted the death penalty and since then, various legislative and policy interventions have been implemented to gradually reduce the number of crimes attracting the death penalty. In 2013, the number of offences attracting the death penalty had been reduced from nine to only murder committed in aggravating circumstances in sync with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 52 on reducing the number of offences that attract the death penalty. “Ultimately, in 2024, the Government enacted the Death Penalty Abolition Act [Chapter 9:26], a significant milestone in the country’s human rights journey. The Death Penalty Abolition Act [Chapter 9:26] outlawed the imposition of the Death Penalty. “It further placed a positive legal obligation on the Minister responsible for Justice, the Prosecutor General and the Commissioner General of Prisons to do everything within their respective competencies to ensure every prisoner under the sentence of death is brought before the High Court for resentencing,” Mabiza told the gathering. Maxime Prevot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, speaking on behalf of the core group on the question of the death penalty (Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Mongolia, Republic of Moldova, and Switzerland), hailed the recent decision of Zimbabwe to abolish the death penalty and encouraged other states to follow suit, or, pending its abolition, to impose a moratorium on its use. Switzerland welcomed Mabiza’s presence at the Human Rights Council and congratulated Zimbabwe for the major step in the protection of human rights. The High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk observed that 113 countries have abolished the death penalty completely. He commended the Zimbabwean government for joining 26 other countries in Africa that have abolished the death penalty. *_-NewZimbabwe_* 12. *MOTHER ASKS COURT TO HELP STOP HER SON’S GAMBLING ADDICTION... CLAIMS THAT HE IS WASTING HIMSELF WITH HIS BETTING OBSESSION* A woman has taken the unusual step of approaching the courts to try and find a solution to her son’s gambling obsessuon, claiming that his life is being wasted by his addiction to sports betting, which has taken this country by storm. The case illustrates the challenges which many families are now having to deal with in this country as many people plunge into the dark spaces of gambling. The industry lures its clients by promising huge returns but, for many of the players, it usually ends up in tears. The industry generates millions of dollars every month and betting on football matches has now overtaken what is spent in betting on horses in this country. Cathy Munaki dragged her son Tawanda to the Harare Civil Court where she said his obsession with gambling had left her being harassed by a number of people who lent him money to finance his gambling obsession. Munaki said: “He sells my property, he gets involved in debts using my name and I am the one who gets harassed when people come demanding their money. “I now live in fear as creditors keep knocking on my door demanding to be paid back their money which I know nothing about.” She said Tawanda’s behaviour has destroyed her relationship with her family and friends as she usually finds herself in the middle of his financial mess. Tawanda did not deny the allegations. He told the court that he was struggling to make ends meet after his contract at his former workplace expired. “I was just trying to get money because I am not working,” he said. Presiding Magistrate Meenal Naratam ordered Tawanda to get a job and stop tormenting his mother. The sports betting industry in this country has exploded in the past few years. This has seen tens of thousands of Zimbabweans gambling and hoping to strike a fortune. A number of sports betting agencies have emerged across the country in recent years, fighting for their cake in a market which is dominated by MWOS and AfricaBet. The advent of online betting has also dramatically changed the landscape because this means that gamblers can bet even in the comfort of their homes. The English Premiership, the Spanish La Liga, the Germany Bundesliga, the French Lig 1 and the Italian Seri A are attractive markets for the local gamblers. Last year it was revealed that 539 betting houses have been licenced in this country. The sports betting whirlwind has not only hit Zimbabwe but it has also hit South Africa where the market is bigger and the returns are higher. While local annual figures of how much was spent on gambling last year are not easy to come by, in South Africa it was reported that a staggering US$58,7 billion (R1,1-trillion) was spent on legal bets for the financial year ending March 31 2024. The figure was 40% more than the previous financial year. Two thirds of that money went to horse and sports betting activities. The biggest mover of this huge amount, which the industry generated, was sports betting. *_-H-Metro_* 13. *EPWORTH MAN (AGED 63) RAPES 3 MINORS* A 63-year-old Epworth man has been denied bail on charges of raping three minors. Lengton Matereke yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa and was advised to approach the High Court for bail. He is expected back in court on March 13. The sexual abuses dates back to 2020. The complainants were reportedly lured into Matereke’s one-roomed home in Epworth and raped. The State alleges that the first complainant, now 16 years old, was raped by Matereke when she was 12. Sometime in 2020, she and her friend, also a juvenile went to Matereke’s home with a pair of torn trousers to be mended since he is a tailor. Upon entering his one-roomed house, divided by a curtain, Matereke allegedly closed the door and went behind the curtain with one of the girls and raped her. The second complainant, now also 16, alleges she was raped by Matereke when she went to buy vegetables from him. The third complainant, now aged 14, alleges that she was raped by Matereke after she had gone to his place also buy vegetables. After being assaulted, one of the complainants reportedly went home and told her sister that she was bleeding. The sister assumed it was her first menstrual cycle. The alleged abuse came to light when the complainant confided in her mother about the incident. A police report was made, leading to Matereke’s arrest. The other complainants filed reports after hearing about his arrest. *_-Newsday_* 14. *CHINESE MAN DUPES HARARE MAN US$6,300 AND ANOTHER US$3,500 IN CRYPTOCURRENCY DEAL* A Chinese national, who is a trader in cryptocurrency, appeared in court yesterday facing allegations of duping a local investor who had injected US$6 300 but did not get any returns. Tang Lindong was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova. He was remanded in custody. The complainant is Webster Zuvarinopisa. The court heard that in November last year, Lindong and other accomplices interacted with Zuvarinopisa on Telegram. They lured him into online Crypto currency trading giving an impression that he was going to get profit from tasks performed online. Zuvarinopisa got interested with the offer and started acknowledging prompts given to him by Lindong. He was initially rewarded with US$1 via an Ecocash payment platform for the first task he had completed. Lindong allegedly then created an online US$ crypto currency account for Zuvarinopisa and went on to instruct him to deposit money into various supplied Ecocash wallets. Zuvarinopisa made various deposits, amounting to a total of US$6 329. But, when he was about to claim his rewards, Lindong froze the account. Zuvarinopisa made a police report and investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of Lindong’s accomplice Chioneso Rutsito, who then implicated Lindong, as well others who are still at large. Using the same modus operandi Lindong allegedly duped the second complainant, Hilman Nyamai, of US$3 517. Rufaro Chonzi appeared for the State. *_-H-Metro_* 15. *POLICE BUST FRAUD SYNDICATE* Police have arrested three suspected fraudsters who allegedly hired cars and manufactured fake national identity documents and vehicle registration books to use as collateral for loans that were never repaid. Investigations have revealed that the fourth suspect, only known as Cosy who is still at large, was the one who manufactured fake registration books in the name of the suspects. The gang would then use hired vehicles as collateral to secure loans at financial institutions. They are believed to have defrauded three financial institutions of amounts ranging between US$6 000 and US$7 000 after hiring three Toyota Axios from different car rentals in the city. Their luck ran out on February 19 when they hired a Toyota Fortuner before they manufactured fake national identity cards and the car’s registration book that was in the name of one of the suspects. It is alleged that they approached a financial institution on the same day that became suspicious before conducting inquiries, leading to the arrest of the suspects. CID spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said following their arrest, police recovered several articles for criminal use including an Acer laptop, an HP desktop, a commissioner of oaths stamp, blank plastic national identity card size material and other incriminating documents. Police arrested three of the wanted gang members in Harare: Tichaenzana Aloius Muteerwa (33) of 8231, 108 Crescent Glen View 8, Rashid Percy Muchena (38) of 7261 Retreat, Waterfalls, and John Tevere of 1714 Glen View 7, for fraud. “During the period extending from mid-December last year to 20 February this year the suspects connived and hatched a plan to defraud car rental companies and financial institutions,” she said. The gang produced fake national identity documents in the name of Muteerwa and motor vehicle registration books. *_-Herald_* 16. *GWERU MAN BRUTALLY AXED THEN SMASHED WITH A BRICK FOR REFUSING TO BUY BEER* A 34-year-old Lower Gweru man is fighting for his life at Gweru Provincial Hospital after he was struck with an axe and hit with a brick following a misunderstanding over beer. Midlands Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident. “Police from Maboleni in Lower Gweru are investigating a case of attempted murder which occurred on February 20 at around 8 pm when Brighton Nkomo was severely attacked following a misunderstanding over beer,” he said. Inspector Mahoko said Brighton of Mangwande Village was drinking beer with his friend Thulani Nkomo at Mangwande Township when one of the suspects, Edwin Msipa, started assaulting Brighton’s friend who had refused to buy him beer. “Brighton tried to refrain Msipa from assaulting his friend. This did not go well with another suspect, Pardon Sibanda. Sibanda intervened and struck Brighton twice with an axe on the forehead. Msipa hit Brighton with a brick once on the head,” he said. Inspector Mahoko said Brighton became unconscious and the suspects fled the scene. “After some time, Brighton regained consciousness and went to his homestead. The following day, he made a report at ZRP Maboleni and officers attended the scene but no arrests were made,” he said. Inspector Mahoko said Brighton was referred to Gweru Provincial Hospital. *_-Herald_*