HOT TOPICS ONLINE ............ *Police officer bashes suspect to death* *Mukuru employees leave offices unattended* (Byo24News) *US warns Zimbabwe trade talks could collapse* (Business Times) *3 dead, 18 injured after bus collides with trucks on Vic Falls road* (The Zimbabwean) *49 dead in Eastern Cape’s worst floods: 4 bodies of learners swept away are missing, including a girl who saw a snake after climbing a tree* (my Zimbabwe) *Police Officer Arrested Over US$40 Bribe To Release Suspect* (Pindula) *SADC military withdrawal from DRC enters final phase* (zw news) ............ ©Zoomic Media https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26 *Police officer bashes suspect to death* By Rejoice Phiri The suspect, Prince Ndavambi (39) from Waterfalls, Harare, was granted US$400 bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo. A POLICE officer stationed in Ruwa appeared in court yesterday facing murder charges after a suspect he assaulted succumbed to the injuries. The suspect, Prince Ndavambi (39) from Waterfalls, Harare, was granted US$400 bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo. He will be back in court on July 2, pending finalisation of investigations. Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara told the court that on May 27,Ndavambi arrested a suspect in connection with a case of assault and theft. When they reached the police station Ndavambi assaulted the now deceased with a hoe handle, inflicting injuries all over his body. He then detained the man in police cells before leaving the station. The court heard that later that evening, the suspect’s condition deteriorated. He was taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Clinic, where he died the following day. ----- *Mukuru employees leave offices unattended* (Byo24News) by Gideon Madzikatidze Disgruntled customers had to wait for nearly an hour on Monday when two Mukuru.com employees stationed at Waterfalls booth left offices unattended while displaying US$300 (10-dollar notes) over the counter. Despite being a serial victim of money heists and robberies countrywide, Mukuru.com is yet to learn the hardest way from their employees recklessness. Angry customers had to take photos and videos of a monumental office and share with Bulawayo24.com while expressing dissatisfaction with level of security by the financial institution. "We have been waiting for nearly an hour in our quest to collect money, but neighbouring shop attendants told us that they had gone for lunch at nearby restaurant," one customer said. "There were several ten-dollar denomination notes displayed over the counter. We only heard that the two, Kudzie and Lingiwe had gone to buy lunch earlier before lunch," the customer added. "When Lingiwe came back and we quizzed her on why did they left their office without anyone to attend while money is displayed over the counter, she just responded that US$300 is not that much considering the amounts they hold or transfer daily," the customer added.t4w Source - Byo24News ....... *US warns Zimbabwe trade talks could collapse* (Business Times) The United States has cautioned that Zimbabwe's efforts to secure reduced tariffs on its exports face significant risks due to tight negotiation timelines, even as a temporary reprieve has been granted by the Trump administration. On April 9, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of select reciprocal tariffs affecting multiple countries, including Zimbabwe. This move followed Zimbabwe's formal request for a more balanced trade arrangement with the US. However, a baseline 10% tariff introduced on April 5 remains in effect across all imports, including Zimbabwean goods, meaning the trade tension is far from resolved. US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont told Business Times this week that the greatest challenge remains the limited timeframe available to conclude a deal before the 90-day suspension on the 18% tariff expires. "We're still having conversations," Ambassador Tremont said. "But the biggest problem is the timeline to negotiate tariffs." The negotiations were prompted after Zimbabwe submitted a formal proposal to Washington aimed at reducing trade barriers. Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube spearheaded the diplomatic efforts during the recent IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, lobbying key US Treasury officials and Capitol Hill representatives. In response, the Trump administration granted the tariff pause to provide space for dialogue. Yet, with just weeks remaining, the brief window for negotiations is emerging as a critical stumbling block. "Unfortunately, because we have negotiations with so many countries, I think that 90 days will probably expire before we come to an agreement with Zimbabwe," Tremont warned. "Anyone familiar with trade negotiations knows they don't happen overnight." She added, "And when you are trying to negotiate with more than 120 countries simultaneously, there's inevitably going to be a problem." A major sticking point remains Zimbabwe's own tariff policies, particularly steep import duties. Ambassador Tremont pointed out the high vehicle import taxes - sometimes up to 60% - as a key issue affecting reciprocal negotiations. "To import a vehicle here can cost up to 60% on top of the purchase price," she said. "So by that standard, even 18% on Zimbabwe's exports to the US could be seen as quite generous." Historically, the US has maintained one of the world's most open economies, often providing preferential access to developing countries without demanding similar concessions on American exports. However, this dynamic is shifting under President Trump's "America First" trade agenda. "Well, the US has offered generous access to its markets for decades," Tremont noted. For Zimbabwe, a successful trade deal would be critical to boosting its struggling export sector and bringing in much-needed foreign currency. Yet with the clock ticking, the opportunity to finalize terms is rapidly shrinking. Despite the urgency, the US remains cautious about rushing negotiations. "We're open to discussions with all countries on how to find a more balanced trade framework," Tremont said. "But this is a complex issue, and we need time to assess each country's position thoroughly." She acknowledged the pressure on Washington to move quickly but highlighted the volume of countries involved. "We're all in a hurry to make this happen as quickly as possible. But there's a long line of countries that have made offers, and it's going to take time for us to get to all of them." As the 90-day suspension nears its end, both Harare and Washington face mounting pressure to reach an agreement or risk losing critical momentum. In the meantime, Ambassador Tremont reaffirmed continued US support for Zimbabwe's health and humanitarian sectors. "The US has US$223 million allocated for health and humanitarian programmes this year," she said. With both sides aware of the stakes, the coming weeks will be decisive for Zimbabwe's trade relations with its most significant global partner. Source - Business Times ....... *3 dead, 18 injured after bus collides with trucks on Vic Falls road* (The Zimbabwean) Police say Stallion Cruise bus driver caused crash with overtaking manoeuvre The Stallion Cruise bus after collision with two trucks on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road BULAWAYO- Three people died and 18 others were injured after a Stallion Cruise bus and two haulage trucks collided along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road on Wednesday evening, police confirmed. The crash happened at around 6.30PM near the first tollgate in Umguza. Police said the bus driver “encroached into the lane of oncoming traffic after trying to overtake a Volvo haulage truck,” leading to a head-on collision with another truck travelling in the opposite direction. “Prior to the head on, the bus swerved to the right side hitting the truck which was going in the same direction from rear right corner of the trailer,” police said in a statement. “As result of the head on collision, one male person was thrown from the bus into truck’s front passenger seat and he died on the spot and another female passenger who was in the oncoming truck also died because of the impact of the collision.” A third victim died in hospital on Wednesday, bringing the confirmed death toll to three. Police said 18 other passengers sustained various injuries and were ferried to local hospitals for treatment. The bus and both trucks were extensively damaged. Police believe the crash was caused by “speeding, overtaking error, inattention and misjudgment by the bus driver,” and say a charge of culpable homicide is being preferred against him. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Msebele Nomalanga urged motorists to be cautious on the roads. “Police is appealing to motorists to exercise due care, avoid overspeeding, be patient on our roads and to always follow road traffic regulations so as to avoid loss of lives,” she said. © The Zimbabwean 2005 - 2025 ------- *Man sentenced for stealing US$2,700 to fund gambling spree* (B-Metro) A Pumula man who stole US$2,700 from his employer and lost it all on betting sprees has been sentenced to prison after admitting his crime in court. Nkenya Mudenda, 29, appeared before Tredgold Magistrate Evia Matura, where he pleaded guilty to theft charges involving funds entrusted to him by local food distributor Ansar Foods. The magistrate handed him a 24-month sentence, with six months suspended. Between June 6 and June 9, Mudenda was responsible for collecting and managing cash on behalf of Ansar Foods. Prosecutor Nkanyezi Xaba explained that instead of safeguarding the funds, Mudenda embezzled the money and used it to fuel his gambling addiction. When the company, represented by director Mark Chitaka, requested the money, Mudenda was unable to account for the funds. He later confessed to losing the entire amount through betting, hoping to multiply the money quickly. "I just wanted to multiply the money," Mudenda told the court. "I thought I could make more through betting." Unfortunately for him, the gamble did not pay off. No funds have been recovered to date. Now facing the consequences of his actions behind bars, Mudenda's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and gambling - where, in the end, the house always wins. Source - B-Metro ..... *49 dead in Eastern Cape’s worst floods: 4 bodies of learners swept away are missing, including a girl who saw a snake after climbing a tree* (my Zimbabwe) By Sekai Moyo On 10 June 2025, the Eastern Cape province of South Africa became the epicenter of a weather catastrophe, experiencing what officials are calling the worst floods in recent memory. Relentless rain, powerful winds, and devastating landslides combined to create a perfect storm of destruction, claiming the lives of at least 49 people and leaving countless others displaced and traumatized. The OR Tambo District Municipality was particularly hard hit, with reports indicating that the death toll could continue to rise as rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and search for those still missing. Among the deceased were several schoolchildren whose lives were tragically cut short when their scholar transport minibus was swept away by raging floodwaters. The story of the minibus taxi has become a symbol of the devastation wrought by the floods. The vehicle, carrying 13 children and two adults, was en route to Jumba Senior Secondary School when it encountered a flooded bridge near Mthatha. Despite the driver’s attempts to navigate the treacherous conditions, the minibus was overwhelmed by the force of the water and swept away. The scene that followed was one of unimaginable horror. As the minibus was carried downstream, the children inside clung to each other in terror, their screams for help drowned out by the roar of the floodwaters. Onlookers watched helplessly from the riverbank, unable to intervene as the vehicle disappeared beneath the surface. Tragically, only three of the children survived the ordeal. They were found clinging to trees along the riverbank, exhausted and traumatized but alive. The bodies of six other children, along with the driver and conductor, were later recovered from the wreckage of the minibus. Four children remain missing, their fate unknown. Among the stories of loss and heartbreak, one particular account has captured the hearts of the nation. One of the pupils, a young girl, managed to escape the sinking minibus and find refuge in a tree along the riverbank. As she clung to the branches, she cried out for help, her voice filled with desperation and fear. Onlookers on the riverbank watched in anguish, desperate to assist but unable to reach her due to the strong currents and rising water levels. As time passed, the girl’s cries grew weaker, her strength failing as she battled against the elements. Then, a new terror emerged. As the girl clung to the tree, she spotted a snake slithering towards her through the floodwaters. Panic set in as she realized the danger she was in. She cried out that she could see a snake approaching her. In a desperate attempt to escape the reptile, the girl let go of the tree and was swept away by the relentless current. Her body not been recovered, and she is one of the ten deceased learners who were in the minibus. The mother of one of the missing children, a 14-year-old boy, expressed her relief at the recovery of her son’s body, even as she grieved his loss. Nomahlubi Mkhatshani said that her only hope was to find her son’s body, knowing in her heart that he was gone. After hours of searching, divers emerged from the water holding his body, a moment that silenced onlookers and brought her to her knees. She asked rescue teams to turn his face toward her before confirming it was him. The floods have not only claimed lives but have also left a trail of destruction across the Eastern Cape. Homes have been washed away, infrastructure has been damaged, and thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. The small community of Decoligny, near Mthatha, has been particularly devastated, with many residents losing everything they owned. Asongezwa Ntlabathi, a 25-year-old resident of Decoligny, recounted the harrowing experience of losing her two nephews, aged six and eight, in the floods. Their bodies were found in the mud at their home, while her mother and oldest nephew remained missing. Ntlabathi said she was awakened by a frantic call from her mother, who told her that the water was rising rapidly and had reached her house. Ntlabathi tried to call for help, but was told that there was nothing that could be done. Her mother’s house was completely submerged before any assistance could arrive. Loyiso Nokhayingana, another resident of Decoligny, described how he and his 49-year-old mother were trapped inside their house as the floodwaters rose. Nokhayingana was forced to climb into the ceiling and break through the roof with a spade to escape. He was able to rescue his mother, and they were pulled to safety by neighbors. The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Oscar Mabuyane, has declared a state of disaster and has mobilized resources to assist affected communities. However, the scale of the devastation has overwhelmed local authorities, and national assistance has been requested. Mabuyane, who joined search and rescue teams in the field, expressed his shock and grief at the scale of the tragedy. He said that the number of fatalities could increase as the search continued and that many other parts of the province were affected by the rains, with roads impassable due to snow. The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) confirmed that the scholar transport vehicle that was swept away was a 22-seater minibus affiliated with one of its members. Santaco expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to support the search and rescue efforts. It has been revealed that, prior to the tragedy, the driver of the minibus contacted the vehicle owner, expressing his concerns about the overflowing river. The driver, assessing the situation at the bridge, deemed the water levels too dangerous to cross safely. He informed the owner that the vehicle appeared to be stuck and requested assistance to safely extract it from the precarious location. Tragically, before help could arrive, the bridge succumbed to the relentless pressure of the floodwaters and collapsed. The 22-seater minibus, carrying thirteen schoolchildren, the conductor, and the driver, was swept away in the ensuing torrent, sealing their fate in a devastating and irreversible moment. Gift of the Givers, a South African-based humanitarian organization, has dispatched teams to the Eastern Cape to provide assistance to those affected by the floods. The organization is providing food, water, blankets, and other essential supplies to displaced residents. As the Eastern Cape grapples with the aftermath of this devastating weather event, the nation mourns the loss of life and rallies to support those who have been affected. The floods serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation. The disaster has also raised questions about infrastructure development and land use planning in the Eastern Cape province. Critics have pointed out that many of the affected communities are located in flood-prone areas and that inadequate drainage systems have exacerbated the impact of the heavy rains. In the wake of the floods, there have been calls for a comprehensive review of disaster management policies and practices in South Africa, as well as increased investment in infrastructure and community resilience. .... *Police Officer Arrested Over US$40 Bribe To Release Suspect* (Pindula) A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer has been arrested and charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer, or alternatively, extortion, following a bribery scandal that unfolded at ZRP Zengeza. The police officer, who has not been named, appeared at Chitungwiza Magistrates' Court. He was granted bail of US$100 and ordered to reside at his current address until the matter is finalised. He was also ordered to report every Friday at CID PACU between 6 AM and 6 PM and strictly warned not to interfere with witnesses or investigations. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on June 7, 2025, a suspect was arrested for allegedly possessing a stolen Samsung Galaxy A04E. That same day, the suspect's friend approached the investigating officer (the accused) to seek clarity on the case. Said the NPA: _It is alleged that instead of offering a professional explanation, the accused demanded US$200 in exchange for the suspect's release and for the matter to be "shelved."_ _The friend reported the bribe demand to the CID Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU), triggering a carefully coordinated trap operation._ _On the 9th of June 2025, a team of PACU detectives accompanied the friend to ZRP Zengeza, where the accused contacted the suspect's friend and directed him to office G13, and later to office G16 for the transaction._ _Under surveillance, the friend handed over US$40 in marked trap money:1 x US$20 (Serial: PH50115833C) 2 x US$10 (Serials: PK45658296B & PB36416637E) the accused received the cash inside office G16, unaware he was being watched by detectives._ _Moments later, he was caught red-handed with the trap money in his left hand and immediately arrested._ The case has been remanded to July 11, 2025, for the setting of a trial date. ...... *SADC military withdrawal from DRC enters final phase* (zw news) The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is continuing with the structured and phased withdrawal of its mission forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in line with resolutions made during the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held on March 13. The SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which was deployed to support peace and security in the volatile eastern regions of Goma and Sake, is in the second phase of its official withdrawal process. The mission’s mandate formally came to an end following decisions made at the summit level, and the exit strategy is being carried out in an organised and coordinated manner to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. Phase One of the withdrawal began on April 29 and focused on the extraction of equipment and other logistical assets. Today marks the commencement of Phase Two, which involves the repatriation of mission personnel, their personal effects, and remaining operational equipment. Troops currently stationed in Goma and Sake will be transported to the United Republic of Tanzania. From there, Tanzanian forces will proceed to Dar es Salaam, while the South African and Malawian contingents will be airlifted to their respective home countries. SADC has reiterated its commitment to fostering peace, security, and political stability in the DRC and the wider SADC region. While the SAMIDRC operation draws to a close, the regional body remains engaged through diplomatic, political, and strategic channels in collaboration with the Government of the DRC and other regional stakeholders. The orderly and phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC forces underscores SADC’s unwavering adherence to collective security principles and its ongoing support for peaceful conflict resolution and sustainable peace in the region. ZBC