Online Reporter
A 22-YEAR-OLD Victoria Falls man has been remanded in custody after allegedly biting off part of another man’s nose in a fit of rage.
Kelvin Ndebele of Lukunguni village 1, under Chief Shana in Jambezi, appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Linda Dzvene on assault charges after he allegedly attacked Nkosiyenzile Gumede (22).
Prosecutor Portia Moyo told the court that the incident happened on July 3, 2025 at Magrett Moyo’s homestead. Ndebele reportedly stormed the property around 7am and accused Gumede of gossiping about him.
“Ndebele began assaulting Gumede by hurling stones at him using a catapult, striking him multiple times . . . ,” said Moyo.
“When the complainant tried to restrain him, the accused retaliated by biting him once on the nose, severing part of it.”
The matter was reported to the police and Ndebele was arrested. Gumede was rushed to hospital and a medical report was submitted to the court.
“The accused acted unlawfully and with intent to cause bodily harm or, at the very least, realised the real risk of such harm,” added the prosecutor.
Magistrate Dzvene remanded Ndebele in custody pending sentencing. The bizarre attack has sent shockwaves through the Lukunguni community, with residents describing it as a scene straight out of a horror movie. — Vic Falls Bureau
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Nyanga man steals brother’s cattle to settle goblin debt
A 61-year-old Nyanga man has been arrested for allegedly stealing seven cattle from his younger brother to settle a mysterious “goblin-related debt” owed to a notorious traditional healer by their late mother.
Oliver Sedze, from Nyagato village under Chief Katerere, stands accused of taking the beasts, valued at US$4 000, without permission. He reportedly sold them off to raise money for a traditional healer known as Matthias Sithole, who allegedly provided goblins to his mother, the late Anna Sedze.
The stolen cattle belonged to Weston Sedze, who resides in Harare and had engaged a caretaker, David Goba (33), to look after his 22 head of cattle.
In June, Goba reportedly left the cattle grazing unattended, which allegedly gave Oliver the opportunity to steal them.
“Accused person was said to be raising money to settle a debt that was left by his mother to the traditional healer known as Sithole,” said acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka.
The seven cattle — two cows, two heifers, two bulls and an ox — were reportedly sold to Jona Tsabasvi in Nyagato village and another unidentified buyer in Chapatarongo, Ruwangwe. None of the animals or proceeds have been recovered.
Weston Sedze filed a police report on July 9, leading to Oliver’s arrest.
The case has tragically exposed another family torn apart by the lure of supernatural wealth from the controversial traditional healer Sithole, who is infamous in the region for claiming to boost clients’ fortunes using goblins.
“The value stolen is US$4 000 and nothing was recovered,” Asst Insp Chinyoka confirmed.
Police are urging the public to report any suspicious livestock sales and to avoid being drawn into occult dealings that can leave families broken and financially devastated. — Manica Post
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Vic Falls woman assaults neighbour with pot
Tempers boiled over in Victoria Falls when a 30-year-old woman allegedly smashed her neighbour on the head with a cooking pot.
Siphilisiwe Ndlovu appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Linda Dzvene charged with assault after she allegedly attacked Ellen Chakanyuka.
Prosecutor Portia Moyo told the court that on July 7, 2025, around 6am, Chakanyuka was walking her children to school when Ndlovu suddenly confronted her over an undisclosed issue.
“A misunderstanding arose between the two and the accused person, who was holding a pot, struck the complainant once on the head with it,” said Moyo.
The blow left Chakanyuka reeling in pain, forcing her to abandon the school run. The incident was reported to the police and Ndlovu was arrested. Magistrate Dzvene remanded Ndlovu to a later date for sentencing. — Vic Falls Bureau
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Teenager jailed for horrific rape of 11-year-old cousin
An 18-year-old Suburbs man has been slapped with a five-year prison sentence for the horrific rape of his 11-year-old cousin at knifepoint.
The perpetrator, who cannot be named to protect his young victim, was found guilty of one count of rape by Western Commonage regional magistrate Sibongile Marondedze.
Despite the chilling details of the crime, Marondedze cited the teenager’s youth and first-offender status as reasons for granting him a “second chance” with the five-year jail term. Prosecutor Milton Moyo told the court that the nightmare unfolded in November last year around 4pm in Pumula East.
The accused lured the innocent girl into her brother’s bedroom, pulled a knife and repeatedly raped her — a horrifying four times.
He then threatened to beat her if she dared to tell anyone.
The vile abuse remained hidden until January when the family’s domestic worker made a shocking discovery: the girl’s stained underwear hidden in the toilet. Suspicious, the househelp kept a watchful eye.
Later that day, she saw discharge on the girl’s thighs, confronted her and the brave young victim finally revealed the horrific truth.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
Medical tests at the hospital confirmed the unspeakable violation. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Machete gang murders good Samaritan
J Mafuyana Township was left terrified after a good Samaritan was hacked to death with a machete while helping a couple whose car had broken down. One of the victims also had a finger chopped off.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed the arrest of Nkosana Mangena (29), Tapiwa Mpofu (29) and Mthabisi Ndlovu (32).
They were nabbed for murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property after they went on a rampage on the night of June 29, 2025.
According to a police report, Chelesani Moyo (32) was pushing a couple’s broken-down vehicle when the trio ambushed him and struck him on the head with a machete, killing him on the spot.
When the shocked couple tried to intervene, the gang turned on them with ferocious violence — slashing, stabbing and even damaging their car.
“In the mayhem, one of the complainants had a little finger chopped off,” reads part of the statement issued by police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
On June 30, police in Maphisa received a tip-off linking Mangena to the savage murder.
Acting swiftly, detectives raided Nyika compound and pounced on Mangena.
He quickly cracked under pressure and disclosed his co-accused, leading to a dramatic swoop that netted the other two suspects.
Police have praised the public for sharing information leading to the machete gang’s arrest.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for supplying information that led to the arrest of the suspects,” said Commissioner Nyathi. “The public should continue supplying information on criminal activities on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.”
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon. — Bulawayo Bureau
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter