Pindula

Marry Mubaiwa, the ex-wife of Zimbabwe’s Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, has lost her appeal against her conviction and sentence for forging a marriage certificate. Mubaiwa reportedly forged Chiwenga’s signature on a marriage certificate to upgrade their customary union.

In April 2022, a Harare magistrate convicted and fined her $60,000, suspended 12 months of her sentence, and removed the option of community service due to ill health.

High Court judges of appeal Justices Benjamin Chikowero and Pisirai Kwenda dismissed her appeal, stating that the sentence imposed was wholly non-custodial and fell within the range set by Parliament. The Standard cites them as saying:

The trial court considered that the circumstances of the case called for the need to reform the appellant as well as to deter her and like-minded persons from committing similar offences.

The lower court found her guilty of knowingly making a false statement to then judge president George Chiweshe that Chiwenga had agreed to solemnise their marriage, which was not the case.

The court heard that Chief Magistrate now Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi offered himself as the marriage officer and travelled to the venue of the intended marriage to preside over the wedding, only to find that the supposed bride was attending to her husband in South Africa.

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At least 288 people have been killed and more than 850 others injured in a train accident involving three trains in India’s eastern state of Odisha, according to officials.

The death toll is expected to rise as more people are feared trapped inside the mangled train cars. Rescuers were cutting through iron compartments, and using sniffer dogs, in the search of survivors and bodies. On Saturday morning, the Indian army joined National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and other rescue teams to find survivors.

“We are not very hopeful of rescuing anyone alive,” Sudhanshu Sarangi, Odisha’s Fire Services Chief told reporters on Saturday morning.

Odisha’s Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said more than 200 ambulances were in service, shifting the injured to hospitals. The surge of dazed and bleeding victims overwhelmed small local hospitals which were not used to such a large influx of high-trauma patients.

Footage from the accident site showed bodies lined up on tracks and the injured being shifted to hospitals while rescuers desperately looked through the overturned and jumbled metal train compartments. The state government has announced a day of mourning. At least three trains were involved in the accident on Friday night. There is no official version of the sequence of events.

But according to local news media reports and eyewitnesses, a passenger train, the Coromandel Shalimar Express, derailed and hit stationery goods train at about 6:50 pm local time – resulting in many coaches flipping over. Then after about 20 minutes, the Yeshvantpur-Howrah Superfast train, approaching the accident site, rammed into the derailed coaches on the adjacent track.

“As I stepped out of the washroom, suddenly the train tilted,” passenger Vandana Kaleda told the Associated Press. “I lost my balance … Everything went topsy turvy. People started falling on each other and I was shocked and could not understand what happened. My mind stopped working.”

It’s not clear why a second train approaching the accident areas was not stopped in time. But the Indian Railways has launched an investigation into the accident.

Amidst opposition calls for his resignation, India’s Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called the accident “tragic” and said all focus, for now, remains on rescue and relief operations. He added that a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to find the cause of the accident. A separate investigation will be carried out by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, he said.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the crash site Saturday, said he was “distressed” by the accident and that in the “hour of grief” his “thoughts are with the bereaved families.” He has called a meeting of senior officials to review the situation, pledging “all possible assistance” for the victims.

The Railway Ministry has announced a compensation of about $12,200 for the families of the dead, $2,440 for the seriously injured, and $610 for those with minor injuries.

India has one of the largest railway networks in the world where an estimated 13 million people travel on trains every day. But despite recent huge investments in a bid to modernize, a large chunk of the country’s railway infrastructure is old and aging.

The latest train disaster is one of India’s worst in recent decades. In 1981, more than 800 people were killed when a passenger train derailed and fell into a river in the eastern state of Bihar during a cyclone. More than 300 people were killed in 1995 when Purushottam Express collided with a stationary train in central Uttar Pradesh state. In 2016, 152 people were killed when a passenger train derailed in the same state.

15 amnesty recipients were detained again for murder and robbery
At least 15 prisoners who were pardoned by the president last month for crimes like murder and armed robbery have since been caught again.

4 270 convicts nationwide were released from jail last month after having their sentences reduced.

The clemency decree was given by President Mnangagwa to improve living conditions and relieve congestion in the country’s jails.

Following a thorough procedure of vetting possible recipients, the prisoners were freed.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the spokesperson for the national police, said in an interview yesterday that a total of 15 people had been re-arrested across the nation.

“They were arrested for offences such as theft, unlawful entry and theft, stock theft, armed robbery and murder,” he said.

Of the 15, one was arrested in Harare for murder, two in Matabeleland South for armed robbery and one in Mashonaland West Province for stock theft. The rest were arrested for theft and unlawful entry.

Some of them have been convicted while others still have their cases pending before the courts.

A Harare man who recently benefited from the Presidential clemency is back behind bars after being sentenced to an effective one-year jail term for stealing blankets, an inverter and phones from a house in Borrowdale, Harare.

Brian James (23) was convicted of unlawful entry charges on his own plea of guilty by Harare magistrate Mrs Ethel Rutendo Chichera.

Initially, Mrs Chichera sentenced the unrepentant James to 15 months in jail, but suspended three months on condition of good behaviour.
The State proved that on May 21 at around 10.45am, Ms Amanda Nkobwe left home going to church, leaving all windows closed and doors locked.

Ms Nkobwe left the keys on the lower part of the roof, where she usually left them, just in case her house-mates returned home earlier

James confirmed to the court that he used the keys to unlock the doors after seeing Ms Nkobwe placing them on the roof.

As soon as Ms Nkobwe had left for church, James went to the house and took the keys from the roof, unlocked the door and entered the house.

A 123-year-old Kenya woman identified as Theresa Nyirakajumba has revealed that she turned down many men in her youth because of the culture that forbids seeing women with men and allows women to be introduced by their family but her family never introduced her.

Theresa, who is still a virgin and never had a sexual relationship with a man till her old age revealed that she was looking for the right man whom she would share a special connection with, unfortunately, she could not get one.

New Telegraph gathered that as at the time Theresa was ready for marriage, age was no longer on her side because she was already too old to be attracted to men.

According to her, she might have had children during her youth days, if she had been sexually intimate with a man.

She added that she is still hopeful to find a male companion at 123 years of age because she is tired of living a boring and lonely life.

“I never had a husband in my entire life. Yes of course I am still a virgin.. I would think of it during my era but I won’t take myself to any husband.

“My name is Theresa Nyirakajumba. I have never seen the nakedness of a man. For 123 years, I live with an unfulfilled desire, a deviant hope and a courageous spirit of waiting that one day a man will emerge and embrace my soul.

“At the moment, you can help me and bring me a man. When I was young I didnt want to associate with men and that prevented me from any potential relationship. I never developed a love for any man.”

Harare, Zimbabwe – Yesterday, the Harare Magistrates’ Court dealt with a case involving 55 street kids who were facing charges of loitering and engaging in disruptive activities within the Harare Central Business District (CBD). The minors, infamous for smoking glue and snatching belongings from pedestrians, were brought before the court to address their unruly behavior.

https://twitter.com/HeraldZimbabwe/status/1664291657691410435

The court proceedings shed light on the grim reality faced by a significant number of vulnerable children who find themselves living on the streets, struggling to survive without proper shelter, education, or support networks. The case sparked a broader conversation about the urgent need for social welfare programs and intervention to address the plight of these marginalized individuals.

According to witnesses, the children, were often seen loitering in the Harare CBD, begging for money, sniffing glue, and engaging in petty theft. Their activities not only disrupted the peaceful coexistence of residents but also posed a threat to their own safety.

The Harare City Council and various non-governmental organizations have been working together to combat the issue of street children in the capital city. However, the recent incident highlights the persistent challenges faced in effectively addressing this social problem.

The court case sparked a heated debate outside the courthouse, with some members of the public expressing sympathy for the children’s plight, while others called for stricter measures to deter their disruptive behavior. However, many acknowledged the importance of a balanced approach that combines punitive measures with rehabilitation and long-term solutions.

As the plight of these 55 street kids gained public attention, it serves as a sobering reminder of the need for concerted efforts from government bodies, NGOs, and the public to address the underlying issues contributing to the phenomenon of street children in Harare. Providing them with the necessary support and opportunities is crucial to ensuring a brighter future for these young individuals and creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Cape Town, South Africa – In a heartwarming gesture aimed at addressing the critical issue of menstrual hygiene, Apostle K donated 500 sanitary pads to school kids at Yellow Wood Primary School in Cape Town. The charitable event gained even more attention as it saw the presence of the renowned socialite, Mabrijo, who wholeheartedly supported the cause.

Menstrual hygiene management remains a significant challenge for many young girls in South Africa, often leading to absenteeism and hindering their education. Recognizing the importance of this issue, Apostle K took it upon himself to make a difference by providing the necessary resources for the students at Yellow Wood Primary School.

The event commenced with a brief introduction by the school principal, who expressed gratitude to Apostle K and Socialite Mabrijo for their invaluable contribution. She highlighted the immense impact that such an initiative would have on the students’ lives, emphasizing the significance of maintaining proper menstrual hygiene.

Apostle K, known for his philanthropic endeavors, took to the stage and addressed the gathering. He spoke passionately about the importance of empowering young girls and ensuring they have access to basic necessities. “No child should miss out on their education due to a lack of sanitary products. We must come together as a community to support these young girls, enabling them to pursue their dreams without any hindrances,” he stated.

As Apostle K’s speech resonated with the audience, Socialite Mabrijo joined him on stage, expressing her admiration for his efforts. Mabrijo, who is recognized for her influential presence in society, has actively participated in various charitable initiatives over the years. By collaborating with Apostle K, she demonstrated her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of young girls.

Following their speeches, Apostle K and Mabrijo distributed the sanitary pads among the students. The joy and gratitude on the faces of the recipients were evident, reflecting the immediate impact of this donation. The students expressed their heartfelt appreciation, with many acknowledging the significance of this act of kindness in ensuring their continuous attendance at school.

In addition to the sanitary pad distribution, the event featured informative sessions on menstrual health and hygiene. Trained professionals were present to educate the students about proper usage and disposal of sanitary pads, as well as addressing any related concerns. This comprehensive approach aimed to equip the students with knowledge and tools necessary for their long-term well-being.

The charitable gesture made by Apostle K and the presence of Socialite Mabrijo at Yellow Wood Primary School in Cape Town has generated a buzz of appreciation and admiration throughout the community. Their joint efforts have brought hope and relief to numerous young girls who struggle with menstrual hygiene challenges.

This philanthropic event serves as a reminder that by coming together and supporting vulnerable communities, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Apostle K and Socialite Mabrijo have set a remarkable example for others, inspiring us all to be compassionate and empathetic towards the less fortunate.

As the event concluded, Apostle K expressed his hope that this initiative would inspire others to take similar actions, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts in addressing the pressing issues faced by marginalized communities.

With the collaborative spirit displayed by Apostle K and Socialite Mabrijo, it is evident that their impactful contributions will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for positive change in society.