The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the convictions and sentences were handed down during the week ending 25 October.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the offenders had been convicted of various criminal offences.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police releases the names of persons who were arrested, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life for various offences during the week ending 25th October 2026,” Nyathi said.

Amos Nduna (35) was sentenced to life imprisonment for a murder committed in Chipinge on 5 May 2025, while Felix Siyatunya (48) received the same sentence for a murder committed in Mutare in 2023.

Moses Pandehuni (22) was jailed for 27 years for a murder committed in Shurugwi on 17 May 2026.

Lucia Chibhangu (27) also received a 27-year prison term for escaping from lawful custody, a series of robbery cases and unlawful possession of dangerous drugs in Masvingo between 8 and 14 August.

Other murder convictions resulted in lengthy jail terms, with Brian Chanachimwe (34) sentenced to 25 years for a killing in Waterfalls on 13 January.

Thirty-two-year-old Tinotenda Zambara was jailed for 23 years for a murder committed in Chitungwiza in 2025, while Simbarashe Chikoto (35)received 20 years for a killing in Mutoko on 5 August 2022.

Jonah Nekati (40) was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a murder committed in Waterfalls on 13 January 2026.

In separate cases, Japhet Dzviti (76) and Tichaona Chiduku (42) were each handed 15-year prison sentences for rape offences committed in Sadza in 2023.

Hope Korongwe (37) received a 12-year sentence for unlawful possession of 150kg of dagga in Beitbridge on 10 October 2026.

The courts also imposed 10-year prison terms on several offenders convicted of offences involving electricity infrastructure.

Donald Chatora (26) and Clive Mupare (33) were each sentenced to 10 years for offences under the Electricity Act committed in Chikanga on 6 October 2026.

Tinashe Marapira (35) and Yobbie Muzumba (26) also received 10 years each for similar offences in Masvingo.

Meanwhile, Givemore Moyo (35) was jailed for 10 years for stealing eight rolls of locomotive copper cables in Bulawayo on 9 September 2026.

Darlington Takudzwa (30) received the same sentence for cutting seven metres of underground Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) cables in Mabvuku on 10 October 2026.

The theft and vandalism of electricity and railway infrastructure can disrupt essential services and increase repair costs, affecting communities and businesses.

Nyathi urged members of the public to obey the law and report suspected criminal activity to the police.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to abide by the law and report suspected criminal activities to the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk,” he said.

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The national grant which runs until 2029 is expected to improve the country’s ability to detect public health threats early and respond more effectively with a focus on coordination between human, animal and environmental health services.

Speaking at the launch, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the programme, alongside a regional initiative covering eight countries would strengthen the country’s preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.

Zimbabwe will receive approximately US$2.49 million from the regional grant which is valued at US$35.8 million.

The initiative is backed by about US$49 million in development partner co-financing and US$91.8 million in government commitments bringing the total funding and co-investment to approximately US$155 million.

Mombeshora said previous cholera outbreaks and recurring measles cases had highlighted the need for effective surveillance and rapid intervention to prevent diseases from spreading.

He said Zimbabwe had strengthened its surveillance systems and approved an Ebola preparedness contingency fund although the country had not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases.

The programme is expected to improve coordination among health institutions and strengthen the country’s ability to respond to outbreaks before they escalate into wider public health emergencies.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said local authorities would play a central role in implementing the preparedness measures at community level.

He said councils were critical to environmental health management, community-based disease surveillance, public risk communication and enforcement of health regulations.

Garwe also called for improvements in waste management, access to clean water and community participation in maintaining hygienic environments.

“As the ministry responsible for local government and public works, our mandate is to ensure that national policy translates into global action, as we have the responsibility to deal with people living at a village level,” he said.

He said strengthening frontline systems was among the strategic priorities required to ensure communities were better prepared to identify and respond to health threats.

Garwe added that effective pandemic preparedness required a coordinated approach involving government institutions, communities and regional partners, backed by sustainable investment.

Pandemic Fund Executive Head Priya Basu said the programme was designed to build resilient public health systems capable of protecting communities beyond future pandemics.

She said the project would establish five public health emergency operations centres, strengthen laboratory capacity at national and sub-national levels, train more than 10,000 health professionals and reach up to two million people through community engagement and awareness programmes.

“The project will strengthen surveillance in early warning, including digital and community-based systems, environmental monitoring and cross-border collaboration,” Basu said.

She said the programme would also upgrade laboratories, with plans to strengthen five at national level and 20 at sub-national level.

The improvements are expected to enhance diagnostic testing, genomic sequencing, antimicrobial resistance testing and laboratory biosafety.

Basu said the Pandemic Fund’s contribution of more than US$14 million had helped mobilise additional resources, bringing total funding and co-investment for the initiative to approximately US$155 million.

She urged stakeholders to turn financial commitments into lasting improvements in public health systems, saying the programme’s success would ultimately depend on the country’s ability to detect threats earlier, respond effectively and save lives.

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Dhliwayo said the formation of a new politico-military coalition, the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) announced by Kabila on 12 October could transform the conflict in eastern DRC from a regional insurgency into a broader struggle over political legitimacy.

The coalition which Dhliwayo says replaces the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 movement, reportedly includes Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Sultani Makenga and Kaniki as Kabila’s deputies.

Kabila’s political comeback follows his September 2025 death sentence in absentia for treason and alleged support for the AFC/M23 rebellion.

According to Dhliwayo, the development presents significant challenges for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which has been involved in efforts to restore peace in the conflict-hit country.

“Kabila’s return shifts the conflict from a peripheral rebellion to a national legitimacy contest, directly undermining the merged Luanda-Nairobi mediation framework,” Dhliwayo said.

He identified three immediate risks for SADC: fragmentation of mediation efforts, defections from the Congolese armed forces and escalating regional tensions involving Rwanda.

Dhliwayo argued that the regional bloc should move away from prioritising military intervention towards political mediation and negotiations involving the main actors in the conflict.

He said Kabila’s return was driven by several factors, including the collapse of a power-sharing coalition between 2019 and 2020, President Félix Tshisekedi’s post-2024 constitutional reform agenda which critics perceive as a possible attempt to extend his rule and the shrinking of political space following judicial action against the former president.

The developments have coincided with a security vacuum in eastern DRC following the withdrawal of the East African Community Regional Force in 2023 and the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2025.

Dhliwayo said the security vacuum had created conditions that could allow Kabila to establish a political base in the eastern city of Goma.

He warned that the emergence of the FRN could complicate existing negotiations involving the Doha process, United States-led mediation and the merged Luanda-Nairobi framework.

The coalition’s formation raises questions about who should be recognised as a legitimate participant in the peace process, potentially reopening agreements on ceasefires, disarmament and political inclusion.

“The existing multiple concurrent mediation initiatives, marked by competing mediator interests and poor strategic coordination, will be further complicated by Kabila’s return,” Dhliwayo said.

He said the FRN could also alter the narrative surrounding the conflict which has largely been framed as a Rwanda-backed rebellion led by M23.

With a former president at its helm, the new coalition could present itself as a national political movement rather than simply an armed rebellion increasing pressure on regional leaders to engage it politically.

Dhliwayo said this would place SADC in a difficult position, given that some regional leaders have historical ties to Kabila while countries such as South Africa and Angola have invested politically in Tshisekedi’s administration.

He added that East African Community members particularly Rwanda and Uganda have historically viewed Kabila as more accommodating to their regional security concerns than Tshisekedi.

The competing interests risk reviving divisions reminiscent of the 1998-2003 Congo wars when regional countries supported opposing sides in the conflict.

“Kabila cannot be avoided. He needs to be engaged,” Dhliwayo said.

He called for the immediate harmonisation of the Doha, United States-led and Luanda-Nairobi mediation processes into a single contact group with a common position on the FRN’s status.

Dhliwayo also urged mediators to move beyond viewing the conflict through a simple distinction between the government and armed opposition, arguing that a structured assessment of the various actors and their grievances was necessary to achieve a sustainable settlement.

He said negotiations should address concerns surrounding Tshisekedi’s constitutional reform agenda and establish safeguards to prevent further political polarisation.

At the same time, Dhliwayo warned that the security vacuum in Goma needed to be addressed through basic services, community outreach, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes as well as inter-community dialogue.

He said the control of mineral-rich border areas by armed groups had deepened the economic interests sustaining the conflict.

“Through mediation, it is of paramount importance to negotiate mineral traceability and revenue-sharing provisions early to prevent the FRN consolidation,” he said.

Dhliwayo urged SADC to preserve its credibility as a guarantor of constitutional order without becoming entrenched in the DRC conflict.

He said Article 11 of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation provided a basis for prioritising peaceful methods of resolving regional crises, including preventive diplomacy, negotiation, conciliation and mediation.

He called on the SADC Summit to initiate a strategic review of its former military mission in the DRC and develop a transition plan towards a political mediation mission.

He also proposed reallocating part of the former mission’s budget to support diplomatic engagement and shuttle diplomacy.

The regional bloc, he said, should deploy political envoys to engage Kabila and the FRN, Rwanda and Tshisekedi, with the aim of securing guarantees that would allow dialogue to proceed.

Dhliwayo further called for a confidential envoy to be sent to the DRC to explore security guarantees for Kabila, including safe passage and protection against arbitrary prosecution, as a possible precondition for negotiations.

However, he stressed that such engagement should be accompanied by a clear call for a return to constitutional politics rather than armed rebellion.

“The emerging confrontation requires operationalising the primacy of political solutions as enshrined in Article 11 of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,” Dhliwayo said.

He argued that treating the FRN merely as a rebranded AFC/M23 would risk reducing a complex political crisis to a military problem.

The challenge for regional leaders, he said is to establish an inclusive negotiating framework that addresses the DRC’s internal political grievances while preventing the conflict from triggering wider regional instability.

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In a letter gleaned by this publication, party members raised concerns over the alleged failure to convene formal party meetings, the handling of government funding and appointments to key leadership positions.

They accused Tshabangu of personalising the party and disregarding its constitution, which he said required major decisions to be made collectively through established party organs.

“It is with a heavy heart that we address you CCC party champions through this media platform updating you on goings-on within the people’s party that has sadly been personalized by one individual who unilaterally make decisions that require the collective or party organs as enshrined in the party constitution,” read the letter.

They said, as of last year, Tshabangu had not formally convened a meeting involving other party organs and departments with invitations issued and minutes recorded.

The dispute also centres on the distribution of funds allocated to political parties by the government they said (last year) the government had released more than ZiG25.3 million, equivalent to about US$1.4 million, in political party funding in April 2025, but alleged that the party’s national finance committee had not met to oversee or determine how the money should be distributed.

“As a department we are constitutionally mandated to sit in the National finance committee that oversees or determines the distribution of these funds but that never happened,” they said.

The party memnber demanded the immediate and transparent release of the money to provincial and district structures to support party programmes and also called for a clear record of how the funds had been spent arguing that public funding should be subject to accountability requirements.

The allegations add another layer to the divisions within the CCC which has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership dispute following Tshabangu’s emergence as interim secretary-general.further accused the party leadership of making appointments that, in his view, risked undermining regional representation.

He pointed to the concentration of several senior parliamentary positions among politicians from Matabeleland, including the leader of the opposition, the Senate chief whip, the National Assembly chief whip and the leader of the women’s caucus.

“It’s not just a mere coincidence that the Leader of Opposition is from MATEBELELAND, the Senate Chief Whip is from MATEBELELAND, the National Assembly Chief Whip is from MATEBELELAND, the Woman’s Caucus leader in Parliament is again from MATEBELELAND,” they wrote.

“We need to balance all provinces and as the Organising department we ought to be fully consulted before such crucial and strategic appointments are done.”

The letter also renewed calls for the appointment of an interim presidium arguing that the party needed a properly constituted leadership to function effectively.

He said the organising department had a constitutional responsibility to oversee the establishment of party structures and would consult members on suitable candidates to fill key leadership positions until a congress was held.

“Interim Presidium appointments is long overdue. We want to build an institution that will outlive us,” he said.

“Political parties just like human beings operate effectively when all its body organs are there, we cannot continue to be a party that operates from the intestines without the head and brains.”

The latest dispute comes amid reports that Susan Matsunga has been appointed interim national organiser while Evans Ndaba has reportedly been named interim deputy national organiser.

Sources cited in the reports alleged that the appointments were made without an internal democratic process further fuelling concerns about Tshabangu’s leadership and control of party structures.

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The call was made during an online discussion hosted by the Masvingo Centre for Research and Advocacy (MACRAD) in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Constitutional Movement last week.

A report released by MACRAD said the discussion focused on the human rights implications of land displacements, the vulnerability of rural communities facing eviction and the need for transparent and inclusive land governance.

“Stakeholders who participated in the X Spaces discussion called for urgent action to address forced evictions, protect community land rights and safeguard the safety, livelihoods and dignity of affected communities,” the report said.

Masvingo is among the provinces where the displacement of villagers from land they have occupied and depended on for generations has been reported.

The discussion brought together human rights advocates, social justice activists and civil society representatives including Nyasha Machirori of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, social justice activist Tendai Reuben Mbofana, Ephraim Mtombeni of the Masvingo Centre for Research and Development and Francis Mukora of the Community Alliance for Human Settlements.

Participants raised concerns about evictions linked to commercial agriculture, infrastructure and other development projects arguing that economic investment should respect constitutional protections and the rights of affected communities.

The report said land-related decisions must comply with the Constitution, applicable laws and international human rights obligations.

It also called for assessments of the social and economic consequences of proposed developments before their implementation to prevent affected families from losing their livelihoods or being left destitute.

Community consultation emerged as another key concern with stakeholders saying villagers should have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their land and future.

“Consultation must go beyond informing communities of decisions that have already been made. It should provide genuine opportunities for communities to influence outcomes and explore alternatives to displacement,” the report said.

The report further called for stronger accountability mechanisms where land allocations, evictions or development projects allegedly result in human rights violations.

It said communities facing displacement should have access to legal assistance, independent human rights monitoring and effective remedies when their rights are violated.

Public institutions, traditional leaders and other stakeholders were urged to ensure that land governance processes are lawful, transparent and consistent with constitutional protections.

The discussion also highlighted concerns about the safety of human rights defenders including community leaders, grassroots activists and civil society organisations working to protect land rights.

According to the report, such individuals should be able to document alleged abuses, organise communities and advocate for justice without intimidation, harassment or retaliation.

The report argued that development should be assessed not only by the scale of investment or the economic value of projects, but also by their effects on people’s lives, security and dignity.

“Communities should not be treated as obstacles to development. They must be recognised as rights holders and active participants in decisions concerning their land and future,” it said.

The stakeholders called on the Government, local authorities, traditional leaders, investors, human rights institutions and development partners to take practical measures to prevent unlawful evictions, protect livelihoods and ensure accountability.

They also urged civil society organisations to maintain engagement with affected communities and strengthen collaboration with relevant authorities to pursue constructive solutions to land disputes.

The report concluded that land was more than an economic asset describing it as a foundation of livelihood, identity, dignity and community survival.

“The future of development in Masvingo Province must be one in which investment and human rights protection advance together, and no community is denied dignity, justice or meaningful participation in decisions that determine its future,” the report said.

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Police said some of the remains had been at the mortuary for several years, raising concerns over delays in identification and burial.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi appealed to families with missing relatives to visit the hospital mortuary and assist with the identification process.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to members of the public whose next of kin’s remains are being held at Kwekwe General Hospital Mortuary to come forward for identification, completion of the necessary documentation and collection for dignified burial,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

Those listed include Menfree Takawira whose remains have been at the mortuary for approximately two years and Munyaradzi M, from Gokwe South whose remains have been held there for about four years.

Also on the list is Benjamin Ncube, the husband of Sharon Chikwari from Chegutu whose remains have reportedly been at the mortuary for approximately two years.

Police are also seeking relatives of Baby Talent from Wishlee Farm whose remains have been held at the facility for about a year, and Blessing Nyama of Alarm 2 Mine, whose remains were taken to the mortuary on August 8, 2026.

Meanwhile, the police said nine unidentified bodies brought to the mortuary between April and September this year were still awaiting identification.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to the public who have missing relatives or loved ones to visit Kwekwe General Hospital Mortuary and make enquiries regarding nine unidentified bodies currently being held at the hospital,” Commissioner Nyathi said.

Police urged anyone with information that could help identify the deceased to contact Kwekwe General Hospital Mortuary or report to their nearest police station.

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The decision brings an abrupt end to Mapeza’s tenure at the ambitious Harare-based club, which had hoped to make a strong impression in its maiden campaign in Africa’s premier club competition.

Mapeza’s dismissal follows Scottland’s 3-0 defeat to Angolan giants Petro de Luanda in the second leg of their second preliminary-round tie on Friday which saw the Zimbabwean champions lose 3-2 on aggregate despite winning the first leg 2-0.

The defeat proved costly for the Mabvuku-based club, which had entered the return leg in Angola with a commanding advantage after second-half goals from Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona secured a 2-0 first-leg victory.

Petro de Luanda overturned the deficit through goals from Ruben Aderito, Jorge Perreira and Pedro Aparicio with the decisive strike arriving in the 85th minute.

Two of the Angolan side’s goals came from corner kicks, exposing defensive weaknesses that Mapeza acknowledged after the match.

“We failed to defend those set-pieces. They got two goals from corner kicks. We could have done better,” Mapeza said, pointing to poor organisation and communication among his defenders.

The former Warriors coach had joined Scottland in November 2025 after leaving FC Platinum, having been tasked with guiding the club to domestic success and establishing it as a competitive force on the continental stage.

His departure also comes amid pressure on Scottland in the domestic league, where the defending champions have faced competition from Hardrock FC in the race for the title.

However, reports of his dismissal indicate that the club has yet to issue a detailed official statement explaining the decision or confirming who will take over the coaching role.

The immediate focus will now shift to how Scottland respond to the coaching change as they seek to revive their domestic campaign following the disappointment of their early continental exit.

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Milder Madyembeu was arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred at Siachitondo Village in Kauzhumba on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Madyembeu allegedly assaulted the boy, Nico Mujoni after he failed to understand concepts being taught to him.

“The suspect allegedly assaulted his eight-year-old nephew, Nico Mujoni with a Mopane stick after the victim had failed to master concepts which the suspect was teaching him during a homework study session. The child later succumbed to the injuries sustained,” Nyathi said.

The government has banned corporal punishment in schools, but cases of children suffering serious injuries during punishment at home have also been reported.

In a similar case earlier this year, a 28-year-old man from Zvishavane was sentenced to an effective seven years in prison over the death of his six-year-old niece.

Takudzwa Wellington Chimutso, of Village Kosvoro under Chief Masunda was convicted of culpable homicide by the High Court sitting in Gweru.

The court heard that Chimutso had been teaching his niece Praise Tsomeka to write her name on the evening of 19 January 2026.

When the child struggled to understand the lesson, he allegedly struck her repeatedly with mopane and muchekesani switches.

The assault continued the following day as he attempted to teach her vowels and writing again.

Frustrated by her failure to grasp the lesson Chimutso allegedly took a sjambok from behind a bed and beat her several times across her body.

A witness who attempted to intervene was reportedly warned not to interfere with Chimutso saying the matter concerned him and his niece.

The child remained in severe pain throughout the night as her condition deteriorated and she struggled to breathe.

On 21 January, Chimutso and the witness took her to a shrine before eventually rushing her to Zvishavane Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police recovered the sjambok and wooden switches believed to have been used in the assault.

Chimutso was sentenced to nine years in prison, but two years were suspended, leaving him to serve an effective seven years.

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The building came down at about 13:00 local time on Friday along a busy commercial street in Eastleigh, an area frequented by thousands of traders and residents.

Images from the scene showed several floors crushed on top of one another, complicating efforts to reach anyone who may have been trapped beneath the rubble.

Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 upper floors under construction.

Rescue operations were further complicated by unrest in the surrounding area, with police firing tear gas at people allegedly looting nearby shops as officers attempted to secure the scene and allow emergency teams to work.

It was not immediately clear how many people were inside the building when it collapsed or whether there were any confirmed fatalities.

Joseph Kaula, a plasterer who was working on the fifth floor, said he narrowly escaped after hearing screams and seeing fellow workers rushing towards the exits.

He said workers were shouting warnings that the building was collapsing, prompting him to flee.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about construction safety in Nairobi, where rapid urban development has increased pressure on building standards and regulatory oversight.

Rescue teams continued efforts to search the rubble for survivors amid fears that workers and other people could still be trapped beneath the debris.

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