Crime and Courts
Zhoya Gets 12 Months Behind Bars Over Abuse of Office
The Harare Magistrates’ Court has jailed Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Aspindale Depot Supply Chain Manager, Obert Safuli Zhoya (58), for criminal abuse of office. He was handed a 24-month sentence, with 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective year in prison.
The conviction relates to a fraudulent scheme in May 2025, where Zhoya attempted to dispose of 599 bags of Compound D Superfert fertiliser under the pretext that the stock had been written off. The fertiliser, which had been moved from GMB Sadza Depot to Mt Hampden Depot in May 2024, was actually meant for the government’s grain-for-fertiliser swap programme.
Working in collusion with Madamara Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Zhoya sold the consignment for just USD $600 — effectively $1 per 50kg bag — when its true market value was over USD $19,000.
Court papers revealed that he directed GMB clerks and assistants to produce falsified receipts and deposit the proceeds into the parastatal’s account to disguise the transaction as genuine.
The fraud came to light when the Mt Hampden Depot Manager conducted stock verification and discovered that the fertiliser was still in usable condition and that no official disposal records existed. Subsequent investigations confirmed the product was not written off and remained reserved for farmers under the national programme.
Zhoya’s conviction adds to his tainted record. In 2022, while serving as secretary general of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) referees committee, he was banned from football activities for five years and fined 20,000 Swiss francs by FIFA. The sanction followed complaints from three female referees who accused him of sexual harassment.
FIFA’s ethics committee ruled that he had “abused his position,” following reports escalated by the ZIFA board to the continental and international football bodies, including CAF and COSAFA. Police only opened a formal investigation into the matter in December 2021.
Crime and Courts
Illegal miner jailed 5 years for gold worth USD 12
A Ruwa man will rue the day after he defied the cultural day (Chisi) and went on to illegally pan gold at a mine shaft after he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 0.096 grammes of the metal.
According to court records Tafadzwa Matsika (45) was sentenced to five years in prison for the illegal possession of gold.
NPA said Matsika was arrested on the 20 August 2025 at Greencroft mining compound mine after officials received information that someone was illegally panning for gold on cultural day of rest known as (Chisi).
“Mine officials tracked his spoor from a mining shaft to a nearby compound where they confronted the offender.
“Matsika produced a sachet of toasted gold weighing 0.096 grammes from his pocket but could not produce a mining license or permit.”
Crime and Courts
Police Deploy Breathalysers and Speed Cameras Ahead of Festive Season
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will this weekend begin deploying breathalysers and speed cameras on major highways as part of a nationwide campaign to curb drunk driving and speeding, two leading causes of road fatalities.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona said the new technology will allow officers to deal “directly and scientifically” with reckless drivers. “This is about restoring discipline on our roads,” Mhona said. “These measures will reduce accidents and enhance public safety.”
The rollout marks Zimbabwe’s first large-scale use of modern road enforcement tools. It coincides with the introduction of a new fleet of Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) vehicles, which will strengthen inspections and ensure vehicles are certified fit for the road.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged motorists to exercise caution, drive responsibly, and avoid unnecessary risks. “Road safety is a collective responsibility. Vehicles must be serviced and certified fit to be on the road,” he said.
The initiative comes as authorities brace for increased travel and festive season traffic, a period historically associated with high accident rates.
Crime and Courts
Meru service station robbed 9K
Four armed robbers outfoxed security personnel manning Kwekwe Meru service station before they blew up a safe and fled with over USD 9 000.
National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying investigations are underway.
He said the robbery occurred on 17 November 2025 at Meru service station Kwekwe. “Four armed men approached a Fawcett officer who was on duty and forced him to lie on the ground.
“They tied his hands and legs before dragging him into the building.
“A second Fawcett officer ran into the building and was also caught while attempting to notify the Fawcett Reaction Team,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He said the suspects tied his hands and legs. and dragged him into the same room where the other Fawcett officer was being held.
“The suspects then forced their way into the second room, where three officers were asleep and tied the officers as well.
“They blasted a wall-mounted safe and seized USD 9 700.”
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