Jumbos trample cop to death

There was an unusual noise that could be heard outside the tent which is a base for the ZRP Support Unit, Mutare Central and members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) 3.3 Reserve Force Battalion in Chipinge who are on border patrol duties along the porous Mozambique – Zimbabwe border. 

Deployed there was Sierra Troop from Changadzi District.

The late Constable Prince Dambe (24) of ZRP Support Unit Changadzi Sierra Troop was also with others relaxing on their makeshift beds clad in his uniform – the riot blues. But the noise outside their camp called for some investigation as it was unusual and had been heard quite some time.

“It sounded as if somebody was touching the roof of the tent,” said one of the base mates in a statement.

The first thought that came in the mind of the tent occupants was that some people were up to no good and they had to investigate.

The ZNA Corporal Kudakwashe Maizivei who was part of the crew decided to check the source of the noise. He used the light on his cell phone and then opened the flap of the tent to look outside and only to come face to face with the huge mammals right in front of him at the entrance of the tent.

The light might have also frightened the elephants as they trumpeted and the corporal made good his escape through the side of the tent injuring his leg in the process. He warned the late Constable Dambe before running towards his other colleagues who were seated by the fire some 15m away from the tent and together they all fled in a northwesterly direction into the bush.

The late Constable Dambe whose bed was the furthest from the entrance at the back of the tent had first taken the warning call as a hoax since elephants had never come there whilst they were on duty later escaped through the side of the tent and made good his escape southwards following the military track that passes through the base towards Forbes Border Post.

The elephants later left the camp and walked in a south-westerly direction down an adjacent vehicle track and showed no interest either in pursuing the colleagues and Cst Dambe. From the tracks and signs later followed by Park and Wildlife Management officials and the police officers at the scene concluded that Cst Dambe, having run down the military track, decided to go back to their sub-base using a footpath ran straight into the two elephants that had later diverted the route to go towards the military track coming in the opposite direction.

But the late Constable Dambe’s colleagues never thought such could happen as they after regrouping, found him to be missing.

Sergeant Francis Mapako who was the Rimayi Base Commander at the time of the attack says they only heard the elephants trumpeting thrice after they had left their base.

“I think that is the time they were attacking our colleague he reminiscences. Instead we feared that he might have crossed into Mozambique and got captured given that he was putting on a uniform,” says Mapako.

 “We made several searches in the area at first light the following morning and still his spore somehow vanished at some point along a footpath. That is when Corporal Maizivei climbed further on the hill and found his lifeless body about 500 metres away from the sub-base where he had intended to go.”

The death of Constable Prince Dambe of ZRP Support Unit Changadzi District will forever be etched in the minds of his colleagues as it came in a most gruesome and unusual way.

Even when The Outpost visited the camp in Mutare, his colleagues were yet to come to terms with the tragedy which took which robbed the police of a young police officer who was just two months in marriage.

Troop Commander Sierra Troop, Inspector Lucky Phiri says it was difficult to accept what transpired on the day in question.

“The young man died a painful death and the scene of the incident resembled a battlefield with blood all over the area. You could not take a second look at the body as he had several injuries on the head, ribs, and legs. He was semi-naked with some of his apparels –riot jacket and trousers in tatters,” recalls Inspector Phiri.

“The incident was just unfortunate, added Insp Phiri. “Initially the late Cst Dambe had been very safe only to run into them after he decided to use the short cut to our sub-base on the other side of the mountain. He must have been very tired when he ran into them given that he had run for almost two to three kilometers to the point where he was attacked,” he said.

According to a press statement issued by Cecil Kop Nature Reserve Management, which is headed by Mike Histchmann, the two elephants had escaped from the Thompsons Vlei Section of Cecil Kop Nature Reserve through a place where there were two flexible electric wires.

 “These two wires had been removed by unknown persons probably close to or just after dark on 18 July 2017. … we are assuming that the wires were removed by smugglers who frequent that specific path from Mozambique and who have been creating havoc with our eastern border fence line for some time,” read the statement in part.

According to the spore, it is said the two elephants walked down the military track which is used for patrols along the border in a southerly direction for around 2km before stopping outside the Rimayi Base Camp where members from ZRP Support Unit, Mutare Central and ZNA Members were based.

Meanwhile, the two elephants were shot by the state wildlife authority after the animals were classified as problem animals. The meat was harvested and sold through local butcheries and the income both from the sale of the meat and their hides will be ploughed back into Cecil Kop Nature Reserve.

The late Cst Dambe was born on 24 November 1993 in Buhera District. He did his education at Murambinda B in Murambinda before proceeding to Kwenda Mission in Hwedza. 

He was attested in the force on 3 October 2013 trained for six months in Morris Depot whereupon his completing of training, he was posted to Support Unit where he furthered his training and was posted to Sierra Troop in July 2014. He has been stationed there since then and was doing border patrol duties, anti-smuggling, escorts, public order management, anti-smuggling, guard duties among many other police duties.

He was described as a principled young man who was dedicated to his duties.

“The late Constable Dambe was a principled young man who was devoted and dedicated to his duties, the gap left by member will be difficult to fill not only to his family but to the organization.

“His death shocked everyone  in the district, we hope time will play its curative role and give us strength during this dark hour,” said Acting Officer Commanding Support Unit Changadzi District, Superintendent Fredrick Mutandwa in a eulogy he read on behalf of the Commissioner-General of Police.

Cst Dambe was laid to rest in Dambe Village, Chief Nyashanu, Buhera District.

Police Band reminisce their partnership Cde Chinx

…as revolutionary musician passes on

By Robert Zvidza

Spotting a beret which was a trademark, one would never mistake Cde Chinx whenever they met him in town. On giving his complements, he would give a salute and remark ‘Varidzi venyika” to mean the owners of the land. 

This is what the late revolutionary music giant and Liberation warfighter Dick Chingaira was commonly known for.

“Whether he knew you or not, when he is greeted, he would greet you as if he has known you for years,” said Assistant Inspector Onisimo Hwekete of ZRP Police Band who is one of the police officers who worked with the late musician and freedom fighter.

At the age of 61, CDE Chinx succumbed to cancer and died at a local hospital.

That booming voice which sang for the comrades during the second Chimurenga war and continued to inspire the nation during the third chimurenga when the nation embarked on the Fast Track Land Reform Programme will be greatly missed as it has been silenced by cruel death.

Indeed when death stalks, music stops to play.

The nation will miss this man and the ZRP family through the Police Band will forever miss the interactions with the humble and sociable man who took everything as it came.

The Outpost magazine traced the remaining members of the Police Band who worked with the late veteran freedom fighter and musician to recollect how the union between the two forces was merged.

This is the story.

In early March 2001, there was a graduation parade at Morris Depot which was officiated by the then Minister of Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo.

After his speech, he proceeded to the Regimental Mess in Morris Depot to listen to what was then referred to as "tea music."

Like they have done always, the Police Band charmed the professor and he was convinced the band was the best band to partner Cde Chinx and Marko Sibanda for the Hondo Yeminda project.

According to some of the people involved in the project, the news was received with mixed feelings given the heightened political activity at that time when the farms where given back the blacks but somehow, the project was given thumbs up.

Cde. Chinx is said to have come along with two backing vocalists Emma Chihota and Ntombizodwa Mangota (his second wife). On the other hand Cde. Marko with whom the Police Band recorded one song- Amasimu sesiwathethe - came alone. 

The Police Band lineup was fronted by the then Assistant Inspector now Chief Inspector Elias Sungiso (bass guitar) the late Inspector Promise John Zvidande popularly known as Bla Kirks (keyboards /bass guitar), Gift Masinyani (tenor and alto sax), Assistant Inspector Onisimo Hwekwete (trumpet), Assistant Inspector Costa Songo (lead guitar), Harrison Mbewe (Rhythm guitar), Sergeant Major Noel Bakili (keyboards) and ex-sergeant Wellington Mareva (drums and percussion). Constables Emma Chihota, Ntombizodwa Mangota and the late Maud Mushowe provided backing vocals.

Of this cast only Hwekwete, Songo, Bakili are still with the band while the others have since transferred and others are late. Inspectors Weston Chimbudzi (Bass) and Pedzisayi Alfero would later join the team on tours and shows.

According to Ex-Sergeant Mareva it took one week to compose and perfect 20 songs and they later went to the studio (shed studios).

“We were under pressure to finish the project within the stipulated time.  Recording, mixing and mastering took exactly one and a half weeks. We used to sleep in the studio 24/7 and the producer Isaac Chirwa was very patient and he worked with the band well.  We sometimes had arguments in the studio but in the end we came to an agreement and that's how professional people work.  The end result was Hondo Yeminda Vol. 1 and 2,” said Ex-Sergeant Mareva in an interview.

Cde Chinx, Marko Sibanda and the singing cops pioneered Third Chimurenga in music.  It was dangerous during that time because opposition parties were on the rampage assaulting anybody who supported the land redistribution programme.  At one time it was reported that one of the vocalists on Hondo yeminda – Ntombizodwa - was badly beaten by a certain political party youths for appearing on television singing those revolutionary songs.

The late Andy Brown, The late Simon Chimbetu and Cdes Max Mapfumo and Sister Flame should also be given credit for coming  out in support of the Third Chimurenga through song.

After releasing the albums, the team traveled all over the country shooting videos, and that marked the beginning of history. Hondo Yeminda became an anthem and no song (revolutionary) came closer to this song in the 21st century.

That was Cde Chinx which the Police Band knew, an inspired musician whose compositions were prophetic, a brave comrade who did not shy away from what he believed. A motivator even on his hospital bed where he would try and remove the worry in those who visited him. His patriotism was never questionable; he remained straight forward in what he believed even when things were not that right.

The Deputy Director Music, Superintendent Taizivei Zinyandu said that Cde Chinx was good at composing music that had messages to the masses during the liberation war and after independence. He said as Police Band, they were grateful to the Commissioner General of Police for allowing them to work with the great comrade and musician.

“We are very proud to have been accorded the opportunity to work with him because we are part of the history that he made. He left us a legacy that we will pass on to the next generation. We are worried that there is no one like him anymore among our musicians, somebody who shares the same mind as him.

“He taught us the spirit of camaraderie, the virtues of patriotism, discipline, and loyalty which as a band continues to guide us at the moment. On behalf of the Director Music, Chief Superintendent Fungai Marange, the Police Band Family, and indeed my own behalf I would like to pass my condolences to the Chingaira family for the loss of a loving father. May his soul rest in peace,” said Supt Zinyandu. 

Yes Cde Chinx might not be with us today or forever but his works will live forever.

Chief Mapungwana speaks on ritual crimes in Chipinge

“…even those we don’t expect to be doing it are involved”

Chipinge Rural Police Station normally leads the police stations in Chipinge District in cases of murder and rape. The area concerned is covered by a Police Post named Grassflats with three chiefs under it – Chief Mapungwana, Musikavanhu and Gwenzi.

Most murders occurring in this area are always treated suspiciously with most of them being linked to rituals.

This is because some people believe in consulting traditional healers for various issues like wealth and riches.

In 2012, The Outpost once reported of a case where six family members were murdered in Chief Mapungwana’s area before being bundled into a hut which was later burnt to cover up the gory crime. It had to take the meticulous officers who attended the scene that saw blood outside the hut and smelt a rat which later had the case treated as murder. It was ritually related.

 In another case, a lady was arrested after killing her own son before violating the body by removing ears to give to a traditional healer.

There is also a tale of one traditional healer who is said to have entered into Zimbabwe after escaping the custody of Mozambican Police. The traditional healer was said to have been found in possession of human body parts including skulls. He is said to have disappeared after the local police started investigating the allegations.

The traditional healer was also blamed for the increase of ritual murders before his escape. However, the cases continue to be received despite his escape.

The Outpost news reporters Robert Zvidza and Clemency Takawira (TO) were in Chipinge recently where they talked to Chief Mapungwana born Anias Mapungwana (CM), one of the chiefs that oversee part of the area covered by Chipinge Rural Police Station. Chief Mapungwana a member of the ZRP Chipinge Rural Crime Consultative Committee (CCC) and also a member of the Chief’s Council.

Below are the excerpts from the interview.

TO: What’s your comment on cases of murder and rape occurring in your area of jurisdiction?

CM: Most murders are indeed ritually related and we always talk about it. Long back we used to hear stories of grinding mills talking in the voice of the person who will have been killed saying “am now tired” but it’s different nowadays. We thought as people get educated and more civilized the practice would end but it’s not ending. Everyone is doing it including those people we don’t expect to be doing that - the teachers, graduates, and even church people- being involved. People are refusing to learn and are giving others nightmares. You might make money, yes, for a very short period, but the repercussions are fatal and as people try to appease the spirits more such crimes occur as a result.

TO: What about Rape?

CM: There are those myths and beliefs that people are advised by traditional healers which cause these cases for example when a man with 14 wives goes on to rape a 3-year old. It's baffling because we can’t say the man was sexually starved. There is obviously an ultra motive which is driven by beliefs or instructions from somewhere.

They are doing it for many reasons; wealthy, promotions, or curing of certain diseases on the advice of traditional healers.

TO: What are you doing as chiefs to discourage such incidents in your area?

CM: We are trying to spread the messages. I am a member of the Chiefs Council and we hold departmental meetings with magistrates and other stakeholders where these cases are being talked about. As member of the CCC, we also discuss crime related issues as a committee and we pass the resolutions and messages to the people when I chair my meetings with headmen, village heads, and councilors as well as Non-Governmental Organisations operating in our area. We always encourage them to preach the gospel of anti-crime. It is helpful a lot as sometimes we don’t have such cases reported in our area.

TO: What do you think can be done to improve service delivery by the police?

CM: First of all there should be more police officers in the rural areas where the majority of the people are. That is where most crimes are committed. You find that a few police officers cover large areas for example here at Chako Business Centre, there are two police officers at any given time of which one remains manning the base and the other attending scenes. What will happen when three cases are reported at once? It becomes a challenge as well given that they are also not mobile.

There is also this concept of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee which the police have. This is a very noble programme and it helps a lot in reaching far localities. But them being family men, they just need a token of appreciation so that their services are not limited it will instead improve. Lack of these incentives sometimes may lead to corrupt tendencies by these members because they know they are very far from the station, when they make an arrest, it is easy for them to release the accused person for a small bribe.

TO: As traditional leaders how are you relating to the local police?

CM: We are relating very well with the local police and sometimes we discuss with the District command, station, and recently, the Officer Commanding Province was here to visit me. I also talk to the guys manning our Police Base and Post at all the times.

TO: What challenges do you have as a chief whose jurisdiction includes the borderline?

CM: It’s really difficult as I always having new people as people come and go willy nilly. There has been inter-marriages between those from the other side and from our side and I am afraid some of these strange cases committed here are influenced by the way people on the other side live their lives. While marrying a minor this end is a crime, the other side you find girls as young as 12 starting families. So when we send messages to the people, our messages fall on deaf ears as we continue to have new people in my area.

The problem of the border has not affected us alone but even the police as culprits easily jump the border and go to Mozambique and others to South Africa.

Differing religious belief also affects us as chiefs. When such heinous crimes occurred in the past, we had traditional ways of cleansing the area but owing to different religious beliefs some now don’t attend such ceremonies however, we found out those who are perpetrators of such crimes had a tendency of hiding behind church beliefs and white garments. This means we will continue going back and forth. They no longer appease avenging spirits even if they commit such crimes.

TO: Chief, what are your last words

CM: Crime is there and some of it is going unreported and as such police should check with village heads, headmen and chiefs for they know what is happening in their communities. Police should also attend meetings and speak to the traditional leaders because we may leave some important things when it’s us who talk about crime.

TO: Thank you for your time Chief

CM: Thank you