When Steward Ganda fell ill, his family hoped he would recover quietly at home. Like millions of Zimbabweans without health insurance, the 60-year-old tuck shop owner from Kambuzuma tried to endure severe leg pain without medical care, believing hospital treatment was simply out of reach.

Villagers in parts of Masvingo Province have erupted in protest after reports emerged that Chief Gutu (Lawrence Chigariro) ordered village heads under his jurisdiction to contribute US$10 each to a fund described as Zunde raMambo, a traditional communal grain or welfare initiative. The directive, conveyed by Headman Gadzingo at a meeting held at Runyowa Business Center, reportedly affects more than 100 village heads and could generate sums that critics say are being treated a

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), in partnership with Lupane State University, has launched a community‑based research initiative to tackle the poisonous plant Dichapetalum cymosum, locally known as Umkhawuzane, after farmers reported significant livestock losses linked to the species.

The trial of Walter Magaya, leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, on new rape charges is scheduled to run from 16 to 19 February, and is expected to attract intense public attention. Magaya, currently in detention, faces multiple allegations of sexual coercion, abuse, and rape spanning several years. The charges, if proven, would deepen scrutiny of conduct within high‑profile religious organisations and raise questions about the protection of vulnerable cong

Zanu‑PF Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Jabulani Sibanda has lauded Zambia’s historic role in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and highlighted the deep cultural and religious ties that continue to bind the two countries. Speaking at the Council for Churches in Africa (CCA) 2026 Culture of Purity theme launch in Bulawayo, Sibanda framed Zambia as a steadfast partner whose hospitality and logistical support were instrumental to Zimbabwe’s fight for independence.

Bulawayo’s long‑running water shortages have persisted despite a relatively strong 2025–26 rainy season, with city officials warning that unexpectedly low inflows into supply dams now threaten the city’s water security. A Bulawayo City Council inspection of three key reservoirs, Upper Ncema, Inyankuni, and Mzingwane, revealed extensive mining activity in dam catchment areas in Matabeleland South, which council engineers say is disrupting natural runoff and reducing the volume

Germany’s ambassador Christoph Retzlaff outlines Zimbabwe–EU trade growth, German investment levels and progress on BIPPA compensation as key to restoring investor confidence ( image source ) Germany’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christoph Retzlaff, has highlighted recent developments in bilateral economic relations, including the start of compensation payments to foreign investors affected by the 2000 farm expropriations under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreem

ZCBC and the Catholic University of Zimbabwe sign an MoU to train teachers in psycho-spiritual counselling, strengthening safeguarding, mental-health support and holistic care in schools ( image source ) The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) and the Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) have formalised a partnership to strengthen safeguarding and holistic formation in the country’s education system through a new programme in psycho-spiritual therapy and counselling

A dispute in Gokwe over unpaid school fees escalates after reports of cattle seizures from parents, prompting community outcry, legal concerns and calls for fair, transparent recovery methods ( image source ) Dusty roads and anxious households in Gokwe have become the backdrop to a bitter dispute over unpaid school fees that has exposed deepening economic strain and social tensions in rural Midlands. The controversy erupted after reports that cattle were being seized from par

Trial of AMH editors and Alpha Media Holdings postponed to 25 February 2026 as defence seeks High Court review over charges linked to a satirical column ( image source ) The trial of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) and senior editors Kholwani Nyathi and Faith Zaba has been postponed to 25 February 2026 by Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai, pending the outcome of a High Court review. The two editors and the media house face charges of allegedly insulting or undermining President Em

Conflicting statements from ZIMURA leaders over 2025 royalty figures spark transparency concerns, raising questions about governance, financial reporting and trust within Zimbabwe’s music rights body HARARE — A fresh wave of scrutiny has engulfed the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) after conflicting public statements by senior officials about the organisation’s 2025 royalty collections triggered a credibility crisis and renewed questions about transparency and gove

NRZ confirms successful salvage of export ferrochrome after the Odzi derailment and says rail line repairs are underway, with traffic expected to resume by Saturday ( image source ) The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has confirmed the successful recovery of export ferrochrome from wagons involved in Wednesday’s train derailment at Odzi in Mutare, minimising cargo losses along a key freight route. In a statement, NRZ said salvage operations were completed by midday on 29

Zimbabwe rain-related deaths rise to 109 as heavy floods destroy homes, damage schools and strain emergency response, with thousands of households affected nationwide ( image source ) The death toll from rain-related incidents in Zimbabwe has risen to 109, up from 79 last week, as sustained heavy rains continue to affect large parts of the country. The latest Civil Protection Unit (CPU) situation report shows 8,295 households affected, 334 homes destroyed and 236 schools dama

Andy Muridzo publicly apologises to former mentor Jah Prayzah through a new song, ending years of tension and signalling reconciliation welcomed across Zimbabwe’s music industry ( image source ) AFRO-fusion artist Andy Muridzo has issued a public apology to his former mentor Jah Prayzah, ending years of public criticism and drawing widespread praise across Zimbabwe’s music industry. The reconciliation follows a prolonged period of tension that began after Muridzo left Jah Pra

Zimura vice-chair First Batani defends his election and rejects past allegations as governance disputes deepen over board elections, asset sales and leadership legitimacy ( image source ) HARARE — Newly elected Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) vice-chairperson First Batani, popularly known as First Farai, has strongly defended his leadership position, dismissing criticism of his election as malicious, agenda-driven and rooted in personal vendettas rather than legiti

The Office of the President and Cabinet has voided provincial river-rehabilitation deals, ordered a crackdown on illegal mining, and directed enforcement of SI 188 of 2024 nationwide ( image source ) HARARE — The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has ordered all provinces to immediately enforce Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, effectively cancelling controversial private river-rehabilitation agreements and tightening control over alluvial mining operations. In a dire

ZANU PF says it is nearing completion of processes to amend Zimbabwe’s Constitution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030, with Cabinet and Parliament stages next ( image source ) CHINHOYI — ZANU PF says its internal process to amend the Constitution in line with Resolution Number One — a proposal aimed at extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030 — is nearing completion, with formal government procedures expected to begin next month. Party Secret

PHD Ministries founder Walter Magaya has been remanded in custody ahead of a 16–19 February trial in Harare on four rape charges involving alleged incidents between 2016 and 2023 ( image source ) HARARE — Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya was remanded in custody on Monday and will remain detained until 16 February, when he is scheduled to stand trial on four counts of rape. The trial is set to run on a continuous roll from 16 to 19 Febru

ZERA set Zimbabwe’s petrol ceiling at US$1.57 per litre, but some stations are reportedly charging US$1.59, raising consumer concerns and calls for stronger enforcement ( image source ) HARARE — The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) set a maximum petrol price of US$1.57 per litre earlier this month to cushion consumers from global fuel price volatility, but field observations indicate some fuel stations may be charging US$1.59, exceeding the official ceiling. Major

Mahwindi4ED pays school fees for 150 vulnerable pupils in Mutare’s Sakubva and Dangamvura suburbs ( image source ) A ZANU-PF affiliate, Mahwindi for Economic Development (Mahwindi4ED), has paid school fees for 150 vulnerable learners across 10 government primary schools in Mutare, easing immediate financial pressure on struggling families in the high-density suburbs of Sakubva and Dangamvura. The payments, made on Friday by the organisation’s Manicaland chapter, covered 15 pu