HARARE – Vendors and residents in Southerton have raised serious concerns over alleged harassment and extortion by a municipal police officer known only as “Bhuru,” amid claims that licensed traders are being targeted despite complying with city regulations. The allegations point to a breakdown in coordination within the City of Harare, particularly between the Markets Office and municipal police, with traders saying enforcement practices are undermining official policy.

The government has moved to the next phase of rehabilitating and widening a 16 km stretch of Seke Road after formally handing the project to a local contractor, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, the NPA said Chikosha was discovered in Norton following extensive search efforts. He was last seen alive on 12 March at around 9 pm in Kuwadzana 2, Harare, driving a white Kia Picanto, registration number AGE 4599.

Suspicious items found outside the office of Harare City Council’s newly appointed chamber secretary, Warren Chiwawa, have triggered unease among staff and speculation about possible witchcraft. The incident reportedly occurred at Town House, the headquarters of the Harare City Council, where Chiwawa’s office is located.

A Harare teacher has been granted a protection order by the Harare Civil Court following a distressing incident in which her former husband allegedly stormed her classroom and dumped her personal belongings in front of pupils. Patricia Yusufu successfully applied for the order against her ex-husband, Charles Mike, after he failed to attend the hearing, resulting in a default ruling.

Alfred Shumba, who had reportedly been hiding in South Africa since the robbery, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa following his arrest. His capture reportedly stemmed from a tip-off after a fallout with his brother over missing cash believed to be part of the stolen money.

HARARE — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed circulating social‑media reports that tourists’ vehicles are being impounded for using rooftop tents or roof racks, calling the claims false and contemptible.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the suspect was arrested following investigations into a mining investment deal in which another foreign investor was allegedly defrauded of US$1.5 million. Police later identified the suspect as Singaporean businessman Mark Yong Khong Yoong. According to police, Yoong was arrested on 14 March 2026 at the Norton Tollgate while travelling in a black Lexus SUV with three other people.

HARARE — Preacher Trymore Muparinga has lodged a police report accusing fellow preacher Dickson Nhumwa of cyberbullying after Nhumwa posted a video alleging Muparinga misused church offerings to seduce women and buy alcohol, Muparinga’s lawyers said. Muparinga denies the allegations and says the video is part of an attempt by Nhumwa to claim a share of the funds he received from businessman Wicknell Chivayo. He has retained legal counsel and asked police to investigate the so

HARARE — A 59‑year‑old housemaid, Sarah Matemarunda, was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for stealing cash and foreign currency totalling more than US$80,000 from her employer. Two months of the sentence were suspended, leaving an effective custodial term of 34 months.

Jacob Mafume, the Mayor of Harare, has reacted to widespread public concern after a viral video showed a man cooking sadza in the open in the city centre.

Jacob Mafume, the Mayor of Harare, has acknowledged that the city authorities are struggling to address the capital’s worsening water crisis, warning that the scale of the problem now exceeds the municipality’s capacity.

HARARE — The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal and upheld 18‑year prison terms for two former employees of Delatfin Civil Engineering convicted of stealing and selling residential stands valued at more than US$3 million, the court ruled on Monday.

The death was confirmed by a family member, Tatenda Hungwe, who said Brigadier General Hungwe was stationed at the Zimbabwe National Army headquarters in Harare at the time of his passing. Further details surrounding the circumstances of his collapse and death were not immediately available.

HARARE — Benjamin Lock, one of the Lock brothers, has pledged to bring his network of professional tennis and golf colleagues to The Hills Luxury Golf Estate in Harare, signalling growing international interest in the city’s developing luxury and sports‑focused lifestyle destination.

HARARE – Jacob Mafume has ordered the urgent deployment of tractors for grass cutting across several suburbs, warning that overgrown vegetation is contributing to rising criminal activity.

HARARE — The Prosecutor General has granted a request by Walter Magaya, leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, to remove Harare Provincial Chief Director Tendai Shonhayi from prosecuting his ongoing rape trial, after defence lawyers raised concerns about alleged religious bias.

The City of Harare has extended its municipal rates discount period to 7 March 2026, giving households and businesses extra time to settle accounts while benefiting from reduced charges. The extension is part of the city’s revenue‑mobilisation strategy to fund service delivery, infrastructure rehabilitation, and digital projects under the “Harare, A Smart City of Choice by 2030” initiative.

The government will soon step up road traffic enforcement with the deployment of surveillance cameras and electronic ticketing as part of the Electronic Traffic Management System ETMS. Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Honourable Kazembe Kazembe said foundational work is largely complete and the programme is moving into implementation in major cities.

The Ministry of Local Government has announced stricter enforcement of planning rules: churches operating in residential areas must hold services in fully enclosed, soundproof buildings, and new fuel service stations will no longer be permitted in suburban neighbourhoods unless they form part of formally approved commercial developments.