HARARE  — The Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has launched a high-stakes legal challenge against the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), intensifying a bitter dispute over tax treatments that lenders warn could cripple the nation’s financial stability and freeze credit lines. At the heart of the litigation is ZIMRA’s interpretation of the Income Tax Act, which has disallowed interest expenses, the fundamental cost of doing business for banks, as deductible expenses when calculating taxable income. The sector argues this move artificially inflates profits, leading to "punitive" and "phantom" tax obligations. The crisis has been compounded by ZIMRA’s decision to apply these rules retrospectively for the period between 2019 and 2024. This has blindsided the industry with massive, unforeseen liabilities that threaten to erode capital buffers. "These tax positions reduce profits and shrink the pool of funds available for lending, which ultimately affects economic activity," warned Luxon Zembe, Chairman of CBZ Holdings Limited. The financial impact across the sector is staggering: FBC Holdings: Facing potential liabilities exceeding US$18 million. NMBZ Holdings: Disclosed additional tax charges running into tens of millions. Credit at Risk: FBC Chief Executive Trynos Kufazvinei revealed the bank nearly suspended US$80 million in foreign credit lines due to the tax uncertainty. In a move that appeared to validate the bankers' concerns, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube enacted a partial policy reversal in the 2026 National Budget. He confirmed that interest expenses would finally be tax-deductible starting January 1, 2026. However, BAZ argues this "forward-looking" fix does nothing to address the mountain of debt accumulated over the previous five years. Banks are now pushing the courts to strike down the retrospective assessments that remain on their books. The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has weighed in, warning that aggressive revenue collection is beginning to cannibalize the very industries that drive the economy. "The outcome of this legal battle will be a litmus test for Zimbabwe’s investment climate," said a ZNCC spokesperson. "If banks cannot deduct their primary costs, it sends a signal that the tax environment is unpredictable and hostile to capital." As the case moves through the courts, the stability of the Zimbabwean banking sector hangs in the balance. A ruling in favor of ZIMRA could force banks to further restrict lending to SMEs and large-scale industrial projects, potentially stalling the country's GDP growth targets for 2026. Zimbabwe banking sector tax dispute

HARARE – Private school teachers and education sector workers in Zimbabwe could now earn up to US$1,397 following the release of a new minimum wage structure under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), signalling a significant shift toward US dollar-based salaries in the sector. The development was confirmed on 9 April 2026 by Nick Mangwana, Permanent Secretary for Information, who outlined the new salary framework and payment structure affecting a wide range of education institutions. Mangwana said the agreement clearly stipulates that wages are pegged in United States dollars, although some institutions may pay in local currency equivalents. “The wages captured in the Collective Bargaining Agreement are denominated in United States dollars (US$). The NGO sector shall continue to pay salaries in United States dollars whilst the other sectors shall pay in US$ or the ZWG equivalent,” he said. He added that payments may be guided by provisions under Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020 or the prevailing bank exchange rate, whichever is higher. This means NGO-run institutions will strictly pay in US dollars, while private and mission schools may pay either in USD or Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) equivalents. The new wage schedule reveals notable differences across institution types and grades. At entry level (Grade A1): NGO institutions: US$445.20 Independent Trust Schools: US$396.68 Mission Boarding Schools: US$345.92 Welfare C institutions: US$296.43 Welfare A institutions: US$272.60 Welfare B institutions: US$247.66 At the highest level (Grade C5): NGO institutions: US$1,397.23 Independent Trust Schools: US$712.38 Mission Boarding Schools: US$621.22 Welfare C institutions: US$532.35 Welfare A institutions: US$489.55 Welfare B institutions: US$444.77 The structure applies to a broad spectrum of institutions, including private schools, trust schools, mission schools, colleges, early childhood development (ECD) centres, religious institutions, tertiary institutions, and home schools. In addition to basic salaries, the agreement provides for fixed allowances across all categories. Housing allowance: US$150 Transport allowance: US$80 Education labour expert Dr. Memory Chitiyo said the allowances are critical in improving workers’ welfare amid rising living costs. “While the salaries mark an improvement, the real impact will depend on consistent USD payments and stability of the exchange rate for those receiving local currency equivalents,” she said. Teacher representatives say the new wage structure reflects ongoing efforts to address long-standing concerns over low pay and currency volatility in Zimbabwe’s education sector. “This is a step forward, but implementation will be key,” said a Harare-based private school teacher who declined to be named. “What matters is whether schools can sustain these payments in US dollars.” The wage framework follows months of negotiations between employers and workers, as the sector grapples with inflationary pressures and retention challenges. Analysts say pegging salaries in US dollars could help stabilise earnings and improve morale among educators, particularly in private and NGO-run institutions. However, disparities between different categories of schools and uncertainty around currency conversion remain potential challenges. The new salary structure is expected to take effect immediately, with stakeholders closely monitoring compliance and its impact on the quality of education delivery in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe teacher salaries 2026

REDCLIFF  — A 49-year-old man was brutally murdered on Monday night following a violent dispute over missing groceries and a transport fee at Wentworth Farm in Redcliff. The incident, which has shocked the Kwekwe community, highlights a disturbing trend of extreme violence used to resolve minor civil disagreements. The victim, identified as Elias Kavhumbura Chimusito, died on the spot after being struck multiple times with an axe by a transporter he had hired. The tragedy began when Chimusito engaged Collen Ishmael (27) to transport his groceries from Rutendo to Wentworth Farm using an ox-drawn scotch-cart. Upon arrival at the destination around 8:30 pm, Chimusito checked his supplies and discovered several items were missing. A heated argument ensued when Chimusito refused to pay the agreed-upon transport fee, citing the loss of his property. The situation escalated rapidly into a physical confrontation. “This angered Ishmael, who took an axe from the scotch cart which he used to strike Chimusito on the head and left shin; he died on the spot,” confirmed Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko. Officers from ZRP Redcliff  attended the scene immediately after the incident was reported, leading to Ishmael’s swift arrest. The suspect remains in custody and is expected to appear at the Kwekwe Magistrates Court  to face a formal charge of murder. The body of the deceased was transported to the Kwekwe General Hospital mortuary  for a post-mortem examination. In the wake of the brutal killing, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) issued a stern warning against the use of violence. Inspector Mahoko urged the public to seek mediation rather than resorting to lethal weapons during disputes. "We urge people to involve community elders or professional counsellors when faced with disputes, rather than resorting to violence and causing the unnecessary loss of life," Mahoko added. This murder at Wentworth Farm serves as a grim reminder of the volatility in informal transport sectors, where lack of formal contracts and security often lead to tragic outcomes. Kwekwe murder Redcliff

HARARE  — Zimbabwe is grappling with a severe security staffing crisis, with Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe revealing that the country requires an additional 36,000 police officers to reach internationally recommended policing standards. The shock statistics were disclosed during a high-stakes National Assembly question-and-answer session on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The Minister painted a picture of a thin blue line stretched to its breaking point, as the current force numbers have dwindled far below the requirements of a growing population. According to Minister Kazembe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) currently operates with a mere 14,000 officers. To provide adequate coverage and meet global safety ratios, the establishment should ideally stand at 50,000. “At the moment, we have 14,000 police officers. It is our wish to reach 50,000; the ones we have at the moment are few,” Kazembe told Parliament. “Even in foreign countries, there are ratios they use to determine how many police officers are needed based on the population.” This staggering gap means that for every officer currently on duty, there is a deficit of nearly three more who should be supporting them. The shortage has resulted in many existing police stations being understaffed, while the creation of new police posts in expanding residential areas has been put on hold. The Minister attributed the shrinking force to a "brain drain" and natural attrition. The ZRP is reportedly losing seasoned members to: Professional Migration: Officers leaving for better-paying jobs in the private sector or abroad. Resignations: Mounting pressure and limited resources are driving early exits. Retirements: A steady stream of veteran officers reaching the end of their service without sufficient young recruits to replace them. While the Ministry is desperate to recruit, the process is not autonomous. Minister Kazembe explained that the ZRP must navigate a complex web of "concurrence" from the Treasury and the Public Service Commission. “We cannot do that alone as the police. We have to seek concurrence... because they are the employer,” he said. Currently, the Ministry has flagged an immediate, urgent shortage of 5,000 officers to the Treasury to begin the most critical phase of backfilling. The staffing crisis is already being felt on the ground. In many suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo, response times to distress calls have increased, and visibility remains low. “It would be our wish to put police posts everywhere, but we do not have enough resources because of the statistics I mentioned,” Kazembe added, acknowledging that limited fiscal space is as much a hurdle as the lack of manpower. The government has committed to annual recruitment drives to slowly chip away at the 36,000-officer deficit, but for now, the thin blue line remains dangerously sparse.   Zimbabwe police shortage

BULAWAYO  — Zimbabwe may have lost over US$400 million in potential revenue due to the export of undeclared caesium and tantalum prior to the recent government crackdown on raw mineral shipments. These high-value minerals were reportedly "piggybacking" on lithium concentrates, leaving the country unaccounted for and untaxed. The revelations were made by Engineer Mudono, a senior lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), during a high-level breakfast meeting hosted by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) last week. According to Eng Mudono’s research, the sheer volume of by-products found within exported lithium is staggering. By analyzing the 1.52 million metric tonnes of concentrate previously exported, he estimated that the country lost millions in "invisible" minerals. “If I use that as the basis of calculation, for caesium, we have around 8,512 metric tonnes within the concentrate. That is approximately US$30 million,” Eng Mudono explained. “Then you look at tantalum. At 0.036 to 0.09 per cent content, we are talking about roughly US$400 million that was within the exported material.” Caesium is highly valued in the drilling and electronics industries, while tantalum is a critical component in the manufacturing of capacitors for smartphones and automotive electronics. The NUST expert’s findings provide significant weight to the government’s decision to ban raw lithium exports, a policy that came into full effect on February 25, 2026. The move was designed to stop the "leakage" of rare earth elements and force mining giants to invest in local processing. Eng Mudono urged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to transition from simple concentration to full mineral beneficiation. "We must move beyond simply producing mineral concentrates," he argued. "The focus must be on refining and manufacturing finished products locally to ensure that every gram of tantalum and caesium is accounted for and taxed accordingly." Civil society groups at the meeting echoed these sentiments, noting that without a robust value-addition strategy, Zimbabwe remains vulnerable to "resource raiding." "This research highlights the urgent need for sophisticated lab testing at our borders," said a ZELA representative. "We cannot rely on the declarations of mining companies alone when hundreds of millions of dollars are literally hiding in plain sight within the ore." Zimbabwe mineral revenue loss

Commissioner Paul Nyathi HARARE  — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has moved swiftly to dismiss "misleading" social media reports claiming that an aggrieved family paraded a coffin at Machipisa Police Station  in Highfield to protest the death of a relative allegedly killed by a police officer. In a detailed statement released today, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi clarified that the incident was not a protest, but rather a case of extreme public disorder and "reckless conduct" by a group of touts during a funeral procession. Contrary to viral claims of a fatal road accident involving the force, the deceased—identified as Paswell Tichare (29) of Hopley—passed away on April 5, 2026, at Unit H Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza following a prolonged illness. “Commissioner Nyathi stressed that Tichare’s death was not caused by any police officer or any traffic incident involving a member of the force,” the statement read. The disturbance began on Tuesday, April 7, when Tichare’s associates, primarily comprised of rank touts, collected his body for burial at Mbudzi Cemetery. The group reportedly placed the coffin on the roof of a Toyota Hiace (kombi), forming a rowdy convoy from Zengeza 4 to Highfield. Upon arrival at the Machipisa bus terminus, the scene turned chaotic. According to Commissioner Nyathi: The group blocked Main Street, completely halting the flow of traffic. Touts engaged in reckless vehicle skidding and dangerous maneuvers. The crowd sang "songs honouring their late colleague’s touting activities," causing significant public alarm. To restore order and protect the public, officers intervened, taking the body to the police station for safekeeping before transferring the coffin from the kombi roof into a registered funeral parlour vehicle to allow the burial to proceed with dignity. Four individuals, Godwin Mazenge, Michael Zhuwawo (30), Anna Chere (27), and Tawanda Mafaranyika (27) were arrested at the scene for disorderly conduct. The ZRP confirmed the suspects have since been released after paying admission-of-guilt fines. Commissioner Nyathi issued a stern warning to those using digital platforms to stir civil unrest through unverified information. "The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to desist from spreading unverified information on social media, as this may cause unnecessary alarm and confusion," Nyathi said. He further cautioned that "touts and relatives who parade coffins while disrupting the smooth flow of traffic will face the full wrath of the law." Machipisa Police Station coffin

Lake Chivero pollution and environmental degradation in Zimbabwe HARARE – A damning parliamentary report has uncovered a widespread network of corruption involving politicians, local authorities, and state agencies in the illegal allocation and destruction of wetlands across Zimbabwe, raising alarm over environmental degradation and public health risks. The report, presented in the Senate by Prisca Mupfumira on behalf of the Thematic Committee on Climate Change, details alleged collusion between political actors, municipal officials, and regulators such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). According to the findings, wetlands vital for water purification, flood control, and biodiversity, are being unlawfully allocated for housing and commercial developments in violation of environmental laws and Zimbabwe’s international obligations. In Harare, more than half of the wetlands have reportedly been degraded due to unregulated construction, pollution, and weak enforcement of planning regulations. Key water sources such as Lake Chivero and Lake Manyame are now at risk of contamination, sparking fears over water security and public health in the capital. Affected suburbs include Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Marlborough, Borrowdale, and Greendale, where cluster housing projects, schools, and commercial buildings have been erected on ecologically sensitive land. The committee described the situation as “criminal negligence,” citing a breakdown in enforcement systems and blatant disregard for environmental regulations. Some developments reportedly proceeded despite stop orders and environmental fines issued by authorities. The City of Harare was implicated in irregular land allocations, with allegations that some officials sold or leased wetland land for personal gain. Politicians and land barons were also accused of facilitating illegal settlements, often with political backing. Environmental governance expert Dr. Farai Mutasa said the findings reflect systemic institutional failure. “When regulators and local authorities are compromised, environmental laws become meaningless. This is not just an environmental issue, it’s a governance crisis,” he said. The report further reveals that some projects initially rejected by regulators were later approved under unclear circumstances, raising concerns over the manipulation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). Investigators also documented encroachment on internationally protected wetlands under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, including areas linked to Mana Pools National Park and Lake Chivero. Activities in these zones include land reclamation, fencing off public access, and construction work that threatens fragile ecosystems. The committee has called for urgent intervention by the Office of the President and Cabinet, alongside investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. It also urged the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife to enforce a total ban on wetland development and strengthen inter-agency coordination. An EMA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said enforcement challenges persist. “We issue orders, but political interference often undermines implementation. Without accountability at higher levels, this will continue,” the official said. The report warns that continued wetland destruction could worsen urban flooding, reduce biodiversity, and expose communities to waterborne diseases. Environmental campaigner Nyasha Zinyemba said the long-term consequences could be severe. “Wetlands act as natural sponges and filters. Destroying them increases flood risks and contaminates water sources. This directly affects people’s health and livelihoods,” she said. As pressure mounts for accountability, the report concludes that failure to act decisively will not only accelerate environmental collapse but also further erode public confidence in Zimbabwe’s institutions. Zimbabwe wetlands corruption

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Football Association has applied for a webcasting licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, in a move that could transform how local football content is distributed and consumed across the country. The application, submitted in terms of Section 10 of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06], seeks approval for ZIFA to broadcast football-related content directly over the internet, signalling a shift toward digital sports media in Zimbabwe. According to a public notice issued by BAZ, ZIFA intends to operate the proposed webcasting service from its offices at Tendeseka Office Park in Harare. “Take notice that the Applicant has applied for a Broadcasting Service Licence in terms of Section 10 of the Broadcasting Services Act,” reads part of the notice. If approved, the ZIFA webcasting licence would enable the association to stream matches, press conferences, and exclusive football content online, reducing reliance on traditional broadcasters and potentially expanding reach to both local and international audiences. Media analyst Tawanda Muchengeti said the move aligns with global trends in sports broadcasting. “Football associations worldwide are increasingly turning to digital platforms to control content distribution and monetise their audiences directly. This could be a game-changer for Zimbabwean football,” he said. The development comes as sports organisations globally embrace over-the-top (OTT) streaming services to engage fans in real time, particularly via mobile and internet-based platforms. In line with regulatory requirements, BAZ has opened ZIFA’s application for public inspection, inviting stakeholders and members of the public to submit their views within 14 days of the notice. “Any person who wishes to comment on the application may, within fourteen days… contact the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe,” the authority said, providing its Highlands, Harare office as the point of contact. The consultation process is a key step in determining whether the application meets licensing requirements, including content standards, technical capacity, and public interest considerations. A successful application could unlock new revenue streams for ZIFA through subscriptions, advertising, and sponsorship deals tied to digital content. However, experts warn that challenges such as internet accessibility, data costs, and production quality will need to be addressed to ensure the platform’s success. Sports marketing consultant Nyasha Dube noted: “While digital broadcasting offers huge potential, ZIFA must invest in quality production and user-friendly platforms to compete effectively.” The application reflects growing momentum toward digital innovation in Zimbabwe’s sports sector, where fans are increasingly consuming content online. If approved by BAZ, ZIFA’s webcasting platform could redefine how Zimbabwean football is accessed, giving supporters more direct and consistent coverage of domestic matches and national team activities. The outcome of the licensing process is expected after the public consultation period concludes. ZIFA webcasting licence

GWERU  — In a decisive move to restore urban hygiene and curb the rising threat of waterborne diseases, the Gweru City Council has officially introduced a US$30 spot fine for public littering. The new penalty is part of a broader "war on litterbugs" aimed at transforming the Midlands capital into a cleaner, healthier environment. The local authority is demanding collective responsibility from residents, businesses, and visitors as it seeks to eliminate the illegal dumpsites that have become a permanent fixture in many high-density suburbs. Gweru Mayor, Councillor Martin Chivhoko, warned that the city’s current waste situation is no longer just an aesthetic issue but a severe public health crisis. “When plastic bags choke our drains, and illegal dumpsites become breeding grounds for rats and mosquitoes, we are not just dealing with an eyesore,” Mayor Chivhoko stated. “We are exposing ourselves to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and malaria. We are focusing on prosecuting individuals and companies that dump waste at illegal sites.” Illegal dumping has led to frequent blockages in the city's aging drainage system, exacerbating flash flooding during the rainy season and creating stagnant pools where mosquitoes thrive. To support the enforcement of these fines, Town Clerk Livingstone Churu announced that the council is significantly expanding its waste management capabilities. The city is in the process of adding: 6 Refuse Compactors 20 Skip Bins 2 Tractor-drawn Skip Trailers Gweru’s Director of Health Services, Sam Sekenhamo, expressed confidence that the US$30 penalty, roughly equivalent to a significant portion of a local monthly grocery budget, will serve as a powerful deterrent against indiscriminate littering. While the move has been praised by environmentalists, the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) has issued a stern challenge to the municipality. GRRA Executive Director Cornelius Selipiwe argued that spot fines are only "fair" if the council fulfills its end of the social contract. “For the fines to be fair, the local authority must ensure consistent and timely refuse collection,” Selipiwe argued. “Regular service delivery is essential to ensure residents are not driven to illegal dumping out of necessity. If the bins aren't collected for three weeks, where do people put their trash?” Despite the friction over service delivery, Selipiwe joined the Mayor in calling for citizens to take personal pride in their surroundings and stop the culture of throwing litter from moving vehicles. Gweru City Council litter fines

By: Simbarashe Namusi At any given moment in Zimbabwe , two things are almost guaranteed: someone is placing a sports bet , and someone is opening a drink. More often than not, it is the same person. To understand the rise of gambling and alcohol  among young Zimbabweans, one has to begin with pressure. Opportunities feel increasingly scarce, the cost of living in Zimbabwe  continues to climb, and the long-held promise that education leads to stability no longer feels certain. The traditional script school, employment, and a steady life have become less reliable, forcing many young people to adapt in different ways. Some build, some hustle, and others find ways to cope with youth unemployment . In this environment, betting in Zimbabwe  has evolved beyond a casual pastime into something far more embedded in everyday life. Across kombi rides, barbershops, and street corners, conversations are filled with odds, predictions, and “sure games.” Weekend football, especially local PSL fixtures  and European leagues, has become less about loyalty and more about outcomes. The question is no longer just who will win, but what the betting odds  say. Online betting apps  and WhatsApp prediction groups have made participation effortless. In an economy where progress is often slow and uncertain, gambling offers something deceptively attractive: immediacy. No capital barriers, no formal gatekeepers, just a phone, a small stake, and the possibility, however slim, of a financial breakthrough. In an environment where certainty is scarce, risk has quietly become routine. Alcohol abuse  and consumption, in many ways, complete the cycle. If betting represents the promise of change, alcohol becomes the release that follows. After a loss, it softens disappointment. After a win, it amplifies the celebration. After a long day of trying and not quite getting ahead, it becomes a default refuge. Across high-density suburbs and urban centres alike, bottle stores and nightspots have evolved into more than leisure spaces. They are informal coping zones, places where pressure is shared, deferred, or briefly forgotten. Yet beneath the music and social energy lies something less visible but deeply felt, exhaustion. What is most striking is not simply the prevalence of these behaviours, but how thoroughly they have been normalised. Problem gambling  no longer raises alarm, and heavy drinking rarely invites scrutiny. Both have settled into the rhythm of everyday life, casual, expected, and largely unquestioned. In such a climate, opting out can feel like opting out of the social fabric itself. This is how habits harden into culture. Part of the appeal lies in the illusion of control. Sports betting  creates the sense that one correct prediction could unlock financial relief. Alcohol offers the temporary relief of stepping outside pressure, even if only for a few hours. But this control is often fleeting. Losses accumulate quietly. Patterns become habits. Habits, over time, become substance dependencies . By the time the consequences are visible, they are often already entrenched. There is also a deeper economic contradiction at play. Many young people, already navigating financial strain, are spending limited resources chasing uncertain returns or temporary relief. Money that could seed small investments or support small businesses in Zimbabwe  is instead recycled into betting platforms, into alcohol, into nights that repeat themselves with little change in outcome. It is a slow drain, subtle but cumulative, and easy to ignore until its effects are deeply felt. It is tempting to reduce this to individual choice. But that framing misses the broader context. A more difficult and necessary question is what real alternatives exist for Zimbabwean youth . Where are the accessible pathways to growth? Where are the systems that meaningfully reward effort, creativity, and consistency? Where are the spaces that make building a future feel tangible rather than distant? In the absence of these, escape does not always present itself as recklessness. Sometimes, it feels like the only available option. This is not a social crisis  that announces itself loudly. There are no dramatic flashpoints or singular moments that demand immediate attention. Instead, it unfolds quietly, a steady drift rather than a sudden collapse. A generation navigates pressure in real time, using what is within reach, one bet and one drink at a time. Any meaningful response must therefore go beyond blame. It must engage with the broader ecosystem: economic opportunity , youth-focused support systems, addiction awareness , and the creation of environments that offer more than survival. Without these, the cycle will remain intact. Gambling and alcohol, in this moment, are not just habits. They are signals of strain, of uncertainty, and of a generation negotiating a future that often feels just out of reach. The question that lingers is whether young Zimbabweans are actively choosing this cycle or simply adapting to the limits placed around them. Until that question is confronted honestly, the pattern will persist quietly, consistently, and at a cost we are only beginning to understand. Youth Gambling and Alcohol in Zimbabwe

HARARE  — In a landmark intervention for the creative industry, the Government of Zimbabwe has officially dissolved the board of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA). The dramatic move follows months of escalating tensions, allegations of financial mismanagement, and a chorus of complaints from the nation’s most prominent artists. The board, which was chaired by Alexio Gwenzi, was disbanded by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, to restore institutional integrity at the body responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to composers and publishers. Acting ZIMURA director Henry Makombe confirmed the dissolution today, April 9, 2026, noting that while the board is gone, the secretariat remains functional to prevent a total collapse of royalty processing. “We continue operating as the Secretariat, awaiting for the Interim Administrator to be appointed by the Ministry and ultimately the establishment of a new board,” Makombe told The Herald . The collapse of the board comes as no surprise to industry insiders. For weeks, legendary sungura musician Alick Macheso led a public campaign against the association, describing it as an entity in total "turmoil." "Musicians do not make noise without cause," Macheso warned in March. "This association does not belong to the board—it belongs to every member." The core of the dispute lies in the royalty distribution system, which has left many artists impoverished. While ZIMURA reported distributing US$95,000 to over 3,500 members last year, the payouts were disturbingly uneven. Top Tier: A handful of artists received over US$2,000. The Reality: Many received as little as US$3 to US$5. Case Study: Hitmaker Charles Ayibeki revealed he was paid a paltry US$5.60 for a chart-topping song. “An artiste is invited from as far as Bulawayo to collect royalties that do not even cover their bus fare,” Macheso lamented, echoing a sentiment shared by hundreds of struggling creators. The board’s position became untenable following a series of governance failures. In January 2026, a controversial attempt to sell two ZIMURA flats in Avondale was blocked only after a fierce public outcry. Furthermore, the organization never fully recovered from the June 2025 fraud conviction of long-serving executive director Polisile Ncube-Chimhini. Her departure left a power vacuum that was quickly filled by internal bickering and a lack of transparency. While former vice-chairperson First Farai Batani previously defended the system, claiming some artists simply lacked airplay, the Government’s move suggests that the flaws are systemic rather than anecdotal. The Ministry is expected to announce an interim administrator within the coming days to oversee a forensic audit and pave the way for a more accountable leadership structure. ZIMURA board dissolved

SHANGANI  — The nation is in deep mourning following a horrific road traffic accident along the Harare–Bulawayo Road that claimed the lives of a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) soldier, his wife, and their two young children. The tragedy, occurring just 10km past Shangani on Monday, April 7, 2026, marks another dark chapter in a season already marred by road fatalities. The deceased have been identified as Lance Corporal Tumelo Dube (33), his wife Antonate Sibonginkosi Mashava Dube, and their children, Itumele (8) and Lorisana (1). A somber atmosphere enveloped the State House Presidential Barracks in Sauerstown, Bulawayo, as a military funeral parade was held for the fallen soldier. Lance Corporal Dube, a member of the elite Presidential Guard, was described by superiors as a paragon of discipline. “Tumelo Dube was a dedicated professional who served in the VIP Close Security Unit. His loss is felt deeply not only by his family but by the entire Zimbabwe National Army,” said Chief Mourner Lieutenant Colonel Tongai Hove. Dube, who joined the ZNA in 2012, was a decorated soldier, holding the Independence Medal and the 10 Years’ Service Medal. At the time of the crash, the family was reportedly travelling from Harare to Bulawayo to begin work on a new family home. While official police investigations are ongoing, the Dube family has raised concerns regarding the circumstances of the crash. According to relatives, evidence at the scene suggests the involvement of a second vehicle. Evidence: A side mirror fragment was discovered approximately 100 metres from the wreckage. Witnesses: Local villagers reported hearing a massive impact before rushing to the scene to find three occupants already deceased. Hospitalization: The youngest child, Lorisana, was rushed to a hospital in Gweru but tragically succumbed to injuries shortly after arrival. This latest incident follows the heart-wrenching loss of six members of the Mujuru family in Chikomba District during the Easter break. National police statistics reveal a grim reality on Zimbabwe's highways; the 2026 Easter period alone claimed 30 lives, with 337 crashes recorded countrywide. Road safety experts continue to urge motorists to exercise extreme caution on the Harare-Bulawayo highway, often cited for its high-speed traffic and stray livestock. The Dube family will be laid to rest at their ancestral home in rural Gwanda. Harare-Bulawayo road accident 2026