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Zambian police have identified an American tourist whose body was recovered from the Victoria Falls gorge ( image source ) LIVINGSTONE — Zambian police have identified the body recovered from the Victoria Falls gorge as that of Christopher Gibbs, a 49-year-old American tourist who entered Zambia earlier this month. Southern Province Police Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo said Gibbs entered the country through the Victoria Falls Border Post on 5 January 2026 and was later reported missing after failing to return to his accommodation. A coordinated search and recovery operation involving the Zambia Police Service, Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zambia Army Marine Unit, the Zambia Air Force and the Livingstone City Council Fire Brigade was launched following the report. The body was retrieved from a known danger point within the gorge after police divers undertook a hazardous descent using ropes. Once secured, the body was placed on a stretcher and hauled to the surface. Initial observations indicate injuries consistent with a fall from height. The remains have been taken to Batoka Mortuary at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital pending further forensic examinations. Namalongo said investigations into the circumstances surrounding Gibbs’s death are ongoing. He conveyed condolences to the family and said further details would be released as they become available. Gibbs entered Zambia through the Victoria Falls Border Post on January 5, 2026, and was reported missing by his Victoria Falls accommodation lodge after failing to return ( image source ) Authorities have again urged tourists to exercise caution when visiting Victoria Falls, stressing the importance of remaining within designated viewing areas and observing safety guidelines. The terrain around the gorge is considered highly hazardous, particularly in areas not intended for public access. The incident follows other isolated but serious tourist accidents in the Victoria Falls area in recent years. In November 2025, an American tourist drowned during a white-water rafting excursion on the Zambezi River below the falls, while in 2021 an Australian tourist went missing near Victoria Falls National Park, prompting an extensive search operation. Tourism operators in the region said they would cooperate fully with investigators and reiterated the need for strict adherence to safety briefings by visitors. Community leaders and stakeholders also highlighted the risks faced by rescue teams operating in difficult terrain and called for continued investment in safety infrastructure, signage and visitor education.

A Harare magistrate has convicted former MDPCZ registrar Dr Collin Benyure of perjury ( image source ) HARARE — A Harare magistrate has convicted former Registrar of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ), Dr Collin Benyure, of perjury, in a ruling that underscores the legal limits of institutional authority and the obligations of witnesses under oath. Dr Benyure (64) was found guilty of contravening Section 183 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], which criminalises the making of false statements under oath during judicial proceedings. He is expected to be sentenced today. The conviction stems from testimony Dr Benyure gave on 22 May 2024 while appearing as a defence witness in a separate criminal case involving allegations of cyber bullying. During that testimony, he stated under oath that he had authority to represent and speak on behalf of the MDPCZ. The State later challenged that assertion, arguing that no formal council resolution existed authorising him to testify on the council’s behalf. During the perjury trial, prosecutors produced documentary evidence from the MDPCZ confirming that no such authority had been granted. In delivering judgment, Magistrate Donald Ndirowei ruled that the State had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. He held that statutory bodies, as juristic persons, can only act through formally authorised resolutions, and that holding a senior administrative position does not automatically confer authority to represent an institution in court. “The claim of inherent authority based solely on office is legally indefensible,” the magistrate ruled. Evidence presented showed that the original matter arose from a complaint lodged in 2023 by Dr Andrew Mataruse, who reported alleged cyber bullying. The case was investigated by the CID Commercial Crimes Division (Northern Region), leading to the arrest and prosecution of Lenon Tonderai Gwaunza. When Dr Benyure testified in that matter, he stated during cross-examination that he was appearing on behalf of the MDPCZ. The issue was subsequently reported to police, prompting investigations into the accuracy of that claim. Police requested a council resolution authorising Dr Benyure’s representation. In a response dated 6 February 2025, the MDPCZ confirmed that it had not passed any resolution authorising him, even in his capacity as Acting Registrar, to testify as a defence witness in the case. The court accepted the State’s argument that Dr Benyure knowingly misled the court, citing his experience, seniority and familiarity with governance procedures applicable to statutory bodies. Legal analysts say the ruling has broader implications for governance and accountability within professional councils and public institutions. It reinforces the principle that institutional authority must be explicit, documented and procedurally sound, particularly in judicial proceedings. For professionals who regularly engage with the courts, the judgment serves as a reminder that accuracy under oath is both a legal and ethical obligation, regardless of past office or institutional standing.

CDE Leopold Takawira was arrested and processed through Mbizi Police Post in 1964 ( image source ) HARARE — Tucked within the densely populated suburb of Highfields, Mbizi Police Post stands as an unassuming colonial-era structure whose walls carry the weight of Zimbabwe’s liberation history. Now formally nominated for National Monument status, the site is emerging as a significant symbol of historical memory, justice and national identity. Built in December 1973, Mbizi Police Post was originally constructed to serve the British South African Police (BSAP) during the final years of colonial rule. Archival records from the City of Harare Highfields District Office show that the 4 074-square-metre complex comprised an administrative police facility and a separate male-and-female detention block. During this period, the post functioned as a centre of surveillance, detention and control in one of Salisbury’s most politically active townships. The site is closely associated with the nationalist struggle. Prominent liberation figures, including the late former President Robert Mugabe, Enos Nkala, Leopold Takawira and Herbert Chitepo, were among those detained at Mbizi. The police post became synonymous with the enforcement of repressive colonial laws such as the Law-and-Order Maintenance Act and the Industrial Conciliation Act, which curtailed African political participation, labour rights and economic mobility. Heritage experts involved in the nomination process argue that Mbizi’s significance extends beyond the detention of well-known leaders. It also represents the everyday experiences of repression endured by ordinary residents of Highfields. Men and women were frequently detained for attending political meetings, organising locally or being perceived as sympathetic to nationalist causes. Highfields itself was a central hub of political mobilisation, and Mbizi Police Post played a direct role in suppressing that activity. Public consultations conducted as part of the nomination indicate strong community support for preserving the site. Long-term residents described Mbizi as both a place of suffering and resistance, calling for its transformation into a learning space for future generations. Suggestions included the establishment of a small exhibition documenting Highfields’ contribution to the liberation struggle and situating the police post within the broader national narrative. Comparisons have been drawn with other former detention centres such as Harare Central Prison, Chikurubi Maximum Prison, WhaWha Prison and Khami Prison, all of which are widely recognised for their historical importance. Analysts note that Mbizi’s location within a residential township gives it particular interpretive value, linking national history directly to everyday urban life. Structurally, the main administrative building remains intact and is still in use, while the former detention block has deteriorated after years of disuse. Doors, plumbing and fittings require rehabilitation, and sections of the perimeter fence have collapsed, raising concerns about long-term preservation if protective measures are not put in place. If approved, National Monument status would place Mbizi Police Post under the protection of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, limiting unauthorised alterations and bringing the site under formal heritage management in terms of the NMMZ Act (Chapter 25:11). Beyond conservation, the nomination represents an effort to reclaim a painful historical space and transform it into a site of remembrance, civic education and historical accountability.

ZRP has called on motorists to cooperate during traffic stops after a viral video showed a confrontation with officers ( image source ) HARARE — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged motorists to remain calm and cooperative during traffic stops following the circulation of a viral video showing a confrontation between a driver and traffic officers. In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the widely shared footage on social media platforms, including X, highlighted the importance of lawful compliance when motorists are stopped for traffic-related offences. “It is in the interest of law and order for all motorists to comply when stopped or flagged down by the police for committing traffic offences,” Nyathi said. He cautioned against confrontational or aggressive behaviour towards officers, stressing that threats or public altercations undermine law enforcement and public safety. Nyathi said motorists who feel aggrieved by police conduct should use established complaint mechanisms rather than engaging in disputes at roadblocks or traffic stops. The viral altercation ( video source ) The police spokesperson also reminded drivers of common traffic violations, including stopping at undesignated points, picking up or dropping passengers in unsafe areas, driving under the influence of alcohol, and failing to observe traffic signals. He said enforcement operations are intended to enhance road safety and ensure orderly conduct on public roads. ZRP reiterated its commitment to professionalism among officers on traffic duty, noting that all enforcement activities are expected to adhere to prescribed standards and procedures. Members of the public who believe they have been unfairly treated were encouraged to report incidents through official channels to allow for proper investigation. Police said the overarching goal remains the promotion of road safety, lawful behaviour and mutual respect between motorists and law enforcement authorities.

A proposed US$700 million cement plant in Magunje is set to boost Zimbabwe’s cement capacity, create over 2,000 jobs and support devolution-led industrialisation in Mashonaland West ( image source ) HARARE — A proposed US$700 million cement manufacturing plant in Magunje, Hurungwe District, is being positioned as a major catalyst for regional industrialisation, job creation and import substitution under Zimbabwe’s devolution agenda. Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said the project, to be developed by WIH-ZIM Construction Material Investments (Pvt) Ltd, could significantly transform Mashonaland West’s economic landscape. The company is a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed Yaobai International Holdings. Construction is expected to commence in 2026. Once operational, the greenfield plant is projected to produce approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes of cement annually and create more than 2,000 direct jobs across construction and operational phases. Chombo described the investment as aligned with Government’s strategy of dispersing industrial activity beyond Harare and stimulating provincial growth nodes. “This investment is not just about bricks and clinker; it is about building Zimbabwe’s future, brick by brick,” she said during a site visit. “We will ensure the project supports Vision 2030, delivers tangible community benefits and adheres to environmental standards.” Government officials said the Magunje plant could materially reduce Zimbabwe’s reliance on imported cement, currently estimated at about 1.2 million tonnes per year, easing pressure on foreign currency reserves. Installed domestic cement capacity stands at roughly 4 million tonnes annually, while demand is growing at an estimated 6–8 percent per year, driven by housing, infrastructure development and mining activity. The resulting supply gap has contributed to higher construction costs and increased imports from neighbouring countries. ( image source ) Yaobai International, founded in 2019, operates in several African markets and is active in cement production, gypsum board manufacturing, cement products and logistics. Authorities believe the Magunje investment could strengthen local supply chains and anchor downstream industries, including construction materials and transport services. Analysts have welcomed the announcement but cautioned that execution will be key. They are calling for greater clarity on project timelines, financing arrangements, environmental safeguards and local content commitments, including procurement, skills transfer and technology localisation. Chombo said Government would work closely with the investor to address bottlenecks and ensure community participation. “We are not here to rubber-stamp projects. We are here to ensure they deliver for communities, protect the environment and align with Vision 2030,” she said. If implemented as planned, the Magunje cement plant could help narrow Zimbabwe’s cement supply deficit, generate employment in a historically underdeveloped district and reinforce devolution-driven industrialisation outcomes.

Zimbabwe’s economy shows resilience through adaptation, but prolonged survival strategies risk masking stagnation, weakening institutions and eroding long-term growth prospects ( image source ) Zimbabweans have always been adaptive. It is one of our most cited national traits, invoked with pride whenever formal systems falter and improvisation fills the gaps. From cross-border trading to informal currency hedging, from side hustles to parallel markets, survival has become a finely tuned national skill. But adaptation, when prolonged, can become dangerous—especially when it begins to mask structural decline. What Zimbabwe is currently experiencing is not economic recovery in the conventional sense. It is economic accommodation: a collective recalibration of expectations downward, paired with an impressive capacity to endure conditions that would be politically or socially intolerable elsewhere. This distinction matters, because accommodation can coexist with stagnation for a very long time. At street level, the economy appears busy. Money circulates. Shops open and close with startling speed. New businesses emerge weekly, particularly in retail, transport, and digital services. On the surface, this activity suggests resilience, even dynamism. Beneath the movement, however, lies fragility. Much of today’s economic activity is not growth-oriented but defensive. It is designed to preserve purchasing power rather than expand it; to manage risk rather than create value. A significant share of entrepreneurial energy is spent not on innovation, but on arbitrage—between currencies, pricing systems, regulatory gaps, and time. This is rational behaviour in an environment where predictability is scarce. But it has consequences. The first casualty of prolonged accommodation is long-term planning. Businesses operate with shortened horizons. Households think in weeks rather than years. Investment decisions are shaped by exit strategies instead of expansion plans. Capital becomes mobile, cautious, and easily unsettled. The second casualty is institutional trust. When citizens learn that personal networks outperform formal processes, the incentive to engage institutions weakens. Compliance becomes conditional. Taxes are paid selectively. Regulations are negotiated informally. Over time, this corrodes the very systems required for sustainable economic development. Perhaps the most under-discussed impact, however, is psychological. Zimbabwe’s middle-income professionals—the teachers, nurses, engineers, junior executives, and civil servants—are increasingly living in a state of managed anxiety. They are employed, but insecure. Educated, but under-rewarded. Functional, but fatigued. Their lives are dominated less by aspiration than by calculation: school fees, medical cover, transport, rent, currency exposure. Ambitions contract quietly. Not because drive has disappeared, but because uncertainty punishes optimism. This group matters disproportionately. Globally, middle-income earners form the tax base, anchor consumer demand, and provide social stability. When they disengage—economically or psychologically—the entire system loses balance. Zimbabwe has not yet confronted the full social consequences of this withdrawal. But it is accumulating. One reason the alarm bells remain muted is the absence of dramatic collapse. There is no singular crisis moment. Instead, there is slow erosion—the kind that allows societies to adapt incrementally, until adaptation itself becomes the norm. This is where policy risk emerges. Governments can easily mistake endurance for endorsement. The absence of protest is read as acceptance. The persistence of informal activity is interpreted as economic vitality. But survival strategies are not development strategies. Real economic progress requires more than circulation. It requires productivity gains, value addition, skills utilisation, and institutional reliability. It requires an environment where risk is rewarded, not merely managed. For business leaders, the challenge is equally complex. Operating in Zimbabwe today demands agility, but also discipline. The temptation is to optimise exclusively for volatility—quick returns, fast exits, minimal exposure. Yet businesses anchored solely in short-term logic struggle to scale, formalise, or attract serious capital. There remains space—albeit narrow—for firms that invest in systems, build credibility, and think beyond the next currency cycle. These businesses may not grow fastest, but they grow strongest. For policymakers, the task is harder, but unavoidable. Stability cannot be communicated; it must be experienced. Confidence cannot be announced; it must be earned. Economic actors respond less to speeches than to consistency—across taxation, currency policy, procurement, and regulation. Zimbabwe does not lack ideas. It lacks predictability. Until that changes, adaptation will continue to substitute for growth, and endurance will be mistaken for success. The danger is not that Zimbabweans will fail to survive. They always do. The danger is that we may survive so efficiently, for so long, that we forget what genuine progress looks like—and lose the urgency to demand it. Simbarashe Namusi is a peace, leadership and governance scholar as well as media expert. He writes in his personal capacity.

Welcome to the debut of The Creative Compass , a new column here at the Southerton Business Times  dedicated entirely to you the beat-makers, the stone-carvers, the canvas-painters, and the stage-shakers of Zimbabwe. As Zimbabwe approaches 2026, one policy framework is coming sharply into focus, National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2). For creative practitioners, the significance of NDS2 can only be fully understood by first reflecting on the path laid down by NDS1 (2021–2025). NDS1: A Necessary First Step At its core, NDS1 was a five-year economic stabilisation and reform programme. For the arts sector, its most significant contribution was conceptual rather than commercial the formal recognition of the arts as part of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). That recognition mattered. It placed artistic production within national planning frameworks, moving creatives from the margins of informality into formal development discourse. Under NDS1, this shift translated into tangible opportunities for some practitioners. Filmmaker Cook Off director Tomas Brickhill and fashion designer Tapfumanei Munenge benefitted from increased international exposure tied to “Brand Zimbabwe” conversations. Musicians such as Jah Prayzah and Winky D demonstrated how structured production, branding and touring could turn cultural output into exportable economic activity. Sculptors from Tengenenge and Nyanga continued to anchor Zimbabwe’s visual identity in global art markets. What worked: Under NDS1, government and partners supported the emergence of creative hubs, pilot funding mechanisms such as CreativeACTIONs2 , and early discussions around “Brand Zimbabwe”, which positioned cultural output as an exportable national asset. These initiatives signalled intent that creativity had economic value beyond entertainment. What fell short: Structural constraints remained. Intellectual property enforcement lagged behind policy ambition, leaving creators vulnerable to unauthorised distribution of their work. High data costs, limited access to affordable finance and weak market linkages continued to restrict scale, particularly for youth and rural-based artists. NDS1 acknowledged these challenges, but solutions remained uneven. NDS2: From Recognition to Returns Launched to cover 2026–2030, NDS2 builds on that foundation with a clearer emphasis on job creation, youth participation and productivity. For the creative sector, the policy direction is less about recognition and more about commercial viability. Government statements and budget signals indicate an intention to more deliberately integrate CCIs into growth planning. This includes aligning creative activity with industrialisation, digital trade and employment creation, rather than treating it as a parallel cultural pursuit. What NDS2 Means in Practical Terms For creatives, three themes are particularly relevant: Commercialisation:  NDS2 places stronger emphasis on formalisation encouraging creatives to operate as registered enterprises that can access finance, contracts and export pathways. Digital Market Access:  The strategy acknowledges the role of digital platforms, new technologies and emerging tools in expanding markets beyond national borders. The focus is on enabling creators to participate competitively in global value chains. Intellectual Property Reform:  While reform outcomes will depend on implementation, NDS2 renews attention on copyright protection and royalty systems as essential infrastructure for sustainable creative incomes. These are not guarantees, but policy signals. Their impact will depend on uptake, institutional capacity and sustained engagement from the sector itself. Why Participation Matters Policy frameworks do not implement themselves. NDS2 relies on participation through grant applications, industry associations, cooperatives, guilds and formal business registration. Creatives who remain outside organised structures risk missing opportunities embedded in national planning. For the sculptor in Mbare, the fashion designer in Gweru or the producer in Chitungwiza, the question is no longer whether the arts belong in the economy. That debate has been settled. The question now is how creatives position themselves within it. Zimbabwe’s path to Vision 2030 explicitly includes cultural production as an economic contributor. In this column, The Creative Compass will focus on translating policy into practical steps funding access, compliance basics, market strategies and institutional navigation. For more you can email the writer at mdarawengozha@gmail.com  or WhatsApp +263 772 113 605.  The stage is set. What follows depends on who steps onto it.

Mazowe farmers benefiting from the Government’s Productivity Booster Kits Programme are optimistic about a bumper harvest, citing early planting and improved irrigation infrastructure ( image source ) MAZOWE — Beneficiaries of the Government’s Productivity Booster Kits Programme in Mazowe District say they are confident of a bumper harvest this season, citing improved access to irrigation infrastructure as a key driver of strong crop performance. More than 90 families in Glendale, Mazowe, have so far benefited from the Second Republic initiative, which is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening national food security. Farmers said the early distribution of the kits in August 2025 allowed them to expand their hectarage and plant crops well ahead of the onset of the rainy season. A recent visit to beneficiary plots showed healthy and well-maintained crops, highlighting the impact of irrigation-based agriculture on local farming systems. Farmers noted that reliable water supply has enabled them to diversify production and continue farming activities regardless of erratic rainfall patterns. Agriculture Business and Advisory Officer Innocent Guveya said the programme has resulted in a significant increase in land under cultivation, with improved yield prospects across most farms. “We have noted a marked improvement in the area planted compared to previous seasons, and we expect yields per hectare to rise. Some farmers are already earning income through the sale of green mealies,” he said. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has previously urged farmers to maximise land and water use to ensure national food security. At the launch of the programme, he said the initiative was designed to be inclusive, particularly targeting A1 farmers who had not previously benefited from irrigation schemes. “Ten thousand A1 farmers will benefit under the first phase of this programme,” the President said. Under the scheme, each beneficiary receives a US$6,000 loan to acquire irrigation equipment covering between one and three hectares. Government plans to invest US$1.98 billion over the next 10 years to support the programme, with financial institutions expected to provide additional working capital. Smallholder tobacco farmers are also set to benefit through the localisation of irrigation equipment procurement. Phase One targets at least 10,000 farmers nationwide, a move authorities say will consolidate Zimbabwe’s food security and improve resilience to climate variability. Farmers in Mazowe say early planting has been decisive. “We managed to produce this kind of crop because we planted well before the rainy season. We thank our government for prioritising this area,” one beneficiary said. Another farmer expressed optimism about the season’s outcome, saying: “We hope this initiative will spread to other provinces. We are expecting maize yields of between six and seven tonnes per hectare this season.”

Zimbabwean footballers in Europe impress after AFCON, with Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa and Daniel Msendami delivering strong club performances ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabwean international footballers plying their trade in Europe have quickly turned attention back to club football, delivering strong performances in domestic leagues following the Warriors’ early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). In Scotland, winger Tawanda Maswanhise maintained his impressive form in the Scottish Premiership with a decisive display for Motherwell. Maswanhise scored his ninth league goal of the season in a 2–0 win over St Mirren, taking his total tally to 13 goals across all competitions. One of Zimbabwe’s standout performers at AFCON, the attacker has carried his momentum into club football, underlining his growing influence at Motherwell. ( image source ) In England, Tawanda Chirewa returned to action for Wolverhampton Wanderers, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 Premier League victory over West Ham United. The result marked Wolves’ first league win of the season. Chirewa, who featured in all three Group B matches for Zimbabwe at AFCON, is now seeking to build consistency after making his second senior appearance for the club. Meanwhile, forward Daniel Msendami has seen his profile rise sharply following a series of eye-catching performances at AFCON. The Zimbabwe international is reportedly attracting interest from several clubs, with South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates said to be monitoring his situation. With the January transfer window approaching, speculation around his future is expected to intensify as clubs evaluate potential moves. ( image source ) Although Zimbabwe’s AFCON campaign ended at the group stage, the strong individual performances of players abroad have been viewed as a positive takeaway. Analysts say the trio’s form highlights the depth of Zimbabwean talent capable of competing in top leagues, with coaches and scouts likely to keep a close watch as the season unfolds.

Zimbabwe recruits over 5,000 health workers in 2025 and plans to create 32,000 public sector health jobs by 2030 to rebuild and sustain the public health system ( image source ) HARARE — The Government has stepped up efforts to stabilise and rebuild Zimbabwe’s public health system, recruiting more than 5,000 health workers in 2025 and setting out plans to double the national health workforce by 2030, creating at least 32,000 public sector jobs. Authorities say the expansion is aimed at reducing waiting times at public health institutions and safeguarding access to care as international donor funding continues to decline. Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze said the recruitment drive signals a strategic shift towards a resilient and self-sustaining health system anchored on domestic financing. He said Government is planning for long-term sustainability at a time when external funding streams are shrinking, making it necessary to strengthen locally driven solutions. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has led reforms targeting long-standing service delivery challenges, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure, re-equipping hospitals with modern machinery and improving conditions of service for health workers. In 2025, the President conducted unannounced visits to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Sally Mugabe Hospital and the National Pharmaceutical Company to assess operational challenges and progress on reforms. Treasury support has been central to workforce expansion. Dr Maunganidze said that in 2025 alone, 5,284 posts across various cadres — including nurses, pharmacists and doctors — were availed. By 2030, Government aims to double the health workforce, creating at least 32,000 direct jobs and stimulating more than 100,000 indirect jobs across pharmaceuticals, transport, equipment maintenance and catering. Zimbabwe’s health sector has for years battled acute staffing shortages driven largely by outward migration. Nearly 20 percent of doctors trained locally are working abroad, while about 7,550 nurses — roughly 35 percent of the nursing workforce — are employed outside the country. A 2022 Health Labour Market Analysis showed Zimbabwe has just 22 health workers per 10,000 people, far below the global benchmark of 44. To reverse the trend, Government signed the Human Resources for Health Investment Compact in October 2024. The strategy prioritises decentralised nurse training to improve retention, with more than five new training schools established and recruitment devolved to provinces. Annual training output is expected to increase from 3,334 in 2022 to at least 7,000 by 2030. Authorities are also professionalising community health workers and mobilising domestic resources to sustain HIV, TB and malaria programmes, while partnerships with the private sector are strengthening medicine supply chains. Infrastructure development is progressing alongside workforce expansion. Major works under the Presidential Hospital Renovation Scheme began in 2025, including upgrades at Parirenyatwa School of Nursing, Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital and Mpilo Central Hospital. New community health centres have been commissioned in Mataga, Runyararo, Cowdray Park and Stone Ridge, with additional facilities planned for Manhize, Chivi, Zaka and Bulilima. Looking ahead, district hospitals for Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan provinces are scheduled for construction between late 2026 and 2027. Dr Maunganidze said the reforms are now moving beyond policy commitments to visible change on the ground. As Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030, he said, the rebuilding of the public health system is taking shape facility by facility and community by community.

SAPES Trust is considering legal action against Zimbabwe police, accusing them of delays and possible collusion in investigations into the October 2025 bombing of its Harare offices ( image source ) HARARE — The Southern African Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust says it is considering legal action against the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) over what it describes as the slow and questionable handling of investigations into the October 2025 bombing of its Belgravia premises. The attack occurred on the night of October 27, 2025, when unknown assailants allegedly used petrol as an accelerant to start an incendiary fire in the organisation’s seminar room. The venue was scheduled to host a press conference the following morning by activists opposed to efforts by ZANU-PF to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office by two years. In correspondence dated December 15, CID chief director Patrick Majuta confirmed that police were investigating the incident and had established that petrol was used to ignite the fire. However, SAPES Trust says that more than two months after the attack, there has been no meaningful progress in the case, raising doubts about the seriousness of the investigation. In a statement, the organisation said the prolonged delay amounted to evidence of state involvement. “The time it has taken so far to bring the culprits to book is more than sufficient proof that this is a case of state collusion,” SAPES Trust said. The trust alleged that the attack could only have been carried out by a state-linked entity, citing reports that the assailants used Ford Ranger vehicles without number plates and what it described as military-grade equipment. It also pointed to the heavy deployment of riot police at its offices the following morning, which prevented the planned press conference from taking place. Opposition leaders were expected to address the media at the SAPES Trust offices as part of broader efforts to mobilise public opposition to proposals to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the constitutionally mandated two five-year terms. A similar press briefing planned for Bulawayo was also reportedly blocked by police. SAPES Trust further claimed that the pace and conduct of investigations suggest a possible cover-up. The organisation said witness statements recorded in early December, including one from a security guard who was allegedly abducted during the attack, have not been released by investigating officers. Police had not responded to the latest allegations at the time of publication.

Zimbabwe has begun implementing a 15% digital services withholding tax on payments to foreign-based platforms ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabweans using foreign-based digital platforms have begun paying a 15 percent Digital Services Withholding Tax following the enactment of a new tax regime designed to bring income earned by non-resident digital companies into the country’s tax net. The levy, introduced through the Finance Act signed into law last week, applies to payments made for offshore digital services provided by companies with no physical presence in Zimbabwe. These include subscription streaming services, e-hailing platforms, satellite internet providers and other online-based services. The tax is withheld at source by banks, mobile money operators and other regulated financial intermediaries at the point of payment, before being remitted to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). Presenting the 2026 National Budget, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the measure seeks to address revenue leakages arising from the rapid growth of the digital economy. He told Parliament that offshore platforms were generating substantial income from Zimbabwean consumers without contributing to domestic tax revenues. “The current tax framework does not adequately capture income accruing to non-resident digital service providers, resulting in significant revenue losses,” he said. The withholding tax covers a broad range of digital services, including streaming subscriptions, e-hailing fees, digital advertising, e-commerce transactions, online commissions, cloud computing services and satellite-based internet access. Financial intermediaries facilitating payments to foreign-domiciled providers are required to remit the withheld tax to Zimra within 30 days. Under the law, failure to withhold or remit the tax may result in penalties, including liability for the unpaid amount and a 15 percent surcharge. However, Zimra retains discretion to waive penalties in cases where there is no evidence of deliberate tax evasion. Intermediaries are also required to issue certificates to payers detailing the gross amount paid to offshore service providers and the tax withheld. The move comes as Zimbabweans increasingly rely on digital services, spending millions of dollars annually on platforms such as Netflix, e-hailing applications like InDrive, digital advertising through Google and Meta, e-commerce platforms, online gaming services and satellite internet providers including Starlink. Tax analysts say the new levy is intended to safeguard Zimbabwe’s taxing rights and promote fairness in the market by ensuring offshore digital companies contribute to the fiscus in the same way as locally based service providers.