More than 370 occupational pension funds in Zimbabwe face dissolution by end-2025 ( image source ) Zimbabwe’s pension industry is facing a deepening crisis, with more than 370 occupational pension funds awaiting dissolution by the end of 2025, raising serious concerns about the retirement security of thousands of workers. According to the Insurance and Pensions Commission (Ipec), only 479 of the country’s 968 registered occupational pension funds were active as of September 30, 2025. The remaining 489 funds were classified as inactive, with 372 of them—representing 76 percent—already awaiting formal dissolution. Analysts warn that prolonged delays in winding up these funds place workers’ long-term savings at risk, particularly for contributors who have paid into schemes for years without clarity on their benefits. Ipec’s report confirmed the deregistration of several high-profile pension funds, including those linked to the National Aids Council, Trust Holdings, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority. Deregistration typically follows the cessation of a fund’s operations, but the regulator stressed that inactive funds remain legally obligated to submit reports until they are formally dissolved in terms of the Pension and Provident Funds Act. The commission reiterated that employers, sponsors and administrators must ensure pension funds are properly registered and hold valid certificates before any contributions are remitted or administrative activities commence. Ipec warned that failure to comply undermines regulatory oversight and exposes contributors to unnecessary risk, noting that all funds must continue reporting regardless of operational status. Despite the scale of dormancy in the sector, the report pointed to signs of resilience among active pension schemes. Total pension contributions rose significantly to US$225.89 million, up from US$148.35 million recorded over the same period last year. Unpaid employer contributions declined by 9 percent, suggesting improved compliance. Sector membership also grew by 17 percent to 1.2 million, largely driven by the reinstatement of nearly 179,000 dormant members under the Construction Industry Pension Fund and the addition of more than 6,500 new contributors. Zimbabwe’s pension industry has endured prolonged pressure from hyperinflation, currency instability and economic volatility over the past two decades, factors that have eroded savings and complicated fund sustainability. Analysts caution that without accelerated reforms and timely dissolution processes, the growing number of inactive pension funds could leave thousands of workers without the retirement safety net they were promised.

Botha Gold Mine operator Side Electricals has filed an urgent High Court application seeking to block a police probe into alleged mining irregularities, encroachment and underpayment of inspection fees in Bindura ( image source ) BINDURA — Side Electricals (Pvt) Ltd, the operator of Botha Gold Mine (Kitsiyatota), has filed an urgent High Court application seeking to block a police investigation after documents from the Ministry of Mines allegedly exposed serious irregularities in the mine’s operations. The dispute arose after Side Electricals closed mining shafts operated by Angel Mpofu, Mcpern Enterprises and Laird Enterprises on November 14, 2025, without a court order. The affected miners challenged the move, and Justice Chikowero ruled that they had been unlawfully dispossessed, granting a spoliation order compelling Side Electricals to restore possession of the shafts. The Sheriff subsequently reopened the shafts, but the company allegedly closed them again, triggering contempt of court proceedings. Following these developments, the miners filed a police report, resulting in the issuance of a warrant of search and seizure. Investigators say a survey diagram obtained from the Ministry of Mines shows that Botha Gold Mine encroached onto land legally registered under Freda Rebecca Gold Mine’s Mining Lease 21. Police maintain that the warrant was lawfully obtained and executed in the public interest. Side Electricals disputes the legality of the warrant, describing it as “grossly irregular” on the basis that it was overly broad and issued to “any peace officer.” In its affidavit, the company alleged that the warrant was being abused for personal interests. However, legal observers point to concern within the company over a paragraph in its own affidavit that it attempted to prevent from being disclosed. In that paragraph, Financial Director Ashley Z. Zulu acknowledged that information obtained through the investigation could be “adversely used against the interests of the Applicant.” Critics argue that the statement reflects apprehension that the investigation could uncover incriminating evidence. ( image source ) Additional allegations suggest that Botha Gold Mine may have prejudiced the state through underpayment of statutory inspection fees. While the company reportedly declared only 40 hectares for inspection purposes, the Ministry of Mines’ survey diagram allegedly indicates that mining operations extended over more than 300 hectares. Under Statutory Instrument 40 of 2022, inspection fees are charged at US$150 per five hectares, implying that Side Electricals paid approximately US$1,200 instead of the estimated US$9,000 required for the larger operational area. The search warrant authorises investigators to obtain official mining coordinates, boundary maps and ownership records relating to the Tunisia and Jamaica shafts. Sources close to the matter say the company’s bid to block the warrant is driven by concerns that official state records could conclusively establish illegal encroachment. Legal experts argue that the urgent High Court application is less about protecting constitutional rights and more about shielding the company from potential exposure. The court is expected to rule on the matter soon, a decision that could determine whether Botha Gold Mine faces criminal liability for alleged fraud and unlawful encroachment.

Two suspects have been arrested in Limpopo after a 47-year-old Zimbabwean national was fatally stabbed inside his vehicle in Westenburg, South African police have confirmed ( image source ) LIMPOPO — South African police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a 47-year-old Zimbabwean national who was fatally stabbed inside his vehicle in Westenburg, Limpopo, earlier this week. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the victim, identified as Philip Mabusha, was found dead inside his red Ford Ranger on Tuesday, January 13. The vehicle, bearing Limpopo registration plates, was parked along a gravel road at Ivydale plot when officers from Westenburg police station responded to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police discovered Mabusha seated in the driver’s seat with multiple stab wounds to his upper body. Emergency medical services were called to the scene but declared him dead on arrival. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly lured the victim to the area under the guise of discussing price quotations. “The preliminary report suggests that the suspects called the victim to meet and discuss price quotations at the crime scene. It is not clear what transpired before the victim was fatally stabbed,” Mashaba said. Following the incident, community members reportedly apprehended one of the suspects. Mashaba confirmed that the suspect sustained injuries after being assaulted by members of the public and is currently receiving medical treatment while under police guard. A second suspect was arrested the following day, Wednesday, January 14. Police have opened a murder case against the two suspects. In addition, a separate case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been registered against community members involved in the alleged mob assault. The acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers ( image source ) The acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, urged residents to refrain from vigilantism and allow law enforcement to carry out investigations. “We call upon community members to resist the temptation of taking the law into their own hands and allow the police to do their work without interference,” Scheepers said. The motive for the killing remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing. The suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, January 16.

Zimbabwean businessman and former Shabanie Mashava Mines owner Mutumwa Mawere has died in South Africa at 66 following complications from a stroke, his family has confirmed ( image source ) JOHANNESBURG — Prominent Zimbabwean businessman and former Shabanie Mashava Mines (SMM) owner Mutumwa Mawere has died in South Africa at the age of 66. Mawere passed away on Thursday, January 15, reportedly due to complications linked to a stroke he suffered in 2024. His elder brother, Vincent Mawere, confirmed the death, saying the family was still in the process of gathering full details surrounding the circumstances. “I received the news that my brother passed on in South Africa where he was staying. He suffered a stroke in 2024. However, I am yet to get full details about what actually transpired,” he said. Mawere rose to national prominence in the mid-1990s after acquiring Shabanie Mashava Mines, then Zimbabwe’s only asbestos mining company. Under his leadership, SMM became a major employer and a significant contributor to the national economy, supporting thousands of jobs and anchoring mining communities in Midlands and Masvingo provinces. His business empire later became entangled in protracted disputes with the government in the early 2000s, culminating in the state taking control of SMM amid financial and legal challenges. The episode made Mawere one of the most controversial figures in Zimbabwe’s corporate history, often cited in debates on property rights, state intervention and economic governance. In subsequent years, Mawere relocated to South Africa, where he continued to pursue business interests and remained active in public commentary on Zimbabwe’s political and economic affairs. Despite his absence from the domestic corporate scene, he retained influence as a thinker and critic on issues of reform, entrepreneurship and governance. Following news of his death, tributes began to emerge from business associates, former colleagues and commentators, many describing Mawere as a bold and visionary entrepreneur whose career reflected both the promise and the perils of doing business in Zimbabwe’s volatile economic environment. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, with the family expected to provide further details in the coming days. Mawere’s death closes a complex chapter in Zimbabwe’s business history, leaving behind a legacy defined by ambition, resilience and controversy — emblematic of the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs navigating shifting political and economic landscapes.

Harare City Council is set to resume renovations at Rufaro Stadium as it seeks to meet CAF standards ( image source ) HARARE — The City of Harare will soon resume renovation works at Rufaro Stadium as part of efforts to bring the historic venue up to Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards, Mayor Jacob Mafume announced on Wednesday. The stadium was temporarily cleared to host local Premier Soccer League matches amid a national shortage of compliant venues, but full-scale upgrades are now set to continue. Mayor Mafume said the next phase of works will include the installation of bucket seats, digital screens and other infrastructure required for international matches. He said the city aims to convince CAF to allow continental competitions, including Champions League fixtures, to be hosted at Rufaro once the upgrades are complete. The mayor described the renovations as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Harare’s capacity to host regional and continental football while reducing reliance on foreign venues. He said upgrading Rufaro would benefit top-flight clubs and contribute to the development of local football by providing a modern, compliant facility. Mafume also emphasised the social value of investing in sport, noting that football and other sporting activities play a key role in youth development. He said structured sports programmes can help address drug and substance abuse by keeping young people engaged in positive activities. There's planned upgrades including seating and digital infrastructure ( image source ) The city council, Mafume said, will work with stakeholders including football authorities, local clubs and potential private partners to fast-track procurement and installation of equipment. While acknowledging financial and logistical challenges, he expressed confidence that phased upgrades could be implemented without disrupting ongoing league fixtures. Local clubs and supporters welcomed the announcement, saying a refurbished Rufaro Stadium would restore pride in the venue and stimulate economic activity through increased matchday events. Community leaders urged the council to prioritise transparency, safety and accessibility throughout the renovation process. As the upgrade process resumes, attention will focus on timelines and funding. If brought up to CAF standards, Rufaro Stadium could host high-profile continental matches, giving local teams home advantage and supporting Harare’s wider sporting and social objectives.

ZIMURA faces a deepening governance crisis as board members are locked out of official platforms, asset sale questions mount, and musicians demand transparency, accountability and leadership clarity ( image source ) Since the fallout at Zimura, three senior figures Dereck Mpofu, Gift Amuli and Joseph Garakara have publicly distanced themselves from the turmoil engulfing the musicians’ union. For that stance, they say they have been locked out of all official Zimura social media platforms. The irony is hard to ignore. Mpofu is the chair of communications, Garakara his deputy. Yet both are now unable to perform the very mandate artists elected them to carry out. Who made that decision and under whose authority? These are not rhetorical questions. They go to the heart of governance at an institution meant to safeguard artists’ rights. Reports suggest that Zimura deputy director Makumbe allegedly went as far as infiltrating a new WhatsApp group formed by the sidelined board members after locking them out of the original one. If true, this is not just petty infighting. It signals a collapse of basic professional standards and raises serious concerns about the culture inside the secretariat. Musicians, meanwhile, appear to be siding with the dissenting board members. Many artists have openly called for the arrest of Polisile, the director critics accuse of masquerading as an executive director, along with members of her executive team, including Makumbe. These are grave allegations that demand independent scrutiny, not dismissal as factional noise. At the centre of the storm is the alleged sale of Zimura’s offices. Questions continue to mount over the involvement of board member Alexio Gwenzi, who is employed by Seef Real Estate Agency. Why was a board member with direct ties to a property firm involved in a transaction concerning union property? Why were musicians not consulted? And why do the figures being cited for the sale fail to reconcile? When collective property is disposed of without transparent consultation, the process begins to smell of impropriety at best and fraud at worst. Equally troubling are claims that the same board member is refusing to hand over communications tools to the newly constituted board. Who benefits from controlling the union’s voice? Who profits when information is restricted and accountability muted? Then there is the question of salaries. Musicians complain that secretariat remuneration packages are excessive when compared with the paltry payouts artists receive. How can a musicians’ union justify administrative salaries that far exceed members’ earnings? Who approved them, and on what basis? The new board members argue that Zimura needs urgent house-cleaning. Their critics brand them rebels. But labels are irrelevant. What matters is transparency. Zimura’s future hinges on accountability. Artists must demand answers now before trust is irreparably broken. ( image source )

A Harare car import agent, Kundayi Abraham, appears in court accused of defrauding a client of US$9 182 in a failed vehicle import deal. Case remanded to February 2 ( image source ) Harare — A car import agent, Kundayi Abraham (31), appeared before Harare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges after allegedly defrauding a local man of US$9 182 in a failed vehicle import deal. Abraham was formally charged with fraud by magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai, and the case was remanded to February 2. The complainant, Genius Tinotenda Mukosera, reportedly engaged Abraham in July 2025 to import two vehicles — a Toyota Aqua and a Mercedes-Benz — from Japan. According to the State, represented by prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe, Abraham charged Mukosera a total of US$9 182, paid in instalments, assuring delivery within two months. However, after the agreed period lapsed, Abraham allegedly made repeated excuses and delays. Prosecutors told the court that Abraham became increasingly evasive, prompting Mukosera to report the matter to police. The State alleges Abraham misrepresented his ability to import the vehicles, resulting in the complainant losing US$9 182, with no funds recovered to date. The case will continue on February 2.

Bernard Murambidzi launches Spartans FC in Murewa ( image source ) Harare — Prominent businessman and former Sky Tournament chairperson Bernard Murambidzi has shifted his focus to grassroots football development with the launch of Spartans FC, a rural-based club founded in Murewa in 2024. The initiative reflects Murambidzi’s commitment to bridging the gap between untapped rural talent and professional football scouting structures, which often overlook young athletes outside major urban centres. Murambidzi describes Spartans FC as more than a football club, positioning it as a platform for social transformation and youth empowerment. “Social responsibility is our foundation, not an afterthought,” he said in an interview with Southerton Business Times. “We operate in spaces where young people possess immense talent but face limited opportunities. Spartans FC exists to be that opportunity.” He explained that the club was born out of a sense of duty to communities where sport can offer structure, discipline and hope. “For us, grassroots football is about belief,” Murambidzi added. “Every training session and every match reinforces the idea that a young person’s background does not dictate their future.” focusing on grassroots football, youth empowerment, and rural talent development, aiming to build Zimbabwe’s next generation of disciplined athletes and community leaders ( image source ) Murambidzi is no stranger to talent identification, having previously organised high-profile sporting platforms such as the Sky Tournament. He believes structured sport plays a critical role in shaping character and purpose, particularly among rural youth. Looking ahead, Murambidzi envisions Spartans FC evolving into a full-scale sports academy, integrating football training with education and life-skills development. “Our goal is to produce disciplined athletes who are also responsible citizens and future leaders,” he said. “We want to build a legacy that benefits Zimbabwean youth and sports development for generations.” To dedicate himself fully to the project, Murambidzi recently stepped down as Sky Tournament chairperson, committing his full attention to the growth and sustainability of Spartans FC.

A HOPLEY man has been sentenced to 15 years in jail by Harare magistrate Sandra Mupindu after he attempted to sodomise a Grade 6 boy ( image source ) HARARE — A Hopley resident, John Chamboko, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a Harare magistrate found him guilty of attempting to sodomise a Grade 6 pupil. Magistrate Sandra Mupindu handed down the custodial term after ruling that the State had presented overwhelming evidence, taking into account the timing of the complaint and the accused’s defence. The court heard that the incident occurred on 17 November 2025, when the minor was bathing at home. Prosecutors say Chamboko entered the bathroom claiming he needed to use the toilet. Once inside, he allegedly made sexual advances, telling the boy he was handsome and requesting anal sex. When the child refused, the accused reportedly attempted to bribe him with US$5 to secure his silence. According to the prosecution, the complainant tried to leave the bathroom but was grabbed by Chamboko, who pulled him closer and lowered his trousers to expose his erect genitals. The boy resisted, striking the accused with an elbow and managing to escape. He immediately reported the assault to his mother, who, with the help of neighbours, escorted Chamboko to ZRP Southlea Park to lay a formal complaint. Magistrate Mupindu said the evidence presented by the State, including the victim’s testimony and the circumstances surrounding the report, left the court satisfied of Chamboko’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The magistrate rejected the accused’s denials and emphasised the need for stern sentences in cases involving sexual offences against children. The sentence reflects the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting minors and deterring sexual violence. Legal observers noted that the conviction underscores the importance of prompt reporting and community action in bringing alleged offenders to justice. Neighbours’ intervention and the mother’s swift response were highlighted in court as critical to ensuring the matter was investigated. Child protection advocates welcomed the sentence but urged broader measures to prevent such incidents. They called for increased community awareness, stronger safeguarding in neighbourhoods, and accessible support services for victims and families. Psychosocial support for the child and his family was recommended to help them recover from the trauma. The case has reignited calls for vigilance in communities and for authorities to prioritise child safety. Police and social services were urged to work closely with schools and local leaders to strengthen prevention strategies and ensure that children who report abuse receive timely protection and care.

A reflective opinion on Zimbabwe’s informal economy, exploring why foreign traders see opportunity where locals see survival, and what this reveals about narratives, migration and economic imagination ( image source ) In the past fortnight, I have had the unexpected pleasure of buying airtime and small trinkets in Harare’s CBD from a pair of young Portuguese-speaking men from Mozambique. Their assessment of Zimbabwe was simple and almost disarming: this is a land of opportunity. For many locals, that sounds either naïve or provocative. Opportunity is not how most Zimbabweans describe life in an economy defined by currency instability, informalisation and the steady erosion of formal employment. Yet for these two young traders, Harare is not a crisis zone. It is a market. That contrast deserves reflection. Opportunity is always relative. What feels like stagnation to those inside a system can look like open terrain to those arriving from the outside. In much of the region, informal trading is more tightly policed, entry costs are higher, and competition is fiercer. In Harare, despite all the dysfunction, the streets remain porous, the rules elastic, and demand for everyday goods constant. To outsiders, this is not merely disorder. It is space. Zimbabwe’s informal economy has evolved into one of the most adaptive survival systems in Southern Africa. Mobile-money workarounds, cross-border sourcing networks, street-level distribution chains — these are not just symptoms of collapse. They are evidence of economic intelligence under pressure. Foreign traders often see this clearly. Many locals, exhausted by years of uncertainty, no longer do. With more than two-thirds of the workforce now operating outside formal employment, informality is no longer the exception in Zimbabwe — it is the economy. The tragedy is that we continue to narrate it as failure, while others approach it as terrain. This is where we may be missing the point. For Zimbabweans, informality often feels like a personal indictment — proof that the promise of stability slipped away. For migrants, it is simply the market as it exists. They arrive without nostalgia for what Zimbabwe once was. They see only what it is: a dense consumer space with unmet needs and relatively low barriers to entry. Locals carry the emotional weight of decline. Outsiders carry only calculation. There is also the psychology of proximity. When you live inside a prolonged crisis, you stop seeing its edges. You see only its centre — the hardship, the exhaustion, the constant improvisation. But those just outside the circle see something else: circulation, trade, possibility. Zimbabweans often look to South Africa or the UK and see opportunity because distance makes hope easier. Mozambicans, Malawians and Congolese increasingly look at Zimbabwe in much the same way. This does not mean the economy is quietly thriving. It means that even in constrained systems, niches exist — and those with fewer expectations are quicker to occupy them. Another uncomfortable truth is that many locals are overqualified for the economy they inhabit. A graduate selling airtime feels like failure. A migrant selling airtime feels like progress. The difference is not income. It is narrative. Zimbabweans measure themselves against a lost middle-class stability. Foreign traders measure themselves against yesterday’s poverty. So where, exactly, are we missing it? Perhaps in our tendency to equate opportunity only with formality — offices, payslips, contracts, titles. The economy we have today rewards flexibility, speed and tolerance for risk more than certificates. Outsiders arrive already calibrated for this reality. Locals resist it, hoping for the return of an economy that may not come back in the same form. Perhaps also in our habit of seeing crisis but not circulation. Money still moves in Harare. Goods still change hands. Demand still exists — for food, airtime, data, clothing, transport and entertainment. The margins are thin, but they are real. Migrants survive not because Zimbabwe is easy, but because they accept small wins as wins. There is something quietly instructive in being told by a foreigner that your struggling country is full of opportunity. It forces an uncomfortable reappraisal — not of the economy alone, but of our expectations of it. Zimbabwe is not simply a land of lost opportunity. It is a land of different opportunity — smaller, messier, informal, unglamorous. Outsiders understand this instinctively. Locals, burdened by memory and disappointment, often overlook it. And yet every day in the CBD, opportunity is being bought and sold — one airtime voucher, one trinket, one small risk at a time. The real question is not why foreigners see opportunity here. It is why our policies, our narratives, and our economic imagination still behave as if this informal economy does not exist. Simbarashe Namusi is a peace, leadership and governance scholar as well as a media expert. He writes in his personal capacity.

A sharp opinion piece on DJ Ollah 7 and Silent Killer Ngwere, examining artist professionalism, predictable chaos, media spectacle, and why no one should be surprised anymore ( image source ) Let’s stop whispering and say it loudly: DJ Ollah 7 is not new to this game. He is a seasoned journalist, a professional chaos translator, and a man who understands exactly how controversy converts into clicks, conversations and data bundles. And Silent Killer Ngwere? He is Zimbabwe’s most reliable no-show. If failing to pitch for gigs were an Olympic sport, Ngwere would have a medal ceremony scheduled — and still not arrive. This is not gossip. It is a documented pattern, stretched so long that even Google Maps knows the route. Ollah knows it too. In fact, he has built an entire content lane around it. Every time Ngwere disappears from a booked show, Ollah appears — microphone ready. The interviews heat up, the comment sections explode, the views climb, and everyone eats. Ngwere’s chaos has consistently translated into good business. So let’s not rewrite history now. Then came the now-infamous US$500 “booking fee”. Ollah says he paid Ngwere in advance to secure his performance. Fair enough. But let’s be honest — who didn’t see the ending coming? Every Zimbabwean artist dreams of performing in the diaspora at some point. Ngwere too, apparently. But history has taught us one important thing: even advance payment has never stopped Ngwere from not pitching. And, shockingly, he didn’t pitch. Again. This is where the story becomes unintentionally hilarious. Because Ollah reacting like he was blindsided is like a man buying a goat from Mbare Musika and being shocked that it bleats. Brother. You knew. Let’s break it down using proper Zimbabwean science. Imagine a group of friends doing chikorokoza. Among them is Humba — the official drunkard. Everyone knows Humba. He disappears with money. He fights trees. He argues with goats. But sometimes, just sometimes, he dives into dangerous mine shafts and comes back with gold. One day, the group gives Humba US$100 to buy food. Humba disappears into the bottle store. Is anyone surprised? No. Because Humba is being Humba. Ngwere is Humba — but with a microphone. Unpredictable. Chaotic. But remarkably consistent in his inconsistency. And Ollah knows this. He has receipts. He has interviews. He has playlists of missed flights. So acting shocked now feels a bit… theatrical. For the record, Ngwere’s attendance record reads like this: 2022, Gweru: Booked. Absent. 2023, Harare: Paid. Missing. 2024, Mutare: On the poster. Not on the stage. 2025, UK diaspora show: Plane boarded? Absolutely not. Each time, the story grew. Each time, the audience tuned in. Each time, Ngwere’s brand as Zimbabwe’s Most Unpredictable Artist got stronger. So yes — Ngwere deserves criticism. Artists must honour contracts. Professionalism is not optional. But let’s also be honest. Ollah didn’t fall into this trap. He walked in with his eyes wide open. Ngwere’s unreliability is his brand. Ollah’s sharp storytelling is his brand. Together, they’ve cooked a recurring series called Chaos & Mutoriro — Season 5. And the funniest part? We’re all watching. So let’s stop pretending. Ollah, don’t act shocked. You knew.

Highfield residents are invited to a public consultation on the proposed designation of Mbizi Police Station as a Liberation Heritage Site, as NMMZ seeks community input to preserve Zimbabwe’s liberation history ( image source ) In a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s heritage preservation efforts, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), working alongside the Southerton Constituency Development Trust, will this weekend convene a public consultation to deliberate on the proposed elevation of Mbizi Police Station to Liberation Heritage Site status. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, 17 January 2026, starting at 10:00 AM, at the historic Cyril Jennings Hall in Highfield. Highfield occupies a central place in Zimbabwe’s liberation history and is widely regarded as the cradle of nationalist resistance. Mbizi Police Station stands at the heart of that story, not merely as a physical structure but as a silent witness to decades of repression, resistance, resilience and political awakening. Momentum has been building behind efforts to formally gazette the station as a national heritage site, and the upcoming meeting is intended to root that process firmly within the community itself. Officials from NMMZ and the Southerton Constituency Development Trust are expected to outline proposed rehabilitation plans, detailing how the site would be preserved, restored and protected while maintaining its historical authenticity. Cyril Jennings Hall in Highfield ( image source ) Organisers have stressed that the consultation is not intended to be a purely technical exercise. Central to the process is the gathering of memory and lived experience. Community members — particularly elders, liberation war veterans and long-time residents — are being encouraged to attend and share their personal recollections of Mbizi Police Station during the liberation era. These testimonies, described by organisers as “living intelligence,” are viewed as essential to ensuring that the site reflects both the historical facts and the emotional weight associated with it. The meeting aims to explore what occurred at the site, what should be remembered, and how that history should be presented to future generations. The consultation represents an opportunity for collective historical authorship, allowing Highfield residents to directly shape how their past is preserved and interpreted. Organisers argue that heritage divorced from community memory risks becoming hollow, regardless of its physical preservation. For Mbizi Police Station to stand as an authentic monument to the liberation struggle, the voices of those who lived that history must inform its narrative. As the meeting approaches, residents of Southerton and Highfield are being urged to treat attendance as a civic responsibility. Properly developed heritage sites can become cultural, educational and economic anchors for their communities, supporting tourism, learning and local pride. Saturday’s gathering offers residents a rare opportunity to ensure Mbizi’s legacy is secured with dignity, accuracy and depth, and that history is not written about the community without the community itself.