By Mpundu Valerie Disclaimer: This is a personal account as told by the carer. Names have been used as provided by the narrator. The story describes his experience of caring for his wife and is not medical advice. She was calm, soft-spoken, and funny until headaches, seizures, and a temper no one understood took over. Not many would have stayed in my position. For a man to bow and commit to his vows when everything in the house is screaming is something not many might understand. Hillary says this quietly, not as a badge of honour, but as a fact. Sheila stood by me when all odds were against me. She was my ride or die. The one who deserved to be loved because she had earned it. He describes her as calm, soft-spoken, funny, and always in her element. Waking up every day by her bedside, he says, was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. That was before 2018. Around 2018, Sheila started developing very strong headaches. Paracetamol would not help. The family thought she was overworking. There was an upcoming conference she had put everything into. Her headaches became consistent. Then her temper changed. She would snap even at the tiniest things. Sometimes she would text a whole PDF explaining and crying because he had left a coffee mug on the table. At times she would just scream for no reason. "I took it, and appreciated my beautiful wife," Hillary remembers. "I saw this as pressure building up from the conference. Yet there was more to it." In her finer moments, she was still the sweetest he had ever known. Her presence would brighten even the darkest room. That contrast between the woman he knew and the woman who would suddenly explode is what kept him confused. One day she had a seizure. We ignored it. Pressure, we said. Then the second time, she threw violent tantrums and fell off. When she woke up, she curled beside me and said, "I don't know what is wrong with me... I can't take this anymore, I am falling apart, it is not your fault, but I am failing to understand what is going on in my head... I need help." "I just held her, stared blankly, and dropped a tear. I had never seen this side to her." That is when we went to Sten's office. Sten is a family friend. He sat us down and explained. He said Sheila had a cancer called glioblastoma Grade 4, the fastest and most serious kind. It does not stay in one place. It spreads like roots into the brain around it. He said because of where it was, at the front of her brain where personality lives, it was pressing on who she was. That was why paracetamol was not working for her morning headaches, why she was vomiting, why she was so tired, and why she had the seizures. That was also why she was snapping. The shouting over a coffee mug, the long angry texts it was not her being difficult. It was the tumor sitting on the part that controls her mood. That was the first time I understood. It was not Sheila. It was what was happening inside her head. After that, things became more irrational, not less. The headaches were worse when waking up. She would struggle to find words, drag her foot, bump into things on one side, then get angry that he noticed. She would accuse him, push him away, then minutes later hold him and cry like a child. It made things worse for Hillary, yet he stayed. The hardest pain was not the shouting. It was watching her fade away every day. Watching the funny, soft-spoken woman who lit up a room struggle to be herself, while still fighting inside a head that was failing her. This is the part carers rarely say out loud. How do you tell people your sick wife is shouting at you every day? How do you complain about someone who is dying? So many stay silent, absorbing words that pierce, because the alternative — leaving — feels like betrayal. Hillary stayed because he understood, finally, that the temper was not Sheila. The temper was where the tumor lived. "She stood by me when all odds were against me. Waking up by her was still the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Even on the hard days." Cancer awareness matters. Persistent or worsening headaches, seizures, new speech difficulties, weakness, or sudden changes in behaviour warrant urgent medical assessment. These symptoms can have many causes and do not, on their own, establish a cancer diagnosis. #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetectionSavesLives To share your story, kindly reach out on 263 774 778 179. caring for a wife with brain cancer

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Zimbabwe has proposed the establishment of a regional circular economy fund to finance green industrial projects across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), as the country calls on member states to turn policy commitments into practical economic outcomes. Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu made the proposal on Monday, 19 October 2026, while addressing the COMESA Green Industries Connect conference at the Harare International Conference Centre. He said sustainable industrialisation was essential to strengthening economic resilience, improving competitiveness and using resources more efficiently across the 21-member regional bloc. “Our gathering comes at a defining moment for our region, as we intensify efforts to expand manufacturing, mobilise investment, strengthen regional value chains, and create sustainable employment,” Ndlovu told delegates. “We must move beyond commitments and translate our shared industrialisation ambitions into concrete outcomes.” The proposed COMESA Circular Economy Fund would support commercially viable enterprises investing in cleaner production, energy-efficient machinery, recycling infrastructure and technologies that convert waste into useful products. Ndlovu said the facility would require transparent eligibility criteria and sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure that funding supports viable projects with measurable industrial and environmental benefits. The proposal comes as COMESA seeks to expand circular business models and strengthen value chains in sectors including leather, textiles, plastics and electronic waste. Recommendations from the Green Industries Connect are expected to feed into discussions at the bloc’s 25th Heads of State and Government Summit. Zimbabwe outlines green industrial measures Ndlovu said Zimbabwe was working with the Climate Technology Centre and Network on a national decarbonisation roadmap for the cement industry. He also highlighted investments in renewable energy, energy-efficient machinery and water-recycling systems as part of efforts to improve industrial performance and reduce environmental impacts. The minister called for closer regional cooperation to remove barriers that increase the cost of trading manufactured goods. He said member states should align green standards, harmonise product testing and strengthen conformity assessments to reduce compliance costs and improve trade within Africa. Ndlovu also identified electric mobility as an emerging industrial opportunity, urging countries to develop capacity across the value chain, including battery technologies, charging infrastructure, electric vehicle assembly and end-of-life battery recycling. He said regional economies needed to move beyond exporting raw materials and capture more value through processing and manufacturing. Citing Zimbabwe’s shipment of locally processed lithium sulphate to China, Ndlovu highlighted the importance of mineral beneficiation and agro-processing in retaining a greater share of economic value within domestic economies. “The success of this agenda will be measured not by the number of strategies adopted, but by the investments mobilised, factories modernised, resources used more efficiently, enterprises developed, and jobs created,” he said. COMESA chairmanship offers regional opportunities Zimbabwe is preparing to assume the rotating chairmanship of COMESA at the bloc’s 25th summit, scheduled for 22 October 2026 in Harare. The summit follows several days of business and policy engagements, including the Green Industries Connect and the COMESA Business Forum. The chairmanship is expected to give Zimbabwe a platform to promote its industrialisation and regional trade priorities while strengthening engagement with businesses, investors and development partners. The country intends to encourage exports of finished and processed goods, including agro-industrial products, textiles, leather products and beneficiated minerals, rather than relying primarily on raw-material exports. Other priorities include reducing non-tariff barriers, streamlining customs procedures and lowering cross-border transport and logistics costs. Zimbabwe also hopes to use regional business platforms and the Multisectoral International Exhibition, running at the Harare International Conference Centre from 19 to 21 October, to showcase investment opportunities and connect local enterprises with regional markets. Ndlovu reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s willingness to work with COMESA member states, the Secretariat and private-sector stakeholders to advance practical partnerships. The proposed circular economy fund remains a proposal. Its eventual impact will depend on whether member states and financing partners agree on its structure, funding sources and implementation arrangements. For Zimbabwean businesses, the broader opportunity lies in converting regional market access into increased production, value addition, investment and employment. COMESA Circular Economy Fund

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare The State has withdrawn charges against Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) convenor Tendai Biti and fellow leader Morgan Ncube, seven months after their arrest over allegations of convening a public meeting in Mutare without notifying the authorities. CDF National Spokesperson Jacob Rukweza welcomed the decision in a statement issued on Monday, 19 October 2026, saying the withdrawal vindicated the organisation’s position that the two leaders were innocent. “The Constitution Defenders Forum welcomes the withdrawal of charges against its leaders Tendai Biti and Morgan Ncube today, seven months after their arrest on 21 March 2026,” Rukweza said. He maintained that the two should never have been arrested, insisting that they had not committed any offence. “From day one, we have known and maintained that our leaders were innocent because they did not commit any crime. The withdrawal of charges by the State has vindicated us and confirmed what we had always known,” he said. Biti and Ncube were arrested on 21 March 2026 over allegations that they had convened a public meeting in Mutare without notifying the regulating authority, allegedly contravening the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act. CDF alleges political persecution Rukweza described the allegations as false and accused the ruling ZANU PF party of using the legal system to suppress dissent and target activists campaigning for the protection of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution. He said the arrests formed part of what the CDF considers a deliberate effort to frustrate its leaders and intimidate members of the public opposed to proposed constitutional changes. “The objective is to intimidate and frustrate CDF leaders, instil fear in the general public and to demobilise the democratic contingent fighting against the mutilation of the national constitution,” Rukweza said. He added that the organisation would continue its campaign despite what it described as attempts to weaken its activities. “The CDF membership will not be shaken or intimidated by these primitive tactics by a regime intoxicated with power and determined to turn this republic into a monarchy,” he said. Rukweza said the organisation remained committed to its stated goal of defending the 2013 Constitution. “We are determined to fight on until the 2013 Constitution is restored,” he said. The withdrawal ends the current prosecution against Biti and Ncube, although the statement provided by the CDF does not specify the legal basis for the State’s decision or whether the withdrawal was with or without the possibility of bringing the charges again. The State’s position on the reasons for withdrawing the charges was not included in the CDF statement. The development comes amid the CDF’s campaign against what it describes as efforts to alter the country’s constitutional framework. The organisation says it intends to continue advocating for the preservation of the 2013 Constitution. Tendai Biti and Morgan Ncube charges withdrawn

By Southerton Business Times Reporter A Kenyan court has found self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and 28 associates guilty of murdering 191 people, including 190 children, in the Shakahola Forest starvation cult case. The verdict was delivered on Monday, 19 October 2026, at the Mombasa High Court, bringing a major development in one of Kenya’s most disturbing cases of religious extremism. Mackenzie was accused of directing followers to starve themselves and their children to death in the belief that they would meet Jesus. The deaths occurred at a remote settlement associated with his Good News International Church in Shakahola Forest, near the coastal town of Malindi. “I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case against all the 29 accused persons for the murder of 190 children and one adult,” the judge said. Mackenzie reportedly remained impassive as the judgment was delivered. The case emerged in April 2023 after authorities received information about followers who were allegedly starving in the forest. Subsequent investigations uncovered hundreds of bodies buried in shallow graves, triggering a major recovery and forensic operation. The wider death toll has exceeded 400, with Kenyan authorities reporting that 429 bodies had been recovered. The 191 deaths covered by the murder case represent only part of the wider tragedy. Families seek justice Relatives of the victims travelled to Mombasa to follow the proceedings, hoping the verdict would bring accountability and help prevent similar tragedies. Francis Wanje, 62, lost eight family members, including his daughter and two grandchildren. “This day, to me, is a very, very important day,” he told AFP before the hearing. He said he hoped the ruling would serve as a warning to the public and prevent similar incidents, while expressing anger over what he viewed as the authorities’ initial failure to act. Prosecutors describe organised fasting The prosecution alleged that Mackenzie initiated and directed extreme fasting at his approximately 800-acre ranch in Shakahola Forest. Prosecutors described a structured hierarchy in which children were expected to die first, followed by teenagers, women and men. According to evidence presented by the prosecution, post-mortem examinations and police reports indicated that children died mainly from starvation, although other causes, including asphyxia, neck compression and traumatic head injuries, were also recorded. The case has renewed debate in Kenya over the regulation of religious organisations and the monitoring of groups whose leaders promote potentially dangerous practices. Mackenzie had previously faced legal action. He was arrested in 2017 on charges related to radicalisation but was acquitted. In 2019, he was arrested in connection with the deaths of two children before being released on bail. He was arrested again in April 2023 following the Shakahola revelations. Other cases remain pending The murder proceedings are separate from other cases in which Mackenzie faces charges, including manslaughter and terrorism-related offences. He has denied those charges. In January 2026, he was also charged in connection with 52 additional bodies discovered at a nearby village, according to reports. The Shakahola tragedy has raised serious questions about the exploitation of religious belief, the protection of children and the responsibility of authorities to intervene when credible warnings of abuse or deaths emerge. For families who lost loved ones, Monday’s verdict marked a significant step towards accountability, although the wider investigations and related legal proceedings continue. Paul Mackenzie Shakahola massacre

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Chitungwiza Municipality has started impounding broken-down and abandoned vehicles from shopping centres, road verges and overnight guarded car parks in Zengeza as part of a clean-up operation conducted with the Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED). In a statement issued on Monday, 19 October 2026, the council said vehicles had so far been impounded at Zengeza 4 Terminus, also known as Bhotoro-zai Shops, and along both sides of Tilcor Road in Zengeza 3 and Zengeza 4. The operation follows a public notice issued on 12 October, giving residents, vehicle owners and operators of overnight car parks time to remove abandoned and broken-down vehicles, including scrap vehicle shells. The notice covered car parks, shopping centres, bus termini and open spaces identified by the municipality as requiring attention. The council said owners whose vehicles have been impounded can recover them after paying the prescribed fines. Vehicles that remain unclaimed will be sold at a public auction or otherwise disposed of, according to the municipality. The clean-up has received support from some residents, who say abandoned vehicles have become potential hiding places for criminals while contributing to the deterioration of the local environment. The operation is part of efforts to clear public and commercial spaces of disused vehicles and improve the condition of affected areas in Zengeza. Vehicle owners and car park operators are being reminded to comply with the council’s notice to avoid penalties or the loss of unclaimed vehicles. The municipality has not provided details in the statement on the total number of vehicles impounded or the amount of fines payable. Chitungwiza abandoned vehicles

By Mpundu Valerie Disclaimer: This story is inspired by real emotions but is a work of creative storytelling. Names and some events have been changed. Medical details have been simplified for storytelling purposes and are not medical advice. Bella had serious vocal cords. Even her yawn would make anybody pay attention. She could hold a note with her breath never selling her out. I adored and loved every moment she sang in school. We were popular because we all sang, but Bella was mostly favoured, and I understood why. I would also have favoured her. That girl was vocally gifted. We always won in school competitions. She was going far, and we always pictured her name on billboards, in magazines. Her vocal prowess was eloquently unmatched. Competing against her was a total waste. Dad had her whole life planned. He would manage and support her. He had understood Bella was a gift the world deserved to hear. After we had finished our A-Levels, Dad wanted us to relocate. We were about to leave and live the American dream. All we had thought and dreamt of was inches away from reality. While Dad planned travel for us, my sister was getting booked for private performances. One day she choked on her voice. It was then she started showing symptoms that never stopped. The doctor showed us a small butterfly in her neck. He said it's called the thyroid it sits right on top of the voice box, in front of the windpipe. In Bella, that butterfly had grown a hard stone inside it. Cancer. That stone was pressing on the nerve that makes us speak and sing, the recurrent laryngeal nerve. That's why her voice was choking, why she was hoarse, why her breath was short. We were all broken and shattered when we heard the doctor say she won't be able to sing anymore. That was okay, maybe. Not until the doctor told us she didn't have much time to live. I couldn't bear to hear the rest of the explanation. I bolted out of the room and ran till I could not run no more. I was crushed, broken. Every fibre in my body hurt. I wanted to die in her place. Why had we been dealt this hand? What great sin had we committed for a punishment like that to be sent upon us? My parents were pretending to be strong. But in the middle of the night I could hear them screaming. Their tears ran out of their beds. The atmosphere grew heavy. They were crumbling. Dad pooled and pulled all funds just to save Bella. It was too little, too late. Her last moment was the hardest thing we have ever watched. We were all around her bed. The machine was beeping slowly. She was trying to breathe, but the stone in her neck wouldn't let air pass freely. Her chest was working so hard. We held her hands. She tried to say something no sound came out, only her eyes. Her eyes were still singing even when her voice couldn't. She looked at each of us, one by one, as if to say thank you, as if to say it's okay, as if to say don't cry. Then her hand went cold in mine. And the beep became one long, straight line. I have never heard a silence that loud. And whenever someone takes the time to listen, truly listen, to another human being, I imagine that somewhere, in a place beyond my understanding, Bella is singing again. Her voice was silenced. But the love it left behind is still speaking. To share your journey, reach out on 263 774778179. The Voice We Lost

By Daniel Tarisayi, Licensed Psychologist Part 3: Building Stronger Relationships Anger is a natural human emotion, but how we respond to it can determine whether a disagreement becomes an opportunity for understanding or a conflict that damages relationships. One of the most effective ways to manage anger is surprisingly simple: pause before reacting. Why Waiting Helps One of the most powerful anger-management tools is simply taking a brief pause. The emotional part of the brain reacts almost instantly, while the thinking part of the brain takes a little longer to assess the situation. Research suggests that even a brief pause can give the brain time to regain control, helping a person respond more wisely rather than emotionally. Instead of reacting immediately when upset, it is often better to take a deep breath, count slowly, pray, or step away for a moment. A short pause can prevent many conflicts from becoming major problems. The Pressure Cooker Effect Unexpressed emotions can build over time like pressure inside a cooker. When frustrations, disappointments, and hurts are ignored, they accumulate until eventually they explode. Warning signs of emotional pressure include: - Becoming irritated over minor issues. - Withdrawing from family, friends, or colleagues. - Difficulty sleeping. - Frequent frustration. - Passive-aggressive behaviour. - Increased alcohol or substance use. - Sudden angry outbursts. Recognizing these warning signs early allows people to seek help before emotions become overwhelming. Why Small Issues Become Big Problems Many conflicts grow because people react to assumptions rather than facts. Sometimes individuals feel disrespected, carry unresolved hurts from the past, or become influenced by fear, pride, and insecurity. Unspoken expectations can also create misunderstanding and disappointment. One of the most important psychological realities is that people are often not angry about what actually happened. Instead, they become angry about the meaning they attach to the situation. For example, if a spouse forgets an anniversary, one person may see it as a simple mistake, while another may interpret it as a sign that they are not valued. The emotional response is often driven by interpretation rather than the event itself. anger management and conflict resolution

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare HARARE – The operators of Trauma Centre in Borrowdale, Vislink Investments (Private) Limited, have sued CIMAS Health Group (Private) Limited for US$1,000,001 in defamation damages over a bulletin alleging that the hospital installed a surveillance camera on leased premises without the medical insurer’s knowledge or consent. The High Court lawsuit, filed under case number HCH5019/26, follows a dispute over a September 14, 2026 bulletin titled “Member Update on Access to Services at Trauma Centre, Borrowdale”, which CIMAS circulated to its members and medical practitioners. Through its lawyers, Venturas & Samukange, Vislink argues that the bulletin presented the camera allegation as an established fact rather than a claim requiring verification. The hospital operator alleges that the publication was false and damaging to its professional reputation and public trust. It further argues that circulation through electronic and social media platforms widened the potential impact. The court has not yet determined whether the publication was defamatory or whether CIMAS is liable for the damages claimed. Dispute began with surveillance concerns The lawsuit follows an earlier urgent chamber application by CIMAS seeking an interdict against Vislink Investments and Drochia Investments (Private) Limited over concerns relating to surveillance and patient confidentiality. In response, Trauma Centre representative Rutendo Mhembere denied that any new cameras had been installed in the doctors’ wing. She said the only camera in the area was a security unit positioned above the main entrance, which had allegedly been in place for about 10 years. The dispute escalated on September 16, when a court-ordered inspection was conducted to establish the factual basis of the allegation. According to Vislink’s legal team, the inspection failed to locate the alleged hidden camera, with CIMAS representatives reportedly unable to identify or produce the device. Vislink argues that the inspection did not establish the basis for the allegation contained in the bulletin. However, the inspection’s reported outcome does not, by itself, determine the legal merits of the defamation claim. Hospital demanded public retraction On September 21, Vislink, through its lawyers, issued CIMAS with a 48-hour ultimatum demanding a public retraction of the disputed statement. The demands reportedly included corrections in two daily newspapers, circulation of the correction to recipients of the original bulletin, and removal of the publication from digital platforms under CIMAS’s control. Vislink’s legal team maintained that CIMAS’s move to withdraw its earlier court application would not amount to a formal retraction of the bulletin or correct the impression created among recipients. Following the reported failure to meet the demands, Vislink proceeded with the defamation lawsuit. The summons was served on CIMAS at its Borrowdale Office Park premises, with the medical aid group given 10 business days to enter an appearance to defend, according to the information contained in the court papers. Legal battle centres on reputation and privacy The case places two important issues in contention: concerns about surveillance and patient confidentiality, and the potential reputational consequences of publishing allegations about a healthcare facility. For Vislink, the central complaint is that the bulletin allegedly communicated an unverified claim as fact, potentially undermining confidence in the hospital. CIMAS’s original application, meanwhile, arose from concerns about the alleged camera and its implications for privacy. The US$1,000,001 claim represents the amount sought by Vislink; it is not an award of damages by the court. The case remains subject to the High Court process, and the available information does not establish a final judicial determination on the disputed allegations. Trauma Centre sues CIMAS

By Mpundu Valerie As conversations on leadership, responsibility, and national development continue to grow, author Evans Zekias Kurangwa is bringing a new perspective to the table with his latest book. Two timeless challenges from President John F. Kennedy and from scripture form its foundation: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" and "First remove the log from your own eye before you talk about the speck in your brother's eye." Kurangwa will officially launch Mastering Yourself First this Friday, with a blunt but timely message: You cannot master others, you cannot master society, and you cannot master the world before you master yourself first. "This is not simply about launching a book. It is about introducing an idea, sharing a philosophy and starting a conversation important to every individual, organisation, community and nation," Kurangwa said. This is a book on self-retrospection and introspection. It calls readers to take responsibility instead of blaming leaders, institutions and circumstances. "How many times have we criticised our leaders and communities without asking what responsibility we have in making things better? How many times have we wanted other people to change without examining ourselves?" he asks. Known for his earlier works "Customer Service: The Happy People", "Play to Win", "Handbook for Admin Assistants", "Team Building" and "Personal Effectiveness", Kurangwa says self-mastery is where all transformation begins. "It requires us to examine our thoughts, attitudes, habits, emotions and decisions. To develop discipline when nobody is watching, integrity when nobody is checking," he said. "You cannot demand discipline from others while refusing to practise it yourself. Leadership begins with example." Kurangwa stresses that society is not abstract. It is families, workplaces, businesses and communities. When individuals become more accountable, institutions become stronger. "I wrote this book to challenge readers to look inward before looking outward, to take responsibility before assigning blame. Before we change the family, the organization or the nation, we must change the person in the mirror," he said. The book invites every reader to answer three questions: Who am I becoming? What must I change within myself? And how can my personal growth contribute to others? The launch marks the beginning of what the author hopes will become a national conversation on responsibility, character, and leadership. Master yourself first. Lead by example. Serve with purpose. Mastering Yourself First book

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has set aside a High Court judgment that sought to expand access to lawful abortion, ruling that the lower court had not fully assessed whether restrictions under the country’s Termination of Pregnancy Act unjustifiably limit constitutional rights. In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the seven-member court declined to confirm declarations that provisions of the decades-old legislation were unconstitutional. It found that the High Court had not properly examined the constitutional rights at stake or applied the required test for determining whether limitations on those rights could be justified. The decision does not conclusively establish that the challenged provisions are constitutional. Instead, it focuses on the legal analysis required before legislation can be declared invalid. At the centre of the case was whether mental health should independently qualify as a ground for lawful termination of pregnancy, particularly for women and girls facing severe psychiatric conditions or pregnancies arising from sexual conduct criminalised under the Mental Health Act. Writing the judgment, Justice Bharat Patel said a law’s limitation of a constitutional right did not automatically make it unconstitutional. “A finding that the impugned legislation limits a constitutional right does not, without more, render that legislation unconstitutional,” he said. The judge emphasised that courts must assess whether a limitation satisfies section 86(2) of the Constitution, which sets out the conditions under which fundamental rights may be restricted. Mental health at the centre of challenge The application was brought by the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) and legislator and human rights activist Nyasha Batitsa against the Ministers of Health and Child Care, and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Attorney-General and Parliament. The applicants challenged section 4(a) of the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which regulates termination where continuation of a pregnancy endangers a woman’s life or threatens permanent impairment of her physical health. They argued that excluding mental health as an express ground for lawful termination discriminated against women experiencing serious psychiatric conditions. Their position was that health encompasses both physical and mental well-being, and that compelling some women to continue pregnancies could expose them to severe psychological harm, including suicide risk and lasting mental health consequences. The applicants also challenged the Act’s definition of “unlawful intercourse”, arguing that it did not adequately cover pregnancies arising from conduct criminalised under section 106 of the Mental Health Act. They maintained that the exclusion left some women and girls with mental disabilities without adequate access to lawful termination despite legal protections against sexual exploitation. Represented by lawyer Tendai Biti, the applicants relied on medical evidence, research and constitutional protections relating to life, dignity, equality and healthcare. Government and opposing groups contest application The Health Minister argued that the existing law’s provisions concerning threats to life and serious impairment of physical health were broad enough to accommodate relevant medical circumstances. The minister also cautioned against treating all mental health conditions alike, arguing that they vary in severity. The Justice Minister challenged the applicants’ standing and argued that any changes to the law should be pursued through Parliament. The State also maintained that the challenged provisions remained constitutional. Parliament did not oppose the application, leaving the matter to the court. The Catholic Lawyers Association of Zimbabwe, appearing as amicus curiae or friend of the court, argued that section 48 of the Constitution protects unborn life and that the applicants had not established the level of mental health impairment that would justify termination. Pro-Life Universitas also argued that expanding the grounds for lawful abortion was primarily a legislative responsibility and that courts should not effectively create a new statutory ground. Court demands full constitutional test Justice Patel said Parliament’s decisions were not beyond constitutional scrutiny simply because legislators had considered an issue and declined to amend the law. “The conduct and decisions of Parliament, like any other exercise of public power, are subject to constitutional review by this Court,” he held. However, he distinguished the court’s general authority to review public power from whether the High Court had properly exercised its role in the proceedings before it. The Constitutional Court found that the lower court had not fully interpreted the relevant constitutional rights before determining that they had been infringed. It also failed to apply the section 86(2) test separately to establish whether the restrictions were fair, reasonable, necessary and justifiable in an open, just and democratic society. The court consequently refused to confirm the declarations of invalidity and set aside the High Court judgment, making no order as to costs. For the applicants and women and girls whose circumstances informed the challenge, the outcome represents a setback in the case. The central question of how Zimbabwe’s abortion law should account for serious mental health conditions remains unresolved by this ruling. The judgment highlights the constitutional balance between the protection of unborn life and the rights to dignity, equality, life and healthcare, while underscoring the legal standards courts must apply when reviewing legislation. Zimbabwe Constitutional Court abortion ruling

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare ZVISHAVANE – Police in Zvishavane have banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in the district for three months, from October 31, 2026, to January 31, 2027, citing a rise in violent crime. Officer Commanding Zvishavane Police District, Chief Superintendent Enock Chishiri, announced the prohibition in a statement dated October 7, 2026. The ban covers machetes, knobkerries, swords, knives, spears, daggers, catapults and other offensive or traditional weapons. Chishiri said the order was issued in terms of Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23] (MOPA). Anyone found violating the prohibition faces a fine not exceeding level five, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, according to the order. “The prohibition is intended to curb the sharp increase in assaults, robberies, murder cases and other violent crimes in the district,” the statement said. The order cites Section 4(2) of MOPA, warning that anyone who fails to comply with a prohibition made under the relevant provisions of the law will be guilty of an offence. The restriction applies across the Zvishavane Police District, which covers a broad area spanning several traditional leadership jurisdictions and surrounding communities. According to the boundaries outlined in the statement, the district extends from the Musavezi River in the north-east, through areas including Pakame and Guruguru Mountain, and covers Chief Masunda’s area up to Finale Extension. Its eastern boundary follows the Runde River towards Gundekunde, while the south-eastern areas include those under Chiefs Mazvihwa, Ngungumbane and Nyamhondo. The district also covers areas under Chiefs Mketi, Mahlebadza and Bankwe to the south, as well as Chief Mtevaidze’s area, which borders Insiza District along the Dolo Range. To the west, the boundaries include Chief Bvute’s area near Kroomdraai, while the north-western section covers areas under Chiefs Mafala, Wedza and Mapanzure before returning to the Musavezi River. The prohibition is due to take effect on October 31 and remain in force until January 31, 2027. Residents and travellers within the district are therefore urged to familiarise themselves with the order and its restrictions to avoid potential arrest and prosecution. Zvishavane police have banned carrying machetes, knives, swords and other dangerous weapons from October 31, 2026, to January 31, 2027, amid rising violent crime. Zvishavane dangerous weapons ban

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Media watchdog MISA Zimbabwe has criticised the exclusion of freelance journalist Nunurai Jena from the 23rd ZANU PF Annual People’s Conference at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), raising concerns over press freedom and journalists’ access to political events. In a statement, MISA Zimbabwe said denying journalists access to the ruling party’s conference undermines their ability to inform the public, particularly when decisions made by political parties have wider implications for society. The organisation said Jena was barred from entering the venue on Friday despite holding a press card issued by ZANU PF. According to MISA, Jena arrived at Gate No. 1 and presented his accreditation card for digital scanning. However, security officials reportedly told him the card was registered as “unfounded” in their system. He was directed to a second gate to have the card scanned again, but the result remained unchanged. MISA said security personnel then accused Jena of forging his credentials and questioned where he had “manufactured” the card. Jena reportedly explained that he had received the press card officially at ZANU PF headquarters in Harare the previous week. The journalist was questioned for approximately 45 minutes, during which officers recorded his personal details on an official form. According to the account, security personnel also told Jena that he “should know why” he was unwelcome at ZANU PF activities. When Jena questioned why he had been accredited if he was not permitted to attend the conference, officers reportedly said the card had been “issued in error”. They said they were “rectifying the situation” by confiscating the card and removing him from the event. Jena was subsequently escorted to the main gate and ordered to leave immediately. He was also warned against returning, with security personnel reportedly threatening “worst consequences” if he failed to comply. MISA Zimbabwe said the incident raised concerns about the treatment of journalists and the procedures used to grant and verify media accreditation at political gatherings. The organisation maintains that journalists must be able to carry out their professional duties without unjustified restrictions, particularly when covering events involving political parties and decisions of public interest. The circumstances surrounding the alleged accreditation error, including why a card issued at ZANU PF headquarters was rejected at the conference venue, were not explained in the account provided. The incident also raises questions about communication between party officials responsible for issuing accreditation and security personnel tasked with controlling access to the conference. MISA Zimbabwe’s criticism comes amid broader concerns about the conditions under which journalists cover political events in Zimbabwe. Access to such gatherings allows reporters to document proceedings, question participants, and relay information to citizens who cannot attend in person. The account provided did not include a response from ZANU PF or the security officials involved in the incident. MISA Zimbabwe journalist exclusion