The Government is considering introducing a land verification system that would allow prospective property buyers to establish the legal status of land before paying for residential stands or building homes. The proposed system is part of wider reforms to Zimbabwe’s land ownership laws and is intended to curb illegal land sales, protect homebuyers and address gaps that have allowed land barons and other unauthorised dealers to operate. Speaking at a Land Tenure High-Level Stakeholder Breakfast Meeting in Harare last week, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the reforms would shift the focus from dealing with illegal developments after construction to preventing irregular transactions at the point of sale. Under the proposed system, buyers would be able to verify whether land has a legitimate owner, whether it has been properly surveyed and planned, and whether it can legally be transferred before committing their money. “Anyone who is procuring land, whether through a local authority or through the private sector, is doing so with land that he can verify that this is purchasable land, it has got legitimate title deeds, it was properly surveyed, properly planned,” Garwe said. The minister said some people caught up in land disputes should not automatically be regarded as illegal occupants because they may have genuinely paid for their stands but dealt with individuals who had no legal authority to sell the land. “Government is not desirous of demolishing people’s homes and government hasn’t demolished any homes,” Garwe said. He said many affected homeowners had invested heavily in construction and, in the process, created employment for builders and other workers. “We are saying these people have invested so much in building these houses and, in the process, they have created employment for the people that assisted them in building those houses,” he said. The proposed verification mechanism is expected to address one of the major risks facing property buyers: paying for land before establishing whether the seller has the legal right to dispose of it. The Government is yet to announce the detailed operation of the proposed system, including which institutions will conduct the checks, what documents buyers will require and whether a centralised database will eventually allow members of the public to verify land records electronically. Garwe said the Land Tenure Committee, working with various Government ministries, would contribute to creating a system that enables citizens to establish the legal status of land before purchasing it. The reforms are also expected to address informal land transactions in communal areas, including so-called “sabhuku” deals, as well as illegal urban land sales. Garwe warned members of the public against buying land from village heads, headmen or other individuals without first establishing whether they have the legal authority to sell or allocate the land. He specifically warned village-level land dealers that unauthorised sales could result in criminal penalties. “Please go and tell the village heads and warn that sabhuku deals are attracting penalties and that the penalty is imprisonment. The law does not allow masabhuku to sell land,” he said. The proposed reforms could give property buyers greater protection by placing verification ahead of payment and construction. However, the effectiveness of the system will depend on the accessibility and reliability of land records, clear institutional responsibilities and the ability of buyers to obtain verification before entering into transactions. The Government is expected to provide further details on the proposed mechanism as the land tenure reforms progress. land verification system Zimbabwe

Six suspected gold thieves are on the run after their getaway vehicle crashed and caught fire during a high-speed pursuit in Mberengwa, with police recovering gold-bearing carbon worth an estimated US$16,500 from the wreckage. The incident occurred around 1 am on Sunday following an alleged break-in at Draw Mark 19 Mine. Police said 150 kilogrammes of gold-bearing carbon were recovered from the burnt-out vehicle after the suspects abandoned it and fled into nearby bushes. According to Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the suspects allegedly targeted underground carbon tanks at the mine before escaping in a white Honda Fit. Their movements were discovered after a mine security guard noticed footprints leading away from the mining area. The trail reportedly led to the Honda Fit, which had been parked about 100 metres from the mine. The security guard, together with a mine driver, then pursued the vehicle in a Honda Shuttle. The chase continued towards the junction of Old Bulawayo Road and Mimosa Road, where the two vehicles collided. The impact severely damaged the Honda Fit, which subsequently caught fire. “The six occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled into the nearby bushes,” Mahoko said. The suspects managed to escape before police arrived at the scene. Officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police's Zvishavane Traffic Section and the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit later attended the crash scene and searched the wrecked vehicle. They recovered the 150kg of gold-bearing carbon, which police valued at approximately US$16,500. Mahoko said the recovery meant that none of the allegedly stolen material was lost despite the suspects escaping. Police have launched investigations to identify the six suspects and establish their whereabouts. Authorities are also expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged break-in and determine how the suspects gained access to the mine's underground carbon tanks. Police appealed to members of the public who may have information about the suspects or the incident to report it to the nearest police station. “We appeal to members of the public with information that could assist police in identifying and apprehending the suspects to report to their nearest police station. Investigations are ongoing,” Mahoko said. The incident highlights continuing security challenges facing Zimbabwe's gold sector, where valuable gold-bearing material can become a target for organised theft. Police have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the Mberengwa incident. Mberengwa gold theft Six suspected gold thieves escaped after their Honda Fit crashed and caught fire during a pursuit in Mberengwa. Police recovered 150kg of gold-bearing carbon.

By Southerton Business Times | Harare | September 2, 2026 The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) has congratulated businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei following his appointment to the Senate, describing his elevation to Parliament as an opportunity to put his business experience at the service of the nation. Tagwirei was among 10 new senators sworn into office on September 1, beginning his tenure in the Upper House amid expectations that his private-sector background could contribute to parliamentary discussions on economic development, entrepreneurship and job creation. In a message issued under the authority of ZCC leader His Grace Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi, the church praised Tagwirei's record in business and his involvement in community initiatives. The church said leadership should be measured not only by individual achievements but also by the opportunities created for others. “From the world of business to communities, you have demonstrated that true leadership is not measured only by what one achieves, but by the opportunities one creates,” the ZCC said. The church also offered prayers for Tagwirei as he takes on his new parliamentary responsibilities. It expressed hope that he would draw on his experience, vision and commitment to Zimbabwe in promoting economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and employment creation. “May God grant you wisdom, courage and discernment as you serve our nation,” the church said. Business Experience in Parliament Tagwirei's appointment brings a prominent businessman into Zimbabwe's legislative space at a time when economic growth, investment, entrepreneurship and employment remain major policy concerns. His experience in the private sector could provide an additional perspective in parliamentary discussions on the business environment, investment and economic development. The ZCC also highlighted Tagwirei's involvement in philanthropic and community initiatives, presenting these as part of his broader contribution to society. His appointment is expected to attract attention as he begins participating in Senate business and contributes to debates on legislation and national policy. However, his effectiveness in the new role will ultimately be assessed through his parliamentary contributions and the issues he chooses to champion during his tenure. The ZCC concluded its message by wishing the new senator success in his parliamentary responsibilities. “Congratulations once again, Senator. We wish you a distinguished and impactful tenure in the Senate,” the church said. Kudakwashe Tagwirei Senate appointment

ZIMRA is stepping up efforts to identify property owners earning rental income and enforce tax compliance. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Landlords earning rental income are coming under increased scrutiny from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), as the Government steps up efforts to ensure property owners pay tax on income generated from their properties. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said rental income is taxable in Zimbabwe and warned property owners that ZIMRA is intensifying enforcement. In a post on X, Mangwana said properties generating rental income should contribute to the national fiscus. “Did you know? In Zimbabwe, as in many countries, a house that generates rental income is treated as a business,” Mangwana said. “It’s simple: if a property is raising money, it should contribute to the national coffers like any other income-generating venture.” Mangwana said the taxation of rental income was not a new Government policy, but rather an existing legal obligation whose enforcement is now being strengthened. “The Government, through ZIMRA, is now actively identifying property owners to ensure compliance,” he said. He said the tax authority had initially focused on affluent areas where rental income is likely to be higher. “To make this effort yield immediate fruits, they have started with affluent areas where rental incomes are higher. It’s a cost-benefit strategy: deploy resources where the returns make sense,” Mangwana said. The announcement means landlords who receive income from residential, commercial or other rental properties could face increased scrutiny of their tax affairs. Mangwana warned property owners earning rental income to expect enforcement action. “If you earn from property, expect ZIMRA to come calling. It’s time to pay your dues,” he said. The increased focus on rental income tax in Zimbabwe comes as authorities seek to broaden the tax base and improve compliance among individuals and businesses earning income outside traditional employment. For landlords, the development means keeping proper records of rental income and understanding their tax obligations will become increasingly important. Tax treatment can differ depending on whether the property is owned by an individual, company or other entity, as well as the nature of the income and applicable deductions. Property owners should therefore establish their specific obligations with ZIMRA or a qualified tax professional. The latest enforcement drive also reflects the growing use of data and targeted compliance measures by tax authorities to identify potential taxpayers. By concentrating resources in areas where rental activity and property values are higher, ZIMRA can potentially recover more unpaid tax while using fewer enforcement resources. The Government has not publicly disclosed the number of landlords currently under investigation or the amount of rental income tax it expects to recover through the latest exercise. However, Mangwana's warning signals a potentially tougher environment for landlords who have been receiving rental income without meeting their tax obligations. For Zimbabwean property owners, the message from Government is clear: rental income is taxable, and ZIMRA is stepping up efforts to enforce compliance. rental income tax Zimbabwe

Bhekani Mlilo has been released from remand after spending 10 months in custody without a trial date in the Ecobank Bulawayo robbery case. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Bulawayo A suspect in the multimillion-dollar Ecobank Bulawayo robbery has been released from remand after spending 10 months in custody without a trial date being set. Bhekani Mlilo, who was extradited from Botswana last year, was removed from remand on Friday after Bulawayo regional magistrate Lungile Ncube dismissed a State application seeking to keep him in custody. The State, represented by Rumbi Gwishiri, had applied for Mlilo’s further remand to September 28, but the application was rejected. Mlilo is facing an armed robbery charge arising from the October 2025 raid on Ecobank branches in Bulawayo. “The accused has been in remand prison for 10 months with no trial date being allocated,” Ncube said. “The accused cannot continue being on remand for the failed extradition of the other suspects. Further remand is refused.” The magistrate directed that the State proceed by summons once the remaining suspects have been extradited. “When other suspects have been extradited, the State will proceed by way of summons for commencement of a trial,” Ncube said. Mlilo was represented by Tawanda Tavengwa of Mvundla Tavengwa Solicitors. According to the State, Mlilo allegedly acted with several accomplices on October 3, 2025, including brothers Elijah and Abraham Vumbunu, Simon Xola Ngcobo, Menzeli Mpofu, Khalid Ntimen and others who remain at large. The State alleges that the Vumbunu brothers have since been arrested in South Africa and are awaiting extradition to Zimbabwe. Prosecutors told the court that the suspects allegedly used a white Ford Ranger with South African registration plates, which they replaced with Zimbabwean plates before driving to Ecobank at the corner of 9th Avenue and Fife Street. The gang allegedly intercepted a Safeguard cash-in-transit vehicle outside the bank. “They apprehended the guards and held them hostage, threatening to shoot them if they resisted,” Gwishiri told the court. The suspects allegedly took four metal cash boxes and three firearms from the security guards. Three of the boxes allegedly came from Ecobank’s 9th Avenue and Fife Street branch and contained US$3,983,500. The State further alleges that another cash box containing US$465,500 was taken from Ecobank’s Bradfield branch. The suspects allegedly loaded the money into the getaway vehicle before fleeing. The combined amount allegedly stolen from the two Ecobank branches was more than US$4.4 million. Mlilo is also facing a separate criminal case involving an alleged break-in at a Nedbank branch in Bulawayo. In that matter, he is accused of masterminding the theft of nearly US$300,000, more than R2.4 million, and five gold coins. The Nedbank trial has already begun, with two State witnesses having testified. Proceedings have since stalled after a key witness was not served with a subpoena to appear in court. Mlilo has not been convicted in either case and remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Ecobank Bulawayo heist

EUZ says poor school performance should be investigated beyond teacher performance. The Educators Union of Zimbabwe (EUZ) has rejected calls to dismiss underperforming teachers in Matabeleland South, arguing that poor learner outcomes cannot be blamed on teachers alone. The union's position follows comments by Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, who called for non-performing teachers to be dismissed and replaced by unemployed teachers returning from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks. Nguluvhe's remarks followed concerns over poor examination results in the province, including 11 schools that reportedly recorded a zero percent pass rate. However, EUZ president Tafadzwa Munodawafa said reducing the problem to teacher performance risked ignoring the wider challenges affecting the education system. “We caution against creating a narrative in which teachers become the scapegoats for poor educational outcomes,” Munodawafa said. He called for a comprehensive education audit covering Matabeleland South and the rest of the country to establish why some schools are consistently recording poor results. “A 0% pass rate in 11 schools should prompt a comprehensive provincial education audit to establish the underlying causes and identify schools that require urgent intervention,” he said. Munodawafa said the performance of schools should be assessed against the contribution of all stakeholders, including Government, education authorities, school leadership, teachers, parents and local communities. “Rather than simply asking teachers to leave Matabeleland South, we should be asking: why are these schools failing?” he said. “What support do these teachers and learners need? What interventions have already been implemented, and have they been effective?” The union's argument shifts the focus from individual teacher accountability to the broader conditions under which schools operate. Factors such as teacher shortages, availability of learning materials, infrastructure, school leadership, learner attendance, parental involvement and socio-economic conditions can all influence educational outcomes. Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director Beatrice Manjere also acknowledged that several factors need to be examined when assessing poor school performance. Manjere said teachers could not be held solely responsible for low pass rates, indicating that other issues affecting schools and learners also needed to be considered. The debate comes amid wider concerns about educational disparities between schools and provinces, with calls for authorities to identify poorly performing institutions and provide targeted support. While teacher performance remains an important part of school accountability, education stakeholders argue that disciplinary measures alone may not address systemic problems affecting learning outcomes. The EUZ is therefore calling for authorities to establish the specific challenges facing the 11 schools with zero pass rates before deciding on punitive measures. A comprehensive audit could examine staffing levels, teacher attendance and qualifications, school resources, leadership, learner numbers and attendance, parental involvement and the effectiveness of previous interventions. For the union, the objective should be to identify the causes of poor performance and provide schools with the resources and support needed to improve, rather than treating teachers as the sole cause of failure. The debate also raises a broader question for Zimbabwe's education system: whether poor examination results should primarily trigger disciplinary action against individual teachers or a wider investigation into the conditions affecting teaching and learning. Matabeleland South schools

ZACC allegedly recovered sugar, counterfeit packaging and repackaging equipment during a raid in Southlea Park. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare A 34-year-old Harare woman has appeared in court accused of running a counterfeit sugar operation in which genuine sugar was allegedly repackaged into fake 2kg Tongaat Hulett bags. Spiwe Mutandwa of Budiriro was arrested after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) allegedly raided a house in Southlea Park and recovered 3,600kg of sugar, counterfeit packaging and equipment believed to have been used to repackage the product. Mutandwa appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Monday facing fraud charges. She was granted US$200 bail. The National Prosecuting Authority said the investigation followed complaints received by ZACC that some sugar being sold in shops was allegedly underweight. According to the prosecution, ZACC received information on August 29 that Mutandwa was allegedly repackaging sugar at a Southlea Park property. Investigators reportedly conducted surveillance before raiding the premises later that day. “During the operation, a Toyota Dyna truck was found parked at the premises,” the prosecution said. “A search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in the recovery of a consignment of sugar packed in 2kg bags bearing the Tongaat Hulett brand.” Prosecutors allege the bags were counterfeit replicas of packaging ordinarily used by Tongaat Hulett for its sugar products. A subsequent search of the premises allegedly uncovered empty 2kg bags carrying Tongaat Hulett branding, together with equipment including sealing machines, three blowers and a weighing scale. The prosecution alleges the equipment was being used to repackage sugar into bags designed to resemble genuine Tongaat Hulett products. Mutandwa allegedly presented the repackaged sugar as authentic Tongaat Hulett sugar despite allegedly having no authority or consent from the company. The prosecution said the alleged operation was intended to mislead consumers about the product’s identity, origin, quantity and authenticity. The alleged counterfeit sugar scheme could also have caused financial prejudice to consumers and damaged the reputation and goodwill associated with the Tongaat Hulett brand, the court heard. The source of the sugar allegedly being repackaged was not disclosed in the court proceedings. The case highlights growing concerns over counterfeit and improperly packaged consumer goods in Zimbabwe, where consumers can face difficulties distinguishing genuine products from imitations. Counterfeit food products can pose both financial and public-health risks, particularly where packaging is used to conceal the product’s actual source, quality or quantity. Mutandwa is represented by lawyer Nicholas Chikono. She remains accused and has not been convicted. The prosecution will have to prove the fraud allegations beyond reasonable doubt if the matter proceeds to trial. fake Tongaat sugar

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube says falling inflation could create conditions for cheaper loans and longer-term financing in Zimbabwe. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Zimbabwe could see cheaper loans and longer repayment periods as the Government moves to capitalise on improving inflation and develop a 15-year yield curve, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has said. Ncube said the sharp decline in inflation was creating conditions for interest rates to fall sustainably, potentially making long-term borrowing more affordable for businesses, farmers and households. “It means now our interest rates can come down sustainably,” Ncube told The Herald. “We can reduce the cost of capital over time going forward and increase lending to the private sector, to citizens and just in promoting investment in general.” The Government is working on a yield curve extending to 15 years. The benchmark would help banks, investors and businesses determine the appropriate cost of borrowing and investing over different periods. A yield curve essentially maps interest rates across different maturities. A reliable long-term curve can help lenders price loans for projects that may take many years to generate returns. Ncube said he had instructed officials in the Ministry’s Public Debt Department to accelerate the process. “I was just speaking to our staff from the Debt Department to say we must speed up the development of this yield curve that goes into 15 years going forward,” he said. The move comes as Zimbabwe’s inflation environment improves significantly after years of currency instability and rapid price increases. Ncube said inflation had fallen to 2.9 percent, creating greater predictability for financial institutions when pricing long-term loans. However, official ZIMSTAT figures show weighted year-on-year inflation at 3.2 percent in July, while the latest August data puts monthly inflation at 0.25 percent. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has also maintained a tighter monetary policy stance while gradually reducing interest rates. Its published data shows commercial lending rates remained in the 40-percent-plus range in early 2026, illustrating the substantial gap between inflation and the cost of borrowing. Ncube said lower and more predictable inflation would reduce the risks banks face when extending credit over longer periods. “It also means that now companies can borrow long-term. Because once inflation is low and predictable going forward, you can borrow long-term,” he said. For businesses, cheaper long-term financing could support investment in factories, machinery, mining, agriculture, irrigation, housing and other capital-intensive projects. Unlike short-term loans, which require frequent refinancing, long-term credit allows companies to spread repayment costs over the productive life of an investment. The Government hopes improved access to finance will increase private-sector investment and economic activity. Ncube also linked the financing push to Zimbabwe’s efforts to improve its investment profile following the World Bank’s decision to remove the country from its fragile classifications. He said the change could strengthen investor perceptions of Zimbabwe and support increased investment into the country’s capital markets. “We are attracting very good investment going forward, both foreign direct investment as well as investment into our capital market — Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, Victoria Falls Stock Exchange,” Ncube said. The success of the strategy, however, will depend on whether lower inflation translates into significantly cheaper credit for ordinary borrowers and productive businesses. For Zimbabwean companies currently facing borrowing costs in excess of 40 percent, the development of a credible 15-year yield curve could become an important step towards unlocking affordable long-term financing. Zimbabwe cheaper loans

Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing. A Las Vegas jury has found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder for orchestrating the 1996 killing of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, bringing the first conviction in one of music’s most enduring murder mysteries. Davis, 63, was convicted on Monday after jurors deliberated for less than three hours following an 11-day trial. He faces a possible life sentence without parole, with sentencing scheduled for October 13. The verdict marks a dramatic development in the nearly 30-year-old Tupac Shakur murder case, which has remained unsolved since the rapper was shot in Las Vegas in September 1996. Shakur was riding in a BMW with Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight when a white Cadillac pulled alongside them at a red light, and gunfire erupted. Shakur was struck multiple times and died six days later at the age of 25. Knight was wounded but survived. Prosecutors argued that Davis organised the attack as retaliation after Shakur and members of his entourage assaulted Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, earlier that night. Davis was not accused of pulling the trigger. Prosecutors instead argued that he supplied the firearm and directed the attack. Under Nevada law, a person who helps facilitate a murder can be held criminally responsible for the killing. Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal told jurors that Davis and the other men in the Cadillac searched for Shakur before spotting his vehicle. “It’s a plan, not an impulse,” Palal said during closing arguments, arguing that the shooting was premeditated. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on Davis’ own statements over the years, including interviews, recorded conversations and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend. Davis had repeatedly acknowledged being inside the white Cadillac and said he handed the gun used in the shooting to people in the back seat. However, he did not identify the person who prosecutors say fired the fatal shots. The defence argued that Davis’ accounts were unreliable and had been exaggerated for publicity and financial gain. His lawyer, Michael Sanft, also highlighted the absence of physical evidence directly connecting Davis to the shooting. A former Las Vegas homicide detective testified during the trial that investigators had been unable to independently corroborate some of Davis’ statements. However, prosecutors argued that the consistency of the central elements of Davis’ accounts outweighed changes in peripheral details. “The core facts remain. The material facts remain,” Palal told jurors. The prosecution called 24 witnesses, while the defence presented three. The case was complicated by the passage of almost three decades, with investigators acknowledging that evidence collected in the 1990s, including surveillance footage, was far more limited than what would typically be available today. Following the verdict, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, cried and embraced prosecutors in the courtroom. Davis plans to appeal the conviction, according to Reuters. The actual shooter has never been identified, while the other men prosecutors say were involved in the attack have since died. For Shakur’s family and millions of fans worldwide, the conviction represents a major development in the long-running quest for answers surrounding the death of one of hip-hop’s most influential artists. Tupac murder verdict Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been found guilty of first-degree murder for orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing after a Las Vegas jury deliberated for less than three hours.

Emmanuel Bonda mourns wife and three children killed in Chivhu accident A Dema man is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife and three children in Zimbabwe’s Chivhu road accident that claimed 27 lives on Friday night. Emmanuel Bonda’s family was among members of the African Apostolic Church, popularly known as the Mwazha Church, who were travelling from Dema to Ndarikure in Mvuma for a church conference when their Nissan Caravan NV350 kombi collided head-on with a Volvo haulage truck. The fatal Chivhu accident occurred at about 8.30 pm at the 132-kilometre peg along the Harare-Masvingo Road, near Makumimavi Primary School. Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the foreign-registered haulage truck was allegedly attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the kombi. Seven people were injured in the crash. For Bonda, the tragedy began with a missed phone call. He said his wife had told him that the kombi was overloaded before leaving Dema with their children. “She packed her clothes and those of the kids around 12, and by 2pm they were already in the kombi. One thing that she was complaining about was that the kombi was overloaded,” Bonda said. He later tried calling her repeatedly, but her phone went unanswered. “When I got home, I received calls from other church members who were already at the conference informing me of the accident,” he said. Bonda travelled to the accident scene with assistance from his workmates, but was initially told that the victims had been taken to hospital. The following day, he went to identify his family. “The first person I identified was my son, then others. I am so hurt. Losing my entire family, just like that, is unbearable,” he said. Another bereaved husband, Tawanda Mushonga, said he also became concerned after his wife failed to answer his calls. Mushonga, a professional driver, said he later travelled to the crash scene after learning about the accident from colleagues. “The driver of that kombi was trapped on the front seat, and the kombi was on fire. It was horrible,” he said. “I saw my wife, lifeless. She was there, injured, and my heart broke. It is painful to lose someone you love dearly.” The collision caused the kombi to catch fire, trapping several passengers inside. Twenty-seven people died, with some victims suffering burns so severe that forensic identification was required. The tragedy has prompted renewed concern over road safety in Zimbabwe, particularly dangerous overtaking and overloaded public transport vehicles. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the Chivhu crash a State of Disaster, allowing the Government to mobilise assistance for bereaved families and survivors. Government has pledged to meet burial-related expenses for the victims and medical costs for the seven people injured in the accident. For families such as the Bondas and Mushongas, however, the Government assistance cannot erase the devastating loss left by one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest road accidents in recent years. Chivhu accident

Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has criticised Zimbabwe’s removal from the World Bank’s fragile classifications. By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has challenged the World Bank’s decision to remove Zimbabwe from its fragile and conflict-affected classifications, arguing that the move does not reflect the country’s political, economic and social realities. The World Bank’s new classification framework took effect on July 1, 2026, replacing the previous single Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCS) list with two separate classifications — the Public Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) List and the Institutional Fragility List. Zimbabwe does not appear on either list under the new framework. The Institutional Fragility List covers eligible countries with an unrounded Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) score below 3.0, while the Public FCV List focuses on countries where organised political violence affects at least 20% of the population. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube welcomed Zimbabwe’s removal, describing it as recognition of improving institutional resilience, economic reforms and macroeconomic stability. Ncube said the development could strengthen Zimbabwe’s international standing, investor confidence and efforts to achieve the government’s Vision 2030 target of becoming an upper-middle-income economy. But Biti has taken a sharply different view. Writing on X, the former finance minister accused authorities of promoting an economic narrative that he said was unsupported by reality. “Decisions made adhocratically, anecdotally and without empirical data are dangerous and political,” Biti wrote. He alleged that economic statistics, particularly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Income (GNI), were being manipulated to support Zimbabwe’s ambition of achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030. Biti claimed that “phantom data is being cooked” and argued that Zimbabwe remained a poor and fragile country despite the World Bank’s revised classification. He also pointed to poverty, unemployment, informality, political polarisation and the migration of skilled Zimbabweans as evidence of continuing structural weaknesses. Biti claimed that more than six million Zimbabweans live in the diaspora and that 74% of the country’s most qualified human resources are outside Zimbabwe. The six-million diaspora figure has also been cited previously by researchers examining Zimbabwe’s migration and governance challenges. However, available World Bank data does not support simply equating the new classification with an end to poverty or economic hardship. The Bank’s latest Zimbabwe data shows a poverty headcount of 49.2% at the $3-a-day poverty line based on 2019 data, while its April 2026 outlook said poverty declined slightly in 2025 as economic growth recovered. The disagreement therefore centres on what the World Bank’s Zimbabwe reclassification actually means. The Bank itself says its new framework separates institutional fragility from conflict and political violence. Being removed from the classifications is therefore not equivalent to declaring Zimbabwe free of poverty, political problems or developmental challenges. For the government, the decision represents progress in economic and institutional reform. For Biti, however, the classification fails to capture what he describes as Zimbabwe’s deeper governance and socioeconomic crisis. His intervention is likely to fuel an increasingly important debate over whether Zimbabwe’s improving macroeconomic indicators are translating into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. Zimbabwe World Bank reclassification

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart says councillors facing corruption-related charges should be suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings. Bulawayo mayor David Coltart has called for councillors facing charges of dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office linked to their official duties to be automatically suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings. Coltart made the call following the arrest of four sitting councillors and a former councillor over allegations that they solicited a US$52,000 bribe from a local businessman. Deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu, ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, ward 15 councillor Ashton Mhlanga and ward 3 councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu were arrested alongside former councillor Rodney Jele by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). The councillors deny the allegations and are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Coltart said he could not comment on the specific charges because the matter was before the courts, but warned that the arrests had intensified concerns over integrity and public confidence in the 38-member Bulawayo City Council. “It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific allegations,” Coltart said, stressing the importance of the presumption of innocence. However, he said the latest arrests came against a backdrop of other corruption-related cases involving councillors. Ward 26 councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who chairs the finance committee, has been convicted of a criminal offence relating to bribery and is awaiting the outcome of an appeal in the High Court. Ward 1 councillor Josiah Mutangi was convicted of collecting unjustified payments from street vendors and was subsequently removed from office by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe. Coltart said six councillors were now either facing criminal charges or had been convicted of offences, describing the situation as one that “deeply undermines public confidence in the council”. The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has called for the city to take steps independently of the criminal prosecution process. Among its recommendations is that the council launch internal disciplinary proceedings against councillors facing allegations of misconduct. Coltart, however, said the council does not have the legal authority to suspend councillors. Under Zimbabwe’s local government framework, the power to suspend a councillor rests with the responsible minister, who may act where there are reasonable grounds to suspect misconduct and may order an investigation. “My own view is that councillors charged with offences involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office directly related to their office as councillors should automatically be suspended pending either their acquittal or the outcome of the internal investigation and decision of the Tribunal,” Coltart said. He stressed that the decision was ultimately outside his powers. The mayor also proposed that suspended councillors’ positions be filled in an acting capacity by other councillors to ensure council business continues without disruption. Meanwhile, Coltart said he supported calls for councillors and senior council employees to declare their assets as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and combat corruption in Bulawayo. He said he attempted to implement an asset declaration policy shortly after taking office but encountered resistance. According to Coltart, the council’s human resources director informed him on July 7 that the process had stalled. He said he had since undertaken to expedite its implementation. Coltart said the policy should cover both elected councillors and council employees. “Unless we deal with the scourge of corruption in Bulawayo, and indeed throughout Zimbabwe, we will not realise the tremendous potential of our city and nation,” he said. Bulawayo councillors corruption charges