By Valerie Mpundu On 24 September 2026 the Andrew Makahamadze Foundation will officially launch the Gunyana Prestigious Awards, an annual national platform created to honour Zimbabweans who lead with empathy, justice, and service. The launch coincides with Hon. Andrew Makahamadze’s birthday, and it marks the beginning of a movement that seeks to celebrate character before titles, and impact before applause. Speaking ahead of the launch, Hon. Makahamadze said the foundation and the awards are a reflection of who he is. "I am Andrew Makahamadze. Proudly. It’s not a bragging if you can back it up. My name means a real man, and I am proud of the weight it carries,” he said. "I am proud of my totem, the Eagle. An eagle does not run from storms. It charges toward them and soars higher. I am not afraid of challenges because that is what builds me.” As a Libra, Hon. Makahamadze says he is wired to stand for balance and fairness. "A Libra represents the judge. I believe in fairness. I am anti-bullying. I don’t like people who look down on others or use power to suppress them. Even back in school, I stood up for what was right,” he said. That same spirit is what birthed AMF. The foundation will focus on programs that support the less privileged, disability empowerment in Zimbabwe, and community initiatives that restore dignity. WHAT THE AWARDS WILL HONOUR The Gunyana Prestigious Awards will recognize Zimbabweans from all walks of life who demonstrate empathy and kindness toward the vulnerable, ethical conduct in business and community service, leadership that uplifts rather than suppresses, and dedicated service to people living with disabilities and the less privileged. “I want to sow back into individuals who portray love and kindness. This is not a once-off. This will be an annual Zimbabwe community awards ceremony spelling out the traits, standards and ethics that should define us as a people,” Hon. Makahamadze said. In his capacity as brand ambassador for the Ethics Institute of Zimbabwe, ethical conduct will also be a key pillar of the awards. It symbolizes new beginnings, harvest and giving back. The awards will be held annually in September as a reminder that true leadership is measured by how we treat the least among us. “Let’s work. Let’s build. Let’s honour those who are building Zimbabwe with heart,” Hon. Makahamadze concluded. Gunyana Prestigious Awards

By Valerie Mpundu At the just-ended Harare Agricultural Show, the National Museums & Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), together with the Andrew Makahamadze Foundation and Southerton Constituency Community Development Trust, brought Agriculture, Technology & Commerce face to face with Culture and Heritage. Speaking at the stand, NMMZ Curator Mr. Mangwiro said the exhibition focused on Agrarian Archeo: tracing how our people preserved, grew and survived through the ages. “Our core business is to preserve and conserve NMMZ cultural heritage. We are only custodians. The heritage belongs to the people. That is why we work hand in hand with communities,” Mr. Mangwiro said. Our Sub-Theme: Preserving Cultural Heritage, Serving Communities, Sustaining Livelihoods. The Harare Agricultural Show heritage exhibition stand brought that to life. Clay pots for storing grain. Winnowing baskets. Pestles. The dura—the traditional grain bin that fed generations. Next to them, the wisdom of Pfumvudza climate-smart agriculture. “Our forefathers planted in terraces, using only hoes. No machinery. Just knowledge of the land,” Mr. Mangwiro explained. “Today as Zimbabwe encourages citizens to grow through Pfumvudza, we see the old ways were not backward. They were wise. They were climate-smart. They were ours.” Technology has advanced. But our agricultural practices have not been abandoned. They have evolved. This work is being done in collaboration with the Southerton Constituency Community Development Trust. “You cannot run away from your heritage. Agriculture is part of our heritage,” Mr. Mangwiro said. “Southerton is empowering communities while preserving heritage, especially through the Mbizi Cultural Hub Highfield.” Mbizi was once a detention site, a place of pain. Today it is being transformed into a place of healing, a symbol of preservation where culture lives and livelihoods grow. From the past we learn. In the present we serve. For the future we grow. Harare Agricultural Show Heritage Exhibition

By Southerton Business Times Reporter BULAWAYO – Hezy Motors Logistics director Hezel Silibaziso Mafu has appeared before a Bulawayo court facing 14 counts of fraud after allegedly defrauding clients of US$696,652 and ZiG1,313,670.16 in a botched vehicle import scheme. Mafu pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Lungile Ncube on Thursday. She was granted US$500 bail and ordered not to interfere with State witnesses. Mafu was also ordered to reside at the address she provided to the court and report to the Commercial Crimes Division in the Northern Region every Friday. The matter was postponed to September 7 for the commencement of trial. Mafu is represented by Editor Mavuto of Maphosa and Ndomene Legal Practitioners. State outlines alleged vehicle import scheme Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that Hezy Motors Logistics, based at the corner of Fife Street and 11th Avenue in Bulawayo, allegedly misrepresented to 14 clients that it could procure, import and deliver vehicles from Japan. According to the State, clients were required to pay a 50 percent deposit, with the balance payable upon delivery of the vehicle. The prosecution alleges that the company failed to deliver the vehicles after receiving payments from the complainants. In one of the cases, the court heard that the first complainant paid US$3,940 to Hezy Motors Logistics for the purchase of a vehicle. The State alleges that the vehicle was never purchased and that the complainant later reported the matter to the police after attempts to contact Mafu proved unsuccessful. In another alleged incident in May 2026, a complainant seeking to purchase a Toyota Vitz valued at US$6,500 reportedly paid US$4,634 and ZiG37,791.81 towards the transaction. The State alleges that the vehicle was never purchased and that Mafu subsequently became unreachable. In a separate case, another complainant allegedly paid US$3,000 as a first instalment towards a US$9,000 vehicle before making a further payment of US$3,450. According to the prosecution, attempts to contact the accused later proved unsuccessful. Toyota Aqua buyer allegedly loses US$3,800 The court also heard that a woman seeking to purchase a Toyota Aqua allegedly paid US$3,800 after being informed that Hezy Motors Logistics imported vehicles from Japan. She was reportedly told to return after two weeks, but when she went back to the company's premises, she allegedly failed to locate the accused. The matter was subsequently reported to the Commercial Crimes Division in Bulawayo Southern Region, leading to an investigation and Mafu's arrest. Separate fraud allegations in Harare Meanwhile, Mafu is also facing 79 counts of fraud in Harare, where she is accused of allegedly duping several people seeking to purchase imported vehicles. High Court judge Justice Custom Kachambwa previously granted her US$500 bail, subject to conditions that include reporting every Friday to the Commercial Crimes Division in Harare's Northern Region. The State alleges that she defrauded scores of clients of more than US$624,000 and ZiG1,275,878.35 through an alleged bogus vehicle import scheme. Her Harare trial is scheduled to begin on September 2. Mafu is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Hezy Motors vehicle import fraud

Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika is facing money-laundering charges and a separate allegation involving an identity document. By Southerton Business Times Reporter HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law, Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, has told a Harare court that an identity document allegedly linked to her and bearing the name Gertrude Badza could have been generated using artificial intelligence. Tafirenyika will spend the weekend in custody after her lawyers completed submissions in her application for bail. Magistrate Francis Mapfumo is expected to deliver a ruling on September 1. Tafirenyika appeared before the court on Thursday represented by lawyers Admire Rubaya, Everson Chatambudza, Malvern Mapako and Kangai. The identity document has resulted in a separate charge against her under the Civil Registry Act. State Opposes Bail The State opposed Tafirenyika's application for bail, with investigating officer Detective Assistant Inspector Gift Machipisa describing her as a potential flight risk because of her alleged assets outside Zimbabwe. Machipisa told the court that Tafirenyika allegedly owns more than 13 properties outside the country, mainly in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. He said authorities were engaging Interpol as part of efforts to trace and recover the assets. The investigating officer argued that Tafirenyika could flee Zimbabwe, particularly if she believed that properties allegedly linked to her within the country were at risk of being forfeited to the State. Tafirenyika Denies Allegations Tafirenyika is facing money-laundering allegations involving properties valued at more than US$9 million, which the State alleges were acquired using proceeds from unlawful drug dealings. She denies the allegations. In her bail application, Tafirenyika maintained that the properties identified by investigators were gifts from her husband, Collins Takunda Mnangagwa. She told the court that her husband's business interests gave him the financial capacity to provide her with the properties and other assets. Tafirenyika also claimed that her arrest was being driven by detractors of the First Family and was not connected to the drug-related allegations against her. Re-Arrested After Release on Bail Tafirenyika was re-arrested last Thursday on money-laundering charges shortly after being released from remand prison on US$1,000 bail in connection with separate drug-related allegations. The court is expected to determine her bail application on September 1. Tafirenyika is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Kelsea Tafirenyika fake ID AI claim

BEITBRIDGE – A 30-year-old Beitbridge man has appeared in court facing assault charges after allegedly attacking his wife during a domestic dispute over her association with unmarried women. Stanford Jacobs of New Medium Density in Beitbridge appeared before magistrate Gillian Padzakashamba on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to assault and was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The court heard that Jacobs had allegedly been denying his wife, Panashe Tagwirei, 24, conjugal relations because he disapproved of her friendship with single women and single mothers, whom he believed were a negative influence. According to the State, represented by prosecutor Reason Mutimba, the couple was at their home on August 24, 2026, at around 7pm when the dispute occurred. Jacobs allegedly refused to be served supper by Tagwirei and told her to serve “the people she was supposed to serve”. The court heard that Jacobs expressed dissatisfaction with his wife's association with unmarried women and single mothers. Tagwirei reportedly asked him whether this was the reason he had been denying her conjugal rights and suggested that they separate peacefully if he no longer loved her. An argument allegedly followed, during which Jacobs assaulted her. The State alleges that he slapped Tagwirei several times on the face before grabbing her by the collar and dragging her. He allegedly tore her blouse and removed her trousers, leaving her wearing tights and a bra. A passerby intervened and stopped the assault, the court heard. Jacobs pleaded guilty to the assault charge and was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The matter is expected to return to court for sentencing. Beitbridge man assaults wife

Mpundu Valerie Southerton is not short of water. It’s short of pipes that work. Every week, at least 2 burst pipes turn roads into rivers. Drive 500 meters and you’ll count 3 more. Fix one street today, the next one bursts tomorrow if not the next hour. This is not an occasional fault. This is daily. This is systemic. Residents have stopped complaining. They’ve adapted to flooding, to wasted water, to rusted infrastructure bleeding onto tar. But adaptation is not a solution. Authorities call it "aging infrastructure." Residents call it neglect. At this rate, Southerton isn’t a residential area. It’s a case study in water loss. Thousands of litres lost. Roads damaged. Bills unpaid. The streets are swimming. "Maybe Southerton is a mini Waterfalls" It’s a joke. But it’s also the truth. Until the pipes are replaced, not patched, the floods will continue....& so will the questions. Harare Water Infrastructure Failure

Illegal and unplanned settlements have become a major urban planning challenge in Epworth. EPWORTH – The Epworth Local Board has drawn up plans to relocate approximately 16,000 households currently settled on ecologically sensitive wetlands and other unplanned areas. Town secretary Wilton Mhanda said the local authority has begun an enumeration exercise targeting affected households as it awaits central government approval of its master plan, which is expected to create space for an orderly relocation programme. Speaking on the sidelines of a full council meeting held at the local authority's offices on Thursday, Mhanda said the board was also taking steps to prevent further illegal development on wetlands and unzoned land. “We have about plus or minus 16,000 households on wetlands or unplanned areas,” Mhanda said. “Currently, what we are doing is to discourage any further development on wetlands or on unplanned areas. “We have enumerated those people who have been settling on those wetlands for quite some time. “What we are looking forward to is the approval of our Master Plan so that we can create space to relocate them from wetlands or any other unplanned areas.” The proposed relocation comes amid growing concern over the environmental and public health risks associated with settlements on wetlands and unplanned land. Mhanda also warned prospective home-seekers against buying land from illegal developers, commonly known as land barons. He said such operators often prey on vulnerable residents through fraudulent and unauthorised land sales, leaving buyers at risk of losing their investments or facing displacement. The local authority is now pinning its hopes on the approval of its master plan to facilitate planned development and provide alternative areas for households currently living in unsuitable locations. The enumeration exercise is expected to help the Epworth Local Board establish the number of affected households and plan for their potential relocation once the necessary approvals are secured. Epworth households relocated from wetlands

I have said sorry more times than I can count for a body I did not choose. I say it to the conductor when I climb into a commuter omnibus and my legs will not move at his speed. I say it to the stranger on the pavement who watches my limp point one way while I go another, and decides I am drunk before he decides I am disabled. I say it in interview rooms, after I have answered every question correctly, and watched the panel's eyes drift toward the door, calculating how long it will take me to walk through it. Nobody asks me to apologise. I do it before they can ask. I am forty-six years old. For the first sixteen years of my life, the people around me never made me feel different. It is the thirty years since that taught me to say sorry first, so it feels like your idea before it becomes theirs. I have several degrees. I have applied for jobs that name people with disabilities in the advertisement, that quote the Disabled Persons Act. Silence comes back more often than a rejection letter does. The tests that fail me are not intelligence tests. I fail the ones nobody admits to giving: How fast can you cross this room? How do you look standing at the front of the office? I am not writing this for sympathy. Give a disabled man pity and you have discharged your obligation to him. You have not given him a job, a seat on the board, or a shortlist interview that isn't a formality. Real disability inclusion in Zimbabwe requires systemic change, not performative charity. I say this as a man who has been given a chance, and does not forget it. The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council gave me a chance. ZBC gave me a chance. Midlands State University gave me a chance. Great Zimbabwe University gave me a chance. Communities from Marondera to Mazowe trusted me with radio dreams that were theirs before they were mine. Those opportunities did not make me less disabled. They simply allowed my abilities to become more important than my disability. That is the difference opportunity makes. There are young people with disabilities right now watching how this country answers them. Some are finishing degrees. Some are standing at bus stops, working up the courage to board. Some are preparing for interviews knowing that, before they say a word, someone may already have decided what they cannot do. They do not need pity. They need equal opportunity, extended to them without a fight for it. They need employers to look beyond the limp. They need public transport that does not treat disability accessibility as an inconvenience. They need buildings designed for their presence, not modified reluctantly after they complain. They need institutions that understand that disability rights and inclusion are not charity. And perhaps most importantly, they need to stop learning the apology I learned. A disability is not an offence. I should not have to apologise because I walk differently. I should not have to apologise because I take longer to climb stairs. I should not have to apologise because the world was designed around bodies that move differently from mine. The burden should not always be on the disabled person to prove that they deserve to be included. Zimbabwe has laws, policies and institutions that speak the language of inclusion. But true inclusion in Zimbabwe cannot live in legislation alone. It has to be visible in the person hired, the building entered, the bus boarded, the meeting attended and the voice heard. We must stop congratulating ourselves for giving disabled people opportunities that should never have required exceptional courage to access in the first place. I have spent thirty years learning to say sorry. I think I have apologised enough. What I want now is a country where a child with a disability grows up knowing that their body may require accommodation, but their existence requires no apology. That is what I am asking Zimbabwe for. Not pity. Not sympathy. Not another promise. Will. Because sorry is not an accommodation. It is what we say when the accommodation never comes. Simbarashe Namusi is a media expert writing in his personal capacity. Disability Inclusion in Zimbabwe

MASVINGO – Contractors working on sections of the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway dualisation project have abandoned their sites, citing non-payment by the Government, a senior engineering consultant has said. The affected works include the construction of a bridge across the Mucheke River, an interchange near Masvingo Polytechnic and the tarring and expansion of sections of the highway. The developments were revealed by ProStruct Consulting Engineers representative Kudakwashe Dzimati during a tour of Government projects in Masvingo and Chivi districts on Thursday by senior officials. ProStruct Consulting Engineers is involved as a Government consultant on ongoing infrastructure development programmes. Dzimati said Masimba Construction, one of the major contractors involved in the project, had abandoned its site and sent workers home on July 2, 2026. He warned that unless completed and ongoing works were secured before the onset of the rainy season, the projects could suffer significant damage and delays. Among the projects identified as particularly vulnerable are Chimusana Bridge across the Mucheke River in Masvingo, an interchange near Masvingo Polytechnic and road construction works near Panyanda Lodge. “It is critical and our desire is that we protect these works before the rainy season. We had serious issues at Panyanda detour during the last rainy season,” Dzimati said. He said contractors had initially planned to complete their current assignments before the rainy season, but funding challenges had disrupted the programme. “The main challenge is funding, and that’s what is causing contractors to suspend works; otherwise, we were geared to complete works at Chimusana Bridge by December,” he said. The tour was attended by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira and National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Secretary Fananai Madambi. Madambi said he would raise the funding concerns with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. “It’s not a good story because when people talk of the Beitbridge-Harare Road, what we can talk of is the Harare-Chirundu Road because it’s supposed to be one project covering from Chirundu to Beitbridge,” Madambi said. “We will discuss with the relevant Ministry. We expect to be reading from the same page when we say Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.” The suspension of works threatens to delay progress on the strategic highway corridor, which forms part of the key road network linking Zimbabwe with regional markets. Authorities are now under pressure to secure funding and ensure that incomplete works are protected before heavy rains begin, following problems experienced at the Panyanda detour during the previous rainy season. Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway contractors

HARARE – Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe says the City of Harare is sitting on approximately 5,000 house demolition orders as the Government explores ways to regularise some illegal settlements. Speaking at the Land Tenure High-Level Stakeholder Breakfast Meeting, Garwe said the rapid growth of illegal settlements in Harare had become a major concern, warning that unplanned developments posed serious environmental and public health risks. He urged prospective home seekers to avoid purchasing land from illegal dealers, commonly referred to as masabhuku and land barons, and warned against construction on wetlands. “Let us not encourage people to build on wetlands, buy from Masabhuku or land barons,” Garwe said. “Let me emphasise that Government does not demolish houses and we cannot interfere with court processes. “Currently, the City of Harare is sitting on 5,000 demolition orders and in some cases we have tried to delay the process and provide solutions.” The minister's remarks come amid continuing concerns over the proliferation of informal and unplanned settlements around the capital, where thousands of residents have built homes without approved layouts or proper infrastructure. Government Looks at Regularisation Options Garwe indicated that authorities were considering solutions for some affected settlements, although court-issued demolition orders remain subject to legal processes. The Government has increasingly faced pressure to address the growing housing demand in Harare while also protecting wetlands and enforcing urban planning regulations. Illegal settlements have often emerged as prospective homeowners seek affordable residential land, creating opportunities for land barons and other unauthorised land dealers. Rural Development Seen as Part of the Solution Garwe said Zimbabwe's rapid urbanisation could partly be addressed by creating stronger economic opportunities in rural areas and growth points. He said secure and bankable land tenure was critical to unlocking investment and stimulating economic activity outside major urban centres. According to Garwe, substantial economic activity is already taking place in rural communities and growth points, but uncertainty surrounding land tenure is limiting further investment and expansion. Strengthening land tenure systems could help attract capital, support businesses and create employment opportunities closer to where people live, potentially easing migration pressure on Harare and other major cities. The minister said addressing the country's housing and land challenges required a broader approach that combined proper urban planning, secure land tenure and increased economic development beyond major cities. Suggested Tags:Harare | Daniel Garwe | Local Government | Housing | Demolitions | Land Tenure | Urban Development | Zimbabwe News

BULAWAYO – The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has condemned alleged corruption involving four serving Bulawayo City councillors and a former councillor, calling for immediate accountability and sweeping institutional reforms at City Hall. In a statement issued on August 26, 2026, the residents' association said it respected the ongoing court process but maintained that corruption in any form should not be tolerated. “Although the matter is still ongoing in the courts of law, BPRA categorically condemns all forms of corruption,” the association said. “The alleged involvement of the city’s highest public offices in bribery, extortion, and malpractice undermines public trust and desecrates the city’s foundational value of integrity.” BPRA said the City of Bulawayo had a responsibility to promote ethical leadership, transparency and accountability in order to rebuild public confidence among residents and the business community. The association said restoring integrity in local government was critical to Bulawayo's ambitions of reclaiming its position as Zimbabwe's industrial hub and developing into a smart city. Call for Internal Investigations BPRA called on the local authority to launch its own internal investigations into the allegations and follow procedures provided for under the Urban Councils Act. It also demanded stricter enforcement of asset declarations by councillors and other public officials, arguing that such measures could help identify unexplained wealth and potential conflicts of interest. The residents' body further called for stronger transparency requirements, including rigorous financial disclosures and tighter oversight of public land, leases and other municipal resources. “Relevant oversight institutions and political parties must immediately reinforce whistle-blower protections and institutional ethical standards,” BPRA said. Five Implicated in Allegations The calls follow the arrest and questioning of five current and former Bulawayo councillors in connection with allegations involving a US$52,000 bribe. Bulawayo deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and former Ward 22 councillor Rodney Jele were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over the weekend. Councillors Mxolisi Mahlangu and Ashton Mhlanga later handed themselves over at ZACC offices in Bulawayo. The five are accused of soliciting a US$52,000 bribe allegedly intended to prevent the cancellation of a hotel development lease. The matter is expected to proceed through the courts, where the allegations will be tested. BPRA said the developments should serve as a catalyst for deeper reforms aimed at strengthening ethical governance, protecting whistle-blowers and ensuring greater accountability in the management of Bulawayo's public resources. Bulawayo councillors bribery allegations

HARARE – Former ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman Temba Mliswa has criticised businessman Wicknell Chivayo over the manner in which he announced proposed donations to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) following the conviction and jailing of 18 men who robbed his in-laws in Marondera. The robbery occurred at Alpha and Omega Farm in March 2025, shortly after Chivayo had paid lobola for his current wife. Chivayo recently announced plans to donate 10 bulletproof Toyota Fortuners, tactical equipment valued at US$250,000 and an iPhone 17 Pro Max to every officer in Harare's Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide division. In statements posted on X and Facebook, Chivayo praised the CID Homicide response team, investigating officers and commanders for their handling of the case. “This proposed donation and gesture, if approved, is simply my small way of saying thank you for a job well done,” Chivayo said. Mliswa Calls for Institutional Decorum However, Mliswa said he was not opposed to individuals or companies supporting public institutions but argued that such donations should be handled in a manner that protects the integrity and independence of the organisations receiving them. He said proper decorum and respect were essential when making public acknowledgements to law enforcement agencies. Mliswa warned that singling out a specific group of officers for high-value gifts could create the perception of undue influence and potentially undermine public confidence in the police force. “The entire police force deserves support rather than the favour of a select few. Thus, it is essential to contribute to the ZRP as an entire entity, rather than creating the impression of purchasing control,” Mliswa wrote on X. Debate Over Donations to Public Institutions The proposed donation has raised broader questions about how private individuals should support public institutions and whether high-value gifts to specific law enforcement units could affect perceptions of institutional independence. Chivayo maintained that the gesture was intended as an expression of appreciation for the officers involved in investigating and resolving the robbery case. The donations remain subject to approval. The 18 men convicted in connection with the robbery were jailed following the conclusion of the criminal case. Temba Mliswa Wicknell Chivayo ZRP donations