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

HARARE – A senior ZANU PF official has called on Zimbabwean women to have more children and avoid using contraceptives, arguing that the country's declining birth rate is a cause for concern. ZANU PF Secretary for Women Affairs and Senate President Mabel Chinomona made the remarks at a recent Women's League event in Murehwa West constituency. “Women, please stop using family planning; please go and give birth,” Chinomona said. “Our soldiers are now few; we need farmers, doctors and nurses while you are busy swallowing those pills. “We are supposed to build this country, yet you find children of this generation saying a single child is enough. How many siblings do you have?” Zimbabwe's fertility rate has declined significantly over the past four decades. At independence in 1980, women in Zimbabwe had an average of close to seven children each. By 1990, the fertility rate had fallen to about 4.9 children per woman. By 2006, it had declined further to between 3.6 and 3.8 children per woman. Current estimates place Zimbabwe's fertility rate at between 3.2 and 3.6 children per woman, although this remains above the population replacement level of approximately 2.1 children per woman. The decline has largely been attributed to increased access to family planning services, the rising cost of raising children and higher levels of education among women. Chinomona's remarks come amid broader demographic shifts across Zimbabwe and other African countries, where changing economic conditions and greater access to reproductive health services have contributed to smaller family sizes. ZANU PF women contraceptives

Kylian Mbappé celebrating a goal for Real Madrid match victory against Real Sociedad Mpundu Valerie MADRID – The Bernabéu got its first taste of the new regime, and it was brutal as Real Madrid dominated Real Sociedad in a thrilling match. On his return, José oversaw a 4-1 Real Madrid match victory over Real Sociedad that felt less like a season opener and more like a warning to rival La Liga football clubs. Kylian Mbappé Real Madrid performances reached a new high as he led the destruction with a clinical treble on 40’, 60’, and 80’. The haul took the Frenchman to 101 goal contributions for the club. Vinícius Jr. chipped in with the other goal to solidify the win. The visitors only had Sučić’s 44th-minute reply to show for their efforts against a dominant home defense. From the press to the pace, José’s influence on the squad was immediate. Quick transitions, ruthless finishing, and a crowd that left believing made for an unforgettable Santiago Bernabéu match day. It was a milestone night for Mbappé with three goals and one century of goal contributions. At this rate, the record books won’t survive the season. One might say it’s early days on Matchday 1, and the La Liga standings table can wait. But if this performance is the standard, the rest of the league has a problem. Madrid are keeping it real. Real Madrid match

R RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu has called on businesses to treat ZiG and US dollar payments equally. HARARE – Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor John Mushayavanhu has challenged businesses to be indifferent when pricing goods and services or accepting payment in either ZiG or US dollars. In a statement issued on Tuesday, 25 August, Mushayavanhu said annual ZiG inflation stood at 2.9 percent in August 2026, compared with domestic US dollar inflation of 3.1 percent. He said the figures showed that prices of locally produced goods and services had been rising at broadly the same pace in both currencies since August last year. “This entails that prices of domestic goods and services, since August 2025, have increased at relatively the same pace in both ZiG and US dollar,” Mushayavanhu said. “Importantly, the implication is that businesses should be indifferent in terms of pricing and accepting payment in either foreign currency or ZiG.” Mushayavanhu said the prevailing low and stable inflation environment should improve predictability and certainty for businesses, supporting planning and investment. He added that this was critical to encouraging wider use of the ZiG within Zimbabwe's multi-currency economy. The RBZ governor said the central bank was encouraged by the low single-digit inflation recorded from January through to August 2026. According to the central bank, annual ZiG inflation remained below five percent during the first eight months of the year, averaging 4 percent. Annual inflation rose from 4.1 percent in January to 4.8 percent in April, reflecting the impact of higher domestic fuel prices following a global oil price shock linked to conflict in the Middle East. The inflation rate subsequently moderated, reaching 2.9 percent in August. Mushayavanhu said sustained price stability was essential to strengthening confidence in the ZiG and promoting its wider use alongside foreign currencies. RBZ ZiG and US dollar

MASVINGO — Former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi has formally applied to rejoin ZANU PF, nearly nine years after he was expelled from the ruling party following the 2017 military-assisted transition that ended Robert Mugabe’s presidency. Mzembi, who was once associated with the G40 faction during ZANU PF’s internal power struggles, served as Tourism Minister before being appointed Foreign Affairs Minister. His readmission request was recently considered by the ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Executive Council (PEC) at an emergency meeting held at Masvingo Polytechnic. In a letter tabled before the PEC, Mzembi said his membership was rescinded by the party’s Special Emergency Central Committee on 19 November 2017. “I write to respectfully apply for readmission into ZANU PF. My membership was rescinded by a special emergency central committee meeting on November 19, 2017,” Mzembi wrote. He said he wanted to renew his membership and contribute to the party’s programmes and activities. “I sincerely wish to renew my membership and contribute positively to its programmes and activities. ZANU PF is a party of depth, and I wish to contribute to its development. I commit to uphold the constitution of the party if readmitted.” Party divided over Mzembi's return The application reportedly divided members of the provincial executive. Some members supported Mzembi’s return but said he should first become a card-carrying member at cell level and should not immediately occupy a leadership position. Others opposed his readmission, accusing him of criticising the party on social media. The debate led provincial political commissar Brian Munyoro to propose that Mzembi be summoned before the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) to respond to questions surrounding his case before a final decision is reached. The PEC also resolved that selected posts from Mzembi’s Facebook and X accounts be printed and presented to him so that he could respond to allegations that he had been critical of the party. Mzembi's post-2017 legal battles Mzembi was expelled from ZANU PF following the November 2017 political transition. He subsequently left Zimbabwe and lived in exile in South Africa and later Zambia. He also faced corruption-related charges arising from his tenure as Tourism Minister. Mzembi returned to Zimbabwe in June 2025 and was arrested over outstanding warrants relating to allegations of criminal abuse of office and theft of trust property. In May 2026, he was acquitted in a case involving the donation of four LED television sets valued at approximately US$200,000 to churches, including Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church, without Treasury approval. His latest application marks a potential return to the political party from which he was expelled at the height of ZANU PF’s factional battles. For now, however, the Masvingo provincial leadership has opted to hear Mzembi’s response before making a recommendation on his readmission. Walter Mzembi ZANU PF readmission

HARARE — Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika Mnangagwa, the second wife of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Collins Mnangagwa, has apologised to her mother-in-law, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, while denying involvement in allegations that have embroiled members of the First Family. Collins Mnangagwa is the President’s twin son. Kelsea, 22, is currently in custody facing allegations of unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs, money laundering and possession of a forged national identity document. Through her lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, Kelsea said reports linking the First Lady to an alleged assault on her mother, Amina Jessub Arab, were part of what she described as a campaign by people seeking to create divisions within the First Family. The reports alleged that Auxillia had confronted Arab over claims involving an alleged spell cast on Collins and assets reportedly worth more than US$10 million. Kelsea denied having dragged the First Lady into the dispute and said she regretted that her legal defence had resulted in public controversy involving the First Family. In a letter addressed to Auxillia, the lawyers said their client wanted to convey her “sincerest apologies” to the First Lady, the President and the wider First Family. “It was never her intention, nor could it ever be, to denigrate or show any measure of disrespect towards yourself, His Excellency the President, or any member of the First Family,” the lawyers wrote. They said Kelsea believed opportunists and detractors had used the ongoing criminal proceedings to create what they described as “destructive narratives” around the First Family. The lawyers said Kelsea “vehemently denies” the allegations against her but wanted to make it clear that she had not sought to involve Auxillia in the controversy. “Our client is not a party to that scandalous enterprise, and neither are we,” they said. Kelsea seeks amicable resolution Kelsea also expressed a desire for an amicable resolution to the dispute and said she was open to direct engagement with her mother-in-law on any issues that had caused concern. The lawyers said their client had reflected on the events surrounding the case and regretted the escalation of the public discourse. “She has learnt from this experience and sincerely hopes that a direct and respectful dialogue may bring about the closure she earnestly seeks,” the lawyers said. They added that Kelsea was “very sorry” that the matter had escalated to such an extent. The lawyers also defended their handling of the case, saying they had acted strictly on their client's instructions and in accordance with their professional obligations. They said their role had been to present Kelsea's defence to investigators, including the account she gave during the recording of her warned-and-cautioned statement before she was charged with money laundering. “We are officers of the court, and we conduct ourselves as such,” the lawyers said. They maintained that they had never intended to scandalise the First Lady or the First Family. The letter ended with the lawyers expressing hope that it had clarified both Kelsea's position and their own. Kelsea remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. Kelsea Mnangagwa apology to Auxillia

By Sam Mwale The postponement of Zimbabwe’s parliamentary elections from 2028 to 2030 presents an unexpected opportunity. Rather than viewing the additional two years simply as an extension of the electoral calendar, Zimbabwe could use this period to modernise its electoral architecture, strengthen transparency, and, most importantly, rebuild public confidence in the democratic process. For decades, virtually every election cycle has been accompanied by concerns and counter-concerns over the voters’ roll, voter registration, ballot handling, vote counting, result transmission, voter intimidation, and the overall credibility of electoral outcomes. Regardless of political affiliation, it is difficult to dispute that public trust remains one of the most valuable yet fragile assets in a democracy. The challenge, therefore, is not merely to conduct elections, but to conduct them in a manner that commands confidence among winners, losers, political parties, observers, and citizens alike. One reform worthy of serious national consideration is the progressive electoral digitalisation in Zimbabwe. Beyond Digitisation: Rethinking the Electoral Process It is important to distinguish between digitisation and digitalisation. Digitisation essentially means converting paper-based information into electronic form, such as scanning voter registration documents or maintaining an electronic voters’ roll. Digitalisation goes considerably further: it involves redesigning and transforming processes through the strategic use of digital technologies. Applied to elections, this could encompass digital voter registration, electronic voter verification, biometric authentication, secure electronic vote management, real-time result transmission, automated tallying, and robust audit mechanisms. The objective would not be to replace democracy with technology, but to use technology to strengthen democratic processes by reducing opportunities for human error, manipulation, delays, and disputes. Technology has already transformed banking, commerce, healthcare, taxation, passport services, and public administration. Elections, arguably one of the most important national processes, should not remain indefinitely insulated from technological innovation. Zimbabwe Would Not Be Starting from Scratch International experience demonstrates that digital electoral systems can work, although there is no universal model and technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections. Estonia is perhaps the most prominent example. It introduced legally binding nationwide internet voting in 2005, using secure digital identities to authenticate voters while protecting ballot secrecy. More than half of votes in recent parliamentary elections have been cast electronically. The country's experience demonstrates that successful digital voting depends not simply on software, but on secure digital identity infrastructure, cybersecurity, legal safeguards, independent audits, and sustained public confidence. Brazil provides another important example. Since introducing electronic voting machines in the 1990s, the country has used electronic systems on a nationwide scale. The technology has significantly reduced the time required to count votes and announce results, while incorporating auditing, security testing, and independent oversight. India offers a different but particularly relevant lesson. Its Aadhaar programme demonstrates how secure digital identity and biometric authentication can operate at extraordinary scale. Although India continues to use polling-station-based voting rather than nationwide internet voting, its digital identity ecosystem illustrates the potential of secure citizen authentication across a large population. Closer to home, African countries such as Kenya and South Africa have employed biometric voter registration and electronic voter-verification technologies to improve registration accuracy and reduce duplication. These experiences suggest that electoral digitalisation does not have to begin with internet voting; it can progress incrementally. Zimbabwe's Existing Advantage Zimbabwe already possesses an important foundation: a long-established national identity system administered through the Registrar General. Instead of creating an entirely new electoral identity infrastructure, the country could progressively develop a secure digital identity layer linked to existing national identification. Such an architecture could support biometric verification, mobile authentication, digital voter certificates, electronic Know Your Citizen (e-KYC) processes, secure voter-registration updates, and real-time voters’ roll management. The existing identity infrastructure therefore provides an opportunity to develop a more integrated digital electoral ecosystem rather than building the system entirely from the ground up. What Could Digitalisation Fix? A properly designed digital electoral system could address several longstanding concerns. A continuously maintained digital voters’ roll could help identify duplicate registrations, deceased voters, and data inconsistencies. Electronic verification could ensure that voters are authenticated and vote only once at authorised locations. Secure electronic transmission and auditable tallying could reduce delays and opportunities for manual manipulation. Digital systems could also help address misconceptions about election receipts and ballot secrecy. The fundamental principle must remain clear: electoral authorities should be able to establish that a citizen has voted, but must never be able to determine how that citizen voted. Voter identity and ballot content must therefore be separated through encryption, anonymisation, and appropriate system architecture. The Infrastructure Challenge Is Changing Connectivity has historically been one of the strongest arguments against nationwide electoral digitalisation in Zimbabwe, particularly in remote areas. That challenge, however, is becoming increasingly manageable. Mobile broadband continues to expand, fibre infrastructure is developing, and satellite-based connectivity is increasingly capable of reaching communities previously considered difficult to connect. This does not mean that every polling station currently has perfect connectivity. It does mean, however, that the technological barriers that once appeared insurmountable are no longer necessarily so. Any national system would nevertheless require dependable and secure connectivity, appropriate backup arrangements, and resilience against outages. Digital transformation should never replace one vulnerability with another. Start Small Before Going National Zimbabwe should not attempt to transform its electoral system in one leap. A phased approach would be considerably more prudent. The first phase could focus on establishing a secure and continuously updated digital voters’ roll. The second could introduce electronic voter verification while retaining familiar paper ballots. The third could involve carefully controlled electronic-voting pilots during selected local authority or parliamentary by-elections. The fourth would subject the pilots to independent technical, legal, and public-confidence assessments. Only after lessons had been incorporated should broader national implementation be considered. Such pilots would provide practical evidence about cost, reliability, security, user experience, and public acceptance while allowing weaknesses to be identified before they become nationwide problems. Trust Must Be Designed into the System The greatest mistake would be to assume that technology automatically creates trust. It does not. Any move towards electoral digitalisation would require independent system audits, open testing of equipment, rigorous cybersecurity, transparent procurement, multi-stakeholder oversight, robust data-protection safeguards, public demonstrations, and intensive voter education. Election technology must never become a "black box" whose operation is understood only by technical specialists. Political parties, civil society organisations, observers, and independent auditors should have meaningful opportunities to verify system integrity without compromising voter privacy or ballot secrecy. Public education would be equally important. Citizens cannot reasonably be expected to trust technology they neither understand nor have had an opportunity to scrutinise. Confidence must therefore be earned through openness, education, and demonstrable safeguards. The Real Objective Is Electoral Credibility The debate should ultimately not be about technology for its own sake. Digital systems are not automatically superior simply because they are modern. A poorly designed digital system could introduce new vulnerabilities while attempting to solve old ones. The real objective is electoral credibility. If digital technologies can improve the integrity of the voters’ roll, strengthen voter authentication, accelerate result transmission and tallying, improve transparency, and reduce opportunities for manipulation, then they deserve serious consideration. If they cannot demonstrably achieve these outcomes, they should not be adopted. Technology will not eliminate every electoral dispute. Neither will it be a substitute for strong institutions, sound laws, competent electoral administration, or responsible political leadership. But when combined with these foundations, digitalisation could become an important instrument for strengthening democratic trust during this critical two-year window. electoral digitalisation in Zimbabwe

HARARE — Nkululeko Rusununguko TV (NRTV), a television station owned by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), is facing financial difficulties, with some of its movable assets set to be auctioned after the broadcaster failed to settle outstanding employee salaries. The auction follows a High Court order authorising the attachment of NRTV property to recover money owed to its workers. According to NewZimbabwe.com, the dispute involves 70 employees who approached the Labour Court after the broadcaster allegedly failed to pay their salaries. Labour arbitrator Patience Kavuru subsequently found that the company had defaulted on its obligations and ordered it to pay US$278,479.88 to the affected employees. However, NRTV reportedly failed to comply with the award, prompting the employees to approach the High Court for enforcement. The court subsequently granted an order allowing the attachment of the company's property. NRTV operates under Nkululeko Rusununguko Holdings, a company in which the ZNA has a substantial interest. Vehicles, office equipment up for auction An auction notice issued by KM Auctions (Pvt) Ltd lists several NRTV assets for sale. Motor vehicles with a combined estimated value of US$76,000 are among the assets listed. The auction also includes office equipment and appliances, including refrigerators, printers and television sets. The auction was scheduled for Wednesday, 26 August 2026. The case highlights the financial pressures facing the broadcaster and raises questions about the sustainability of its operations as employees pursue payment of outstanding wages. This article is based on information contained in the supplied report. Southerton Business Times could not independently verify the auction outcome or the current status of the attached assets. . NRTV US$278,000 salary debt

By Mpundu Valerie If it were Area 51, perhaps the mystery would make sense. Alas, this is Glenview Area 8 — Harare’s furniture manufacturing hub known for bursting into flames almost every year at this time. The pattern is almost religious. As the dry season comes around, so does the Glen View Area 8 fire inferno. Schools of thought have emerged regarding the Harare furniture market fire. Some cite political conspiracy. Others blame human error and poor fire safety. In the community, a few whisper of witchcraft, saying a ritual must be followed religiously. What is clear is that by this time every year, a fire breaks out in Glenview 8. What remains unclear is why. Authorities are yet to establish a definitive cause. Meanwhile, carpenters count financial losses, families count informal sector jobs lost, and smoke once again hangs over Area 8. Glenview Area 8 fire Harare

The El Niño event developing over the Pacific Ocean could become one of the strongest on record, with the UK Met Office warning that the phenomenon could contribute to 2027 becoming the hottest year ever recorded globally. The powerful natural climate pattern raises global temperatures and can disrupt weather patterns, increasing the risk of droughts, floods, heatwaves and other extreme weather events. The Met Office says it is “very likely” that 2027 will set a new global temperature record as the effects of El Niño combine with ongoing human-induced climate change. According to BBC News, there is already growing evidence that the developing El Niño is influencing weather patterns in different parts of the world. India has experienced below-average monsoon rainfall, while hurricane activity in the Atlantic has been suppressed. “We should be clear that this is an unprecedented event,” said Prof Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the UK Met Office. “I have never seen an El Niño signal this intense in our forecasts.” What is El Niño? El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that develops in the tropical Pacific Ocean, generally every two to seven years, and typically lasts around a year. Under normal conditions, trade winds blow from east to west across the Pacific. During an El Niño event, those winds weaken or sometimes reverse, allowing unusually warm water to move eastwards towards the Americas. The warmer ocean releases additional heat into the atmosphere, raising global temperatures and disrupting rainfall patterns around the world. Scientists generally identify an El Niño event when sea surface temperatures in a key region of the Pacific are at least 0.5°C above the long-term average. Current measurements are reportedly more than 2°C above normal, while Met Office forecasts suggest temperatures could rise above 3°C later this year as the event approaches its peak. If temperatures reach those levels, the event would be unprecedented in records dating back to 1950 and could represent the strongest El Niño since the 19th century, according to the Met Office. Deep ocean heat could fuel event Scientists are also monitoring unusually warm water deeper in the Pacific Ocean. In some areas, temperatures around 100 metres below the surface are reportedly about 8°C above normal. This reservoir of warm water could provide additional heat to the surface and help sustain or intensify the El Niño event. Some climate researchers have suggested that the event could become even stronger than current Met Office projections, potentially reaching 4°C above average in the relevant sea-surface temperature measure. Climate scientist Dr Zeke Hausfather of Berkeley Earth warned that such an outcome could potentially make this one of the strongest El Niño events in several centuries. “If this comes to pass, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility to say this might be the strongest El Niño event in 500 or even 1,000 years,” Hausfather said. Zimbabwe faces drought risk For Zimbabwe, the developing El Niño is a major concern ahead of the 2026/27 agricultural season. El Niño conditions have historically been associated with below-average rainfall across much of southern Africa, raising the risk of drought, crop failures, water shortages and extreme heat. Farmers and communities could therefore face another challenging season if forecasts of reduced rainfall materialise. However, the eventual impact on Zimbabwe will depend on the strength and duration of the El Niño event, as well as regional weather patterns. Authorities, farmers and businesses will need to closely monitor seasonal forecasts and prepare for the possibility of below-normal rainfall and elevated temperatures. The developing event also highlights the growing importance of climate resilience, particularly for Zimbabwe's agriculture, water, energy and food-security sectors. Niño Zimbabwe 2026/27

By Mpundu Valerie Behind prison walls, one woman is stitching a new future one crystal bag at a time, showcasing how empowerment and rehabilitation in Zimbabwe can transform lives through creative entrepreneurship. For this inmate at Z.P.C.S, self-reliance started as a dream with no resources. Today, it’s a small business in the making centered on skilled craft and sustainable livelihood. "I remember starting out. It was heartache," she says. "I didn't have everything I needed. The idea and the urge were there, but resources were limited." What she did have was determination and a passion for handcrafts. The turning point came after a call from the First Lady, whose community development initiatives continue to uplift women across the country. Inspired, she approached the wardens. "I woke up one day and asked for help. Funds were pooled together and material was brought in for me to start." Now, she makes crystal handbags from scratch. Each one sells from just $35, offering custom fashion accessories that highlight resilience and skill. For her, the work is about more than money. It’s about mindset, personal rehabilitation, and building a brighter future. crystal handbags rehabilitation Zimbabwe

HARARE — CBZ Holdings plans to mobilise US$600 million to rehabilitate key highways linking Zimbabwe to regional markets, as the financial services group seeks to accelerate infrastructure development through private-sector financing. CBZ chief executive officer Lawrence Nyazema said the wider road network could ultimately require up to US$5 billion in investment, with US$75 million already secured under the initial financing programme. Nyazema was speaking during an analysts' briefing in Harare on Monday. He said CBZ was preparing to deploy the first US$100 million tranche of a planned US$600 million infrastructure bond. “We will start with the first 100 million. And if you recall, I said 75 million is already in place,” Nyazema said. “That’s where my confidence comes from when I say we should be able to start this basing before the end of August.” The initial programme will target the Harare-Chirundu highway, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road and the remaining section of the Beitbridge-Harare highway, with CBZ seeking to bring regional and international financiers into the programme. Harare-Chirundu highway targeted Nyazema said approximately 350 kilometres of the Harare-Chirundu highway would be targeted, with priority given to sections that have deteriorated significantly. He said the investment was not being pursued solely for financial returns but was also intended to support economic activity and regional trade. “The idea is not just to make money, but to make sure that the infrastructure that supports economic activity and regional trade is in place,” he said. CBZ also plans to finance rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, which Nyazema described as important for tourism and regional connectivity. The more than 400-kilometre road could require approximately US$450 million to upgrade, based on an estimated cost of about US$1 million per kilometre. The first phase of the programme will also include approximately US$35 million to complete the remaining section of the Beitbridge-Harare road. US$5bn road investment needed Nyazema said the planned US$600 million programme would cover only the first two phases of a much larger infrastructure initiative. CBZ estimates that Zimbabwe's broader road network could require up to US$5 billion in investment. The bank does not intend to raise the full amount at once. Instead, the projects will be rolled out in stages as financing becomes available. CBZ plans to raise the remaining US$500 million through bond listings, including on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) and potentially a regional or international exchange, in an effort to attract foreign capital. Nyazema said the decision to begin with a US$100 million tranche was intended to allow work to start before all the financing was raised. Of that initial tranche, US$75 million is already secured, while the remaining US$500 million will be structured as the projects progress. Works to begin before rains CBZ expects to undertake preparatory works before the rainy season, with the larger financing package expected to be in place, or partially in place, by around February. Nyazema said the private sector was increasingly being called upon to help bridge Zimbabwe's infrastructure financing gap. He said financing, rather than a shortage of equipment or technical expertise, had been one of the major constraints affecting the completion of road projects. The proposed investment could provide a significant boost to Zimbabwe's road infrastructure while improving links between major economic centres, tourism destinations and regional trade corridors. CBZ US$600m road infrastructure