Zimbabwe and Zambia are preparing to launch a landmark project that will see the installation of Africa's first floating international border buoys on Lake Kariba, a move aimed at clearly defining the shared boundary between the two neighbouring countries. The initiative is expected to eliminate longstanding uncertainty surrounding the lake's international border, a challenge that has for decades led to accidental crossings, disputes, arrests, and tensions involving fishermen, tourism operators, and local communities. Plans for the project were unveiled during a stakeholder awareness workshop held in Kariba last week, bringing together government officials, surveyors, traditional leaders, fishing communities, and tourism stakeholders. According to officials, installation of the floating markers is expected to commence later this month, with the entire boundary demarcation project scheduled for completion by 2027. The programme is being jointly coordinated by the Surveyor-General's offices of Zimbabwe and Zambia under the framework of the African Union Border Programme, with financial and technical support provided by the German development agency GIZ. Zimbabwe's Surveyor-General, Edwin Guvaza, said the project is intended to provide a visible and permanent reference point for communities and businesses that rely on Lake Kariba for their livelihoods. "We have been working on this initiative since 2021 and anticipate completion by 2027. Since the two countries are separated by water, it is important that the boundary is clearly identifiable. The goal is for people to see the border rather than estimate where it is," Guvaza said. His Zambian counterpart, Calvin Chibangula, said the lack of visible border markers has historically created challenges for fishers and boat operators who sometimes unknowingly cross into foreign waters. He noted that once the floating boundary markers are installed, local communities will be able to fish, trade, and navigate the lake with greater certainty and reduced risk of legal complications. "Many people have faced difficulties because the boundary is not clearly visible. The new markers will help eliminate confusion and allow communities to conduct their activities with confidence without fear of accidentally crossing into another country's territory," Chibangula said. The international boundary on Lake Kariba was formally established in 1963 following the creation of the lake. However, the border has remained largely invisible on the water, making enforcement and compliance difficult for both authorities and lake users. Officials believe the floating buoy system will improve border management, reduce conflicts, strengthen cooperation between the two countries, and enhance safety for the thousands of people who depend on the lake for fishing, tourism, and transport. Lake Kariba floating border buoys

The High Court has dismissed an application by businessman Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo seeking to halt legal proceedings brought by his former partner, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, in which she is pursuing a declaration of a civil partnership, maintenance, asset sharing, and divorce-related claims. In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Fatima Maxwell ruled that Chivayo's application amounted to an attempt to circumvent an existing court order that both parties had previously agreed to. The dispute stems from an urgent chamber application filed by Chivayo on 4 March 2026 regarding access to the couple's minor children while broader family law issues remained unresolved. The matter was subsequently settled through a consent order issued by Justice Amy Tsanga on 2 April 2026. Under that agreement, both parties expressly accepted that all issues relating to the financial consequences arising from the breakdown of their relationship would be determined under case number HCHF 62/2026, the main matter initiated by Madzikanda. Justice Maxwell found that Chivayo's later application, filed on 27 April 2026, sought to prevent those same issues from being heard despite the earlier agreement. According to the judge, the effect of the consent order was clear: the parties had already agreed that questions concerning property rights and financial consequences would be determined in the main proceedings. She ruled that the latest application was effectively an attempt to reverse a position that Chivayo had voluntarily accepted before the court. The judge also criticised Chivayo's legal papers for failing to disclose the existence of the earlier consent order. Justice Maxwell described the omission as an apparent effort to mislead the court and emphasised that court orders remain binding on all parties unless properly challenged and set aside through lawful procedures. The court further rejected arguments based on High Court Rule 31(1), which permits the dismissal of actions that are frivolous, vexatious or entirely without merit. Justice Maxwell noted that the rule was intended for cases where an entire claim is hopeless and incapable of succeeding. In this matter, she found that Madzikanda's summons could not be described as entirely unsustainable, particularly given that some aspects of the case, including maintenance and custody-related issues, remained undisputed. The judge also observed that the parties continued to disagree on whether the provisions of the Marriages Act applied to their relationship, while Madzikanda's case additionally relied on constitutional arguments that had yet to be fully ventilated before the court. Citing the legal principle that litigants cannot adopt contradictory positions to suit changing circumstances, Justice Maxwell held that Chivayo could not agree to the determination of proprietary issues in one proceeding and later seek to prevent that very process from taking place. The application was dismissed with costs. Chivayo was represented by Advocate Sylvester Hashiti and Edley Mubaiwa of Mpofu Mazhata Chambers, while Madzikanda was represented by Advocate Regina Mabwe of Mahuni Gidiri Law Chambers. The ruling comes amid heightened public interest in the dispute. Madzikanda recently claimed on social media that a court had ruled she was never married to Chivayo and had dismissed her divorce case. However, her legal team has maintained that no such judgment exists. Madzikanda is reportedly seeking a settlement valued at US$25 million. Chivayo's lawyers continue to argue that the parties were never legally married, despite sharing two minor children. Wicknell Chivayo Sonja Madzikanda court case

DOHA, Qatar — Zimbabwean sprint sensation Makanakaishe Charamba turned on the burners at the Wanda Diamond League in Doha, storming to a spectacular second-place finish in a breathless 200-meter final. The 24-year-old Paris Olympic finalist clocked an incredible 19.88 seconds, perfectly equaling his lifetime personal best set just days earlier in Texas. Charamba crossed the line just a fraction behind South Africa’s rising star Sinesipho Dambile, who took the crown in a blistering 19.74 seconds. The race immediately goes down as one of the fastest and most competitive half-lap fields of the year. Conditions on the track sparked a masterclass in elite sprinting, pushing the world-class lineup to absolute structural limits. DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE 200M TOP FINISHERS: 1. Sinesipho Dambile (RSA) ──► 19.74 seconds 2. Makanaka Charamba (ZIM) ──► 19.88 seconds (=PB) The depth of the race was historic: exactly half of the competing field walked away with brand-new personal bests, while two other sprinters recorded their fastest times of the season. For Charamba, the performance cements his status as one of Southern Africa’s most consistent sub-20-second threats on the international stage. Speaking with international track analysts trackside, regional athletics expert Brian Dube praised Charamba’s tactical execution: "To run sub-19.90 back-to-back on different continents proves Makanaka is no longer just a rising prospect he is a certified global heavyweight. His curve management in Doha was pristine, matching Dambile stride for stride in the final 50 meters." The Auburn University standout will continue his European and Middle Eastern circuit tour as he fine-tunes his form ahead of upcoming global championship representations. Makanaka Charamba 200m

Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off under football's new mouth-covering regulation after receiving a red card during Paraguay's FIFA World Cup Group D clash against Türkiye on Friday. The incident occurred in the third minute of first-half stoppage time when Almirón appeared to cover his mouth while speaking to Türkiye defender Mert Müldür during a confrontation on the pitch. Following a brief VAR review, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton issued a straight red card, applying a recently introduced law approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The new regulation states that any player who covers their mouth while speaking during a confrontational exchange with an opponent may be dismissed. The measure was introduced to prevent offensive or discriminatory remarks from being concealed from officials and cameras. The rule emerged following controversy during the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior. Under the updated guidelines, players are still permitted to cover their mouths during friendly or non-confrontational conversations. However, doing so during an argument or altercation can result in an automatic red card. Almirón's dismissal marked Paraguay's third red card in FIFA World Cup history. The nation's previous World Cup send-offs came in 2002 when Carlos Paredes and Roberto Acuña were both dismissed. The red card also became the seventh of the tournament, the highest total recorded at a World Cup since 2014. Earlier in the match, Matías Galarza scored what was reported as the fastest goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, finding the net just 64 seconds after kick-off. His strike ultimately proved decisive as Paraguay held on to secure a 1-0 victory despite playing much of the match with ten men. The result ended Türkiye's hopes of progressing to the knockout stages, while Paraguay strengthened its position in Group D. Miguel Almirón red card mouth-covering rule

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — The Bulawayo Regional Court has handed down a combined 40-year prison sentence to a 60-year-old Nkayi man and his 19-year-old neighbor after the senior citizen systematically trafficked his 12-year-old granddaughter for sexual abuse in exchange for regular supplies of alcohol. The two co-accused, both residents of Pawu 1 Village in Nkayi, Matabeleland North province, were convicted on three counts of aggravated statutory rape. Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla sentenced both perpetrators to 20 years in prison for each count, ordered to run concurrently. The grandfather's identity has been legally suppressed by the court to protect the underage survivor. The prosecution, led by state counsel Tsungai Mutapi, detailed a calculated and deeply disturbing transactional agreement between the two men. The court heard that the teenage perpetrator regularly purchased local brews for the grandfather, forging a close relationship centered around drinking sprees. In exchange for funding this alcohol habit, the elderly man granted the teenager unrestricted nighttime access to his vulnerable granddaughter's sleeping quarters. CHRONOLOGY OF THE OFFENSES (PAWU 1 VILLAGE): [Dec 7, 2025] ──► Initial attack at 10 PM; grandfather feigns sleep during screams. [Dec 8, 2025] ──► Second assault; victim silenced by grandfather when reporting. [Subsequent] ──► Third violation under ongoing alcohol-for-access arrangement. The state established that the initial assault took place at approximately 10:00 PM on December 7, last year, when the teenager crept into the bedroom where the victim slept alongside her two minor siblings. "When the complainant screamed for help, her grandfather actively feigned ignorance and refused to intervene. The teenager then stripped and raped the complainant," Mutapi told the court during trial proceedings. When the traumatized child attempted to report the assault to her primary caregiver the next morning, the grandfather explicitly ordered her to remain silent. Emboldened by the grandfather’s complicity, the 19-year-old returned to the homestead on two subsequent occasions, executing identical assaults under their standing beer arrangement. The systemic abuse only came to light when the survivor managed to confide in her grandmother, who immediately bypassed her husband to file a criminal report with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). A subsequent medical examination formally confirmed the physical trauma. In passing the stiff sentence, Magistrate Mkandla heavily condemned the stark generational gap and the egregious breach of familial trust by a guardian. Legal experts monitoring sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) court cases in Zimbabwe have lauded the firm sentence, noting that rural child protection systems require stringent enforcement against complicit guardians to deter surging rural child abuse numbers. court cases in Zimbabwe

A human rights activist has approached the High Court seeking an order declaring that critical provisions of the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill cannot legally take effect without first being approved through a national referendum. The application, filed on 26 May with support from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, names Parliament, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), and the Attorney General as respondents. Applicant Youngerson Matete argues that his challenge is grounded in his rights as a citizen, registered voter, and beneficiary of Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework. He contends that Parliament's authority to amend the Constitution is limited by the Constitution itself and must comply with the procedures outlined in Section 328. According to court papers, any attempt to amend constitutionally protected provisions without following the prescribed procedures would be unconstitutional, unlawful, and invalid from the outset. Gazetted in February, Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 proposes far-reaching changes to Zimbabwe’s governance framework, including extending presidential, parliamentary, and local authority terms from five years to seven years. The Bill also proposes changes to electoral administration, including transferring voter registration responsibilities from ZEC to the Registrar General, establishing a separate electoral delimitation commission, abolishing the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and expanding the Senate through additional presidential appointments. Matete's application specifically targets Clauses 4, 9, and 10 of the Bill, which seek to extend terms of office. He argues that these provisions affect entrenched constitutional safeguards and therefore cannot be lawfully enacted without approval through a national referendum. According to the application, bypassing a referendum would undermine constitutional supremacy, democratic participation, the sovereignty of the people, and the rule of law. Matete further argues that citizens would be deprived of their constitutional right to directly participate in decisions affecting protected constitutional provisions. The application asks the High Court to determine whether proceeding with the amendments without a referendum would violate Sections 2, 3, and 328 of the Constitution. The applicant is seeking a declaration that Clauses 4, 9, and 10 are constitutionally protected and unenforceable unless approved by voters in a referendum. The draft order also seeks to prevent Parliament, the President, and the Justice Minister from implementing the contested provisions unless a referendum is first conducted. In addition, the court is being asked to direct ZEC to organise a referendum should Parliament ultimately pass the clauses. Justice Minister Ziyambi has consistently defended the Bill, arguing that the proposed amendments do not trigger the constitutional provisions requiring a referendum. Addressing journalists earlier this year, Ziyambi said the legislation merely extends the electoral cycle from five years to seven years and does not alter presidential term limits. He argued that Section 328(6) requires a referendum only for amendments affecting provisions contained in Chapter 4, which deals with the Declaration of Rights, and Chapter 16, which concerns Agricultural Land. According to Ziyambi, the Bill leaves Section 91(2), which governs presidential term limits, unchanged and therefore does not require approval through a national vote. The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has previously warned Parliament that Clauses 4, 9, and 10 could be inconsistent with both the Constitution and international law if enacted without a referendum. In submissions made to Parliament in May, the LSZ argued that provisions extending presidential and parliamentary terms should not apply to incumbents unless approved by voters. Similarly, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference (ZCBC) cautioned that Section 328(7) was deliberately entrenched to prevent constitutional amendments that benefit incumbents. The bishops argued that Parliament cannot simply override constitutional protections through ordinary amendment provisions and warned that doing so could weaken constitutional supremacy. They further described term limits as essential democratic safeguards designed to prevent excessive concentration of power, promote accountability, and support peaceful political succession. The ZCBC noted that experiences elsewhere in Africa have shown that efforts to extend incumbency through constitutional amendments have often contributed to political tensions, institutional weakening, and democratic instability. The High Court challenge adds another legal dimension to the increasingly contentious debate surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. Supporters of the Bill argue that Parliament has the constitutional authority to amend provisions that are not specifically protected by referendum requirements. Critics, however, maintain that extending terms of office for incumbents strikes at the heart of constitutional safeguards and should be decided directly by the electorate. Matete is represented by Wilbert Mandinde of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3

Harare City Council Acting Principal Communications Officer Mercy Makuvatsine Twenty people were arrested in Harare’s central business district on Wednesday as authorities stepped up efforts to combat littering and improve environmental cleanliness in the capital. The operation was conducted jointly by the Harare City Council, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) as part of an ongoing campaign to enforce environmental regulations and promote responsible waste disposal. City officials said the arrests were made during a coordinated anti-littering exercise aimed at curbing the indiscriminate disposal of waste in public areas. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve sanitation standards, enhance public health, and create a cleaner urban environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. Authorities say littering remains a major challenge in Harare, contributing to blocked drainage systems, environmental degradation, and increased health risks. According to city authorities, four of the individuals arrested were assigned to clean designated areas within the city centre as part of corrective measures. Officials said the approach is intended to promote accountability while educating offenders about the importance of maintaining clean public spaces. The council believes community-based corrective actions can help change behaviour and encourage greater civic responsibility. Harare City Council Acting Principal Communications Officer Mercy Makuvatsine said anti-littering operations will continue across the city. She urged residents, commuters, and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly and support efforts to maintain a clean environment. Makuvatsine warned that individuals caught violating environmental regulations risk arrest and prosecution under existing laws. The latest arrests come amid growing efforts by authorities to address littering and illegal dumping across the capital. Officials are encouraging members of the public to use designated waste disposal facilities and to play an active role in keeping Harare clean. The council says sustained enforcement, public education, and community participation are essential to achieving a cleaner, safer, and healthier city. Harare anti-littering operation

Beer outlet operators who allow customers to drink now and pay later are violating Zimbabwe's liquor laws and could face serious penalties, including prosecution and the loss of their operating licences, authorities have warned. The warning comes as police and liquor licensing officials intensify awareness campaigns around the provisions of the Liquor Licensing Act [Chapter 14:12], which generally prohibits the sale or supply of alcohol on credit. A "tab" system, commonly used in some bars and drinking establishments, allows customers to accumulate purchases over time and settle their bills later. However, Zimbabwean law requires payment for liquor at the time it is supplied on licensed premises. Under Section 81 of the Liquor Licensing Act, no person may supply or consume liquor on licensed premises unless it has been paid for immediately when provided. The legislation is designed to promote accountability within the liquor industry and reduce disputes, disorderly conduct, and alcohol-related abuse associated with unpaid debts. Speaking during a stakeholder consultation workshop on the review of the Liquor Licencing Act in Mutare, Officer-in-Charge (Crime) at Police General Headquarters, Chief Inspector Tonderai Brian Chigweshe said many operators remain unaware of key legal obligations governing their businesses. "What is certain is that all those who sell beer or operate beer outlets operate under the Liquor Licensing Act, but they do not know what is contained in the Act. All they are after is profit," said Chigweshe. "Most of you do not know that selling alcohol on credit is a crime. Even when they go to the extent of trading beyond their stipulated time frames simply because they want to plead ignorance of the law, but ignorance is no defence." The Act does, however, provide specific exceptions to the prohibition on credit sales. Guests staying at hotels operating under hotel liquor licences may consume alcohol and settle charges through their accommodation accounts. Additional exemptions apply to liquor supplied alongside meals, alcohol served in moderate quantities during social functions hosted on licensed premises, drinks supplied to boarders and guests, and beverages offered free of charge by proprietors to friends or regular patrons. The law also empowers bar owners, managers, and staff to deny entry to or remove individuals who are intoxicated, violent, quarrelsome, or behaving in an offensive manner. People who habitually visit licensed premises to solicit drinks from other patrons may likewise be excluded. Where necessary, uniformed police officers are required to assist licence holders in removing disruptive individuals and may use reasonable force when circumstances warrant. The legislation further regulates operating hours by prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on licensed premises more than 30 minutes after official closing time, except in circumstances specifically permitted under the law. Authorities say the ongoing review of the Liquor Licensing Act is aimed at improving awareness and strengthening compliance across the liquor industry, where breaches of the law remain common. Officials have urged both operators and customers to familiarise themselves with the legislation, warning that non-compliance could result in fines, criminal charges, or the suspension and cancellation of liquor licences. Beer tabs illegal in Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans returning home from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks will be allowed to import personal belongings, household goods, and one motor vehicle under a special immigrants’ rebate scheme aimed at easing their resettlement. The concession was outlined in a directive from Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga to Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Commissioner-General Regina Chinamasa. Under the arrangement, qualifying former Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders will be permitted to bring one vehicle into Zimbabwe without paying customs duty. However, Value Added Tax (VAT) will still apply, although authorities say flexible valuation methods will be used to keep the amount payable as low as possible. “The facility would cater for only one motor vehicle imported by a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holder. All motor vehicles would be cleared under suspension of duty, whereby VAT would remain payable. ZIMRA would apply flexible valuation terms to ensure that the VAT payable on the vehicles would be minimal,” Guvamatanga said. The rebate applies to a single vehicle owned by an eligible returnee. Authorities have also relaxed import permit requirements for older vehicles. According to the directive, vehicles more than 10 years old will not require import permits, provided they meet the conditions attached to the immigrants’ rebate. The exemption is limited to vehicles that were purchased before the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit programme on 31 December 2022. In addition to vehicles, returning Zimbabweans will be allowed to import personal effects, household property, and certain commercial equipment used in their businesses while living in South Africa. “For personal property and equipment of a commercial nature. Rebate of duty would apply on personal and household property, as well as property of a commercial nature, which presumably the returnees would have been using in their businesses,” the letter states. Authorities said all qualifying goods must have been acquired before the expiry of the ZEP programme. “The exempted property would have been purchased prior to the expiry of the ZEPs, that is, prior to 31 December 2022.” The government has also introduced flexibility regarding the timing of imports to accommodate Zimbabweans who may have returned earlier but have not yet shipped their belongings. “There would be flexibility with respect to time of arrival in order to accord residents who returned by December 2022 ample time to clear their goods,” Guvamatanga explained. The Finance Ministry emphasised that safeguards will be implemented to ensure the facility benefits only genuine returning residents. Officials warned that the rebate will not apply to newly purchased items and that applicants will be required to prove ownership of imported vehicles and other qualifying property. “This is subject to the appropriate evaluation in order to limit potential abuse of the facility by non-qualifying returning residents. Furthermore, the facility will not apply to new items,” Guvamatanga said. “In the case of motor vehicles, the returnees are required to meet the conditions that ordinarily apply to immigrants. These include prior ownership of the motor vehicle.” The measure comes as Zimbabwe continues to respond to concerns over the welfare of its citizens in South Africa, where renewed fears of xenophobic violence have prompted some Zimbabweans to consider returning home. Zimbabwe immigrants rebate

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has strongly criticised opposition legislators who voted alongside ZANU-PF to pass Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 in the National Assembly, describing their actions as a betrayal of citizens who have endured years of political persecution and hardship. The controversial Bill sailed through the National Assembly on Thursday after securing 216 votes, comfortably exceeding the two-thirds majority threshold of 187 required for constitutional amendments. While 42 CCC lawmakers voted against the proposed changes, 35 opposition MPs supported the legislation together with ZANU-PF legislators. The Bill now heads to the Senate, where its passage is widely expected given ZANU-PF's commanding majority, bolstered by traditional leaders and other aligned representatives who generally support the ruling party's legislative agenda. Reacting to the vote on Friday, Chamisa accused opposition lawmakers who supported the Bill of abandoning the struggles and sacrifices made by many Zimbabweans in the pursuit of democratic change. He said countless citizens had suffered political violence, arrests, abductions, discrimination, and economic exclusion over the years, making it difficult to understand why some opposition representatives would choose to align themselves with those they have long accused of perpetuating such injustices. "We do not merely bear the scars of politics; we carry deep wounds. We have been severely bruised, abused, and broken by this oppressive system of tyranny," Chamisa said. He reflected on the sacrifices made by opposition supporters, saying many families continue to live with the pain of losing loved ones to politically motivated violence, while others remain haunted by unresolved cases of abductions and disappearances. "Many of our friends and relatives lost their lives because of politics, and the pain remains as profound today as it was then," he said. "Some have been abducted and disappeared without a trace. Others have been forced to sleep in unimaginable places, including the mountains, simply to survive." Chamisa also highlighted what he described as years of persecution faced by opposition activists and leaders, including arrests, harassment, assassination attempts, and exclusion from opportunities and state resources. According to Chamisa, some lawmakers had chosen personal gain over the interests of the citizens who elected them. "And after all this, some choose to align themselves with and support the very oppressors and persecutors responsible for our suffering, all for money, personal benefits, and the desire to illegally remain in this illegitimate parliament," he said. Despite his criticism, Chamisa expressed confidence that ordinary Zimbabweans would ultimately determine the country's future. "The citizens are the ultimate parliament and shall determine the direction of our great country," he said. In a final warning directed at both the ruling party and opposition politicians who supported the Bill, Chamisa declared: "To you, oppressors and your sidekicks, stop it or be stopped. Change can't be delayed or denied any longer." The passage of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 has intensified divisions within the opposition while reigniting debate over the proposed constitutional changes, which critics argue could significantly reshape Zimbabwe's governance framework. Supporters of the Bill, however, maintain that the amendments are necessary to improve governance and strengthen public institutions. Nelson Chamisa Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3

Zimbabwe’s education authorities are considering new measures to regulate vehicles transporting learners following a series of fatal road accidents that have raised concerns about roadworthiness, overloading, and child safety. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education says it is developing a policy framework that would introduce greater oversight of transport operators responsible for ferrying schoolchildren. Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said the initiative will be undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. “The Ministry is concerned by the continued loss of life of learners on school transport routes and we believe this is worsened by the condition of vehicles plying these routes or negligent driving,” Ndoro said. He noted that recent tragedies have highlighted the need for stronger safeguards to protect learners. “The urgency of the matter has been underlined by the Gweru disaster, where the President declared the incident a national disaster,” he said. Although the proposal has not yet been adopted as official policy, authorities say the intention is to ensure that only suitable vehicles and properly qualified drivers are entrusted with transporting schoolchildren. “So, this is not yet policy, but what we are saying is that learners should be ferried by vehicles suitable to carry learners and the drivers should be licensed to drive learners, not a haphazard scenario,” Ndoro added. The move comes amid growing public concern over the safety of learner transport across the country. Recent accidents involving schoolchildren have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of vehicle fitness standards, driver competence requirements, and passenger safety regulations. The debate has been fuelled by several recent tragedies, including a fatal accident in Gweru that prompted a national response, as well as another deadly incident in Chiredzi earlier this week in which children travelling to school were among those killed. If implemented, the proposed framework could introduce minimum standards for school transport operators, vehicle inspections, licensing requirements, and monitoring systems aimed at reducing risks faced by learners on their daily journeys to and from school. Education and transport authorities are expected to consult stakeholders before finalising any new regulations. Zimbabwe school transport regulations

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport has formally denied that any company linked to controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo played a role in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion project. The statement pushes back against explosive media reports placing the politically connected tycoon at the center of East Africa's largest infrastructure deal. Addressing the media on June 18, Transport CS Davis Chirchir stated that the firm tied to Chivayo was completely absent from the procurement pipeline. "The said company is not among the contractors that submitted bids for the JKIA contract," Chirchir clarified, emphasizing that the multi-billion-shilling evaluation adhered strictly to statutory public procurement laws. The Kenyan government’s damage-control briefing follows investigative reporting by ZimLive, later corroborated by Kenya's The Standard. Outlets reported that Chivayo’s firm, IMC Construction Kenya, had entered the project as a joint venture partner alongside China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and its subsidiary, China Road and Bridge Corporation, the state-backed Chinese giants awarded the massive JKIA upgrade. The leaked transaction details sparked intense public outrage in Kenya due to Chivayo's high-profile proximity to Kenyan President William Ruto. The 45-year-old Zimbabwean businessman has made multiple visits to Kenya’s State House, openly calling Ruto a "father figure". Records show Chivayo was even granted a Kenyan passport in February 2026, and as recently as June 1, 2026, he visited Wajir State Lodge to discuss multimillion-dollar investments directly with the presidency. JKIA PROJECTED ANNUAL PASSENGER CAPACITY: [Existing Terminal Capacity] 7.5M ──► 12M Passengers [New Terminal Capacity] +10M Passengers [Total Target Capacity] 22M Passengers per year The expansion contract has faced extreme scrutiny after Kenya cancelled a previous 2024 award to India’s Adani Group following public protests and a U.S. corruption probe into the Indian conglomerate. Hoping to restore investor confidence, Chirchir clarified that while the original deal was valued much higher, the government expects the final award to top out at KSh154.2 billion ($1.19 billion). The sweeping upgrade will expand JKIA's capacity to 22 million passengers annually. Chirchir defended the unit costs, stating they sit 20 percent below comparable international facilities. However, regional political analysts remain skeptical that a ministerial briefing will silence critics. While Chirchir confirmed Chivayo's firm did not submit a formal bid, the ministry did not explicitly deny whether IMC Construction Kenya holds secondary, informal joint-venture stakes with the Chinese contractors. Given Chivayo's history, including a 2018 corruption court battle over a $5.6 million advance for the Gwanda solar project in Zimbabwe, where he was ultimately acquitted in 2023, his sudden presence in Kenyan state infrastructure continues to raise red flags across Southern and East Africa. Wicknell Chivayo business