Zimbabwe will conduct three by-elections on Saturday for local council seats in Chimanimani, Gutu, and Mangwe districts, with more than 6,300 registered voters expected to cast ballots. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission printed 6,700 ballots to prevent shortages, deputy chairperson Rodney Kiwa said on Friday. The contests feature six candidates competing for wards left vacant after sitting councilors died.
ZANU-PF candidates will face opposition challengers in each race. Janet Chitendeva from the NCA opposes Chipo Hlerema in Chimanimani Ward 21, while independent candidates Farai Manguvo and Tshaka Moyo challenge ZANU PF representatives in Gutu Ward 4 and Mangwe Ward 12. Chimanimani has 2,909 registered voters, Gutu has 2,121, and...
Zimbabwe raised concerns about illegal gambling operations at an international regulatory conference in Canada. Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe told member states that unlicensed operators and offshore markets threaten government revenue and enable money laundering. The International Association of Gaming Regulators conference brought together officials from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas to discuss oversight standards.
African regulators are adopting data monitoring and preventive governance measures to address the rapid growth of digital gambling across the continent. Zimbabwe's Lotteries and Gaming Board is modernizing compliance systems to balance entertainment with citizen protection. The ministry plans to use digital...
President Mnangagwa awarded degrees to 3,477 students at Great Zimbabwe University's graduation ceremony on Friday. Women comprised 61 percent of graduates while 187 students came from five African nations and 11 had disabilities. The university awarded 7 doctoral degrees and conferred 56 students with vice chancellor prizes.
Vice Chancellor Rungano Zvobgo said the institution operates under Education 5.0 principles that emphasize teaching, research and industrial applications. A grain processing plant at the Innovation Centre for Drylands Agriculture reached 90 percent completion. The school plans to launch 63 new programs with more than half focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
The university raised...
Zimbabwe secured over $1 billion for housing projects under its first national development plan, far exceeding the $233.75 million target set by authorities. Housing Minister Zhemu Soda said on Friday that the achievement shows growing investor confidence in the nation's property and infrastructure sectors. The government delivered more than 800,000 residential units after the Cabinet raised the original goal of 220,000 homes to one million.
The country holds Class A shares in Shelter Afrique Development Bank and has accessed $85 million from the institution since 2010. Officials applied to increase their stake from 1.25 percent to 5 percent through an $8.8 million facility from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. Private...
Harare City Council began fitting prepaid water meters at 50 apartment buildings on Friday through contractor Halcraw Electrical. The installations started in the central business district at Birdcage Walk Flats and Calder Gardens as the first phase of a citywide program. Managing director Brendon Jere said the new system will cut waste and guarantee residents pay only for actual consumption.
The capital loses 60 percent of the treated water before it reaches customers, costing more than $3 million each month. Leaks, broken meters, and theft drain municipal finances and force people to find unsafe water sources. Workers will repair burst pipes and upgrade the Morton Jaffray treatment plant to boost capacity.
Property owner Elias...
Great Zimbabwe University awarded Vice President Kembo Mohadi an honorary doctorate in social sciences leadership on Friday at its 19th graduation ceremony, where 3,447 students received degrees. President Mnangagwa attended the event as the chancellor of state universities. The recognition honors Mohadi's participation in the independence movement and decades of government work since 1980.
Mohadi said the degree celebrates all citizens who strengthen communities through dedication and creativity. He thanked the president for approving the university council's decision to grant the distinction. The vice president told graduates that social progress depends on strong relationships and fair institutions rather than just economic growth...
Parents in Marange have kept 460 students home from Mabvengwa Primary School for five days to protest a headmaster accused of practicing witchcraft at two previous schools. The education official, identified as Mrs Gowora, faced similar rejections from families at Nyamauru Primary and Zamba Primary before authorities transferred her to the rural institution. Classrooms sat empty while teachers waited at their desks and community leaders met under a tree to address the crisis.
Provincial Education Director Richard Gabaza defended the appointment and said constitutional law prohibits accusing people of supernatural harm. Parents said they would send their children to a school five kilometers away rather than accept the administrator. The...
Zimbabwe's vice president wants officials and business partners to strengthen training programs for fruit and vegetable producers to boost their economic output. Constantino Chiwenga visited agricultural operations in Beitbridge on Thursday that featured a $30 million citrus facility at Bishopstone Estate, Nottingham Estate and Palm River Special Economic Zone.
Chiwenga said citrus farming has shifted to Beitbridge as more growers enter the sector. The region needs better water systems to expand operations, though Nottingham Estate built a reservoir and plans to grow from 950 hectares to 1,500 hectares of crops.
Orange Ville invested $30 million in equipment and 700 hectares of orchards with plans to reach 3,000 hectares by 2030. The...
Zimbabwe plans to raise pay for government media workers as part of efforts to strengthen their employment terms, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere announced on Friday night at the National Journalism and Media Awards in Harare. The official said authorities recognize journalists as essential to national progress and democratic processes. He invited private-sector outlets to report compensation issues so officials can explore solutions.
Muswere praised reporters for uncovering wrongdoing and documenting development achievements that advance the Vision 2030 economic goals. The government has passed legislation supporting press freedom and data privacy to promote transparency. He urged media professionals to pursue reporting that...
