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The Jeere
/ 2026-05-20
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stories
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Constitutional Court Reviews Amendment Bill Three
The judiciary hears a legal challenge against proposed constitutional changes this Wednesday.
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Today’s lead
“Constitutional Court Weighs Amendment Bill Three”
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In this edition
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1.
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Constitutional Court Weighs Amendment Bill Three
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2.
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Jindal Secures Hwange Power Station Refurbishment Deal
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3.
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AfDB Grants Four Million Dollars For Debt Clearance
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4.
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Two Thousand Pedestrians Struck In Hit-And-Run Incidents
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5.
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Chief Justice Gwaunza Rejects Judicial Capture Allegations
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6.
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Parliament Classifies Ziscosteel As Dead Asset
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7.
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Government Bans Illegal State Land Sales By Village Heads
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8.
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Authorities Seize Eighty Million ZiG In Drug Crackdown
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9.
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Cholera Outbreak Confirmed In Zvishavane District
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10.
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Bikita Minerals Resumes Lithium Concentrate Exports
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Lead Story
Constitutional Court Weighs Amendment Bill Three
The judiciary hears a landmark legal challenge against proposed constitutional changes this Wednesday.
The Constitutional Court hears a high-stakes legal challenge against Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 this Wednesday. This follows a 90-day public consultation period that saw Parliament receive over 300,000 submissions. President Mnangagwa maintains that the hearings proceeded smoothly, but his account faces pushback from reports of violence and procedural irregularities. Church leaders remain divided, with some groups opposing the bill to protect democratic principles while others offer full endorsement.
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So what?
The Constitutional Court will hear a challenge against the bill on May 20, 2026, following 300,000 public submissions.
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Story 2
Jindal Secures Hwange Power Station Refurbishment Deal
An Indian firm will manage units 1 to 6 under a 15-year agreement.
Jindal, an India-based company, has signed a 455 million dollar deal to refurbish units 1 through 6 at the Hwange Power Station. The agreement follows a 15-year Rehabilitate, Operate, and Transfer model aimed at stabilizing the country's aging energy infrastructure. This investment is designed to boost electricity generation capacity and improve the reliability of power supply for industrial and domestic use. The project marks a significant shift in how Zimbabwe manages its critical energy assets, moving toward international private-sector partnerships to address chronic power shortages. By focusing on the rehabilitation of existing units, the government intends to restore operational efficiency without the immediate need for new greenfield construction. The deal is expected to play a central role in the broader recovery of the manufacturing sector, which has been severely hampered by frequent load shedding and energy instability.
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So what?
Jindal will invest 455 million dollars to refurbish Hwange Power Station units 1-6 over 15 years.
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Story 3
AfDB Grants Four Million Dollars For Debt Clearance
The funding supports the Zimbabwe Arrears Clearance Dialogue Enhancement Project.
The African Development Bank Group has approved a 4 million dollar grant to assist Zimbabwe in clearing its long-standing debt arrears. This funding is specifically allocated to the Zimbabwe Arrears Clearance Dialogue Enhancement Project, which aims to strengthen the country's re-engagement efforts with international financial institutions. By facilitating structured dialogue and necessary economic reforms, the project seeks to improve Zimbabwe's creditworthiness and unlock access to external financing. The burden of arrears has historically limited public investment and constrained the government's ability to secure development capital. This grant provides the institutional framework required to advance the arrears clearance process, serving as a critical step toward macroeconomic stability. While the capital amount is modest, the initiative is viewed as a vital component of the national strategy to normalize relations with global creditors and attract future foreign investment.
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So what?
The AfDB approved a 4 million dollar grant to support Zimbabwe's debt arrears clearance dialogue.
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Story 4
Two Thousand Pedestrians Struck In Hit-And-Run Incidents
Police report a surge in road safety incidents over three months.
Zimbabwe is grappling with a severe road safety crisis after police data revealed that over 2,000 pedestrians were killed or injured in hit-and-run accidents during the first quarter of 2026. The Zimbabwe Republic Police report that many motorists are fleeing the scene after striking pedestrians, including school children. This trend has sparked urgent calls for stricter traffic enforcement and improved safety measures on public roads. Police are currently tracking and prosecuting offenders who abandon accident sites.
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So what?
Over 2,000 pedestrians were killed or injured in hit-and-run accidents in the first three months of 2026.
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Story 5
Chief Justice Gwaunza Rejects Judicial Capture Allegations
The newly sworn-in official denies external influence over the courts.
Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has publicly dismissed claims that the Zimbabwean judiciary is subject to external capture. Her statement follows her recent swearing-in ceremony conducted by President Mnangagwa. Gwaunza emphasized the independence of the bench, addressing concerns that have persisted regarding the influence of political interests on legal outcomes. The judiciary has faced ongoing scrutiny, and her rejection of these allegations serves as a formal response to critics who argue that the courts are not fully autonomous.
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So what?
Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza dismissed claims of judicial capture following her recent appointment.
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Story 6
Parliament Classifies Ziscosteel As Dead Asset
Legislators acknowledge the collapse of the former steel giant.
Parliament has officially declared Ziscosteel a dead asset, marking a definitive end to hopes for the immediate revival of the once-prominent steel manufacturer. This formal admission highlights the structural challenges and industrial decline facing the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. Ziscosteel, which was once a cornerstone of the national economy, has struggled with years of mismanagement and lack of investment. By labeling the entity a dead asset, the government acknowledges that the facility is no longer viable in its current state.
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So what?
Parliament officially declared Ziscosteel a dead asset, signaling the end of its industrial viability.
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Story 7
Government Bans Illegal State Land Sales By Village Heads
Authorities warn against unauthorized land allocations in communal areas.
The government has launched a crackdown on illegal land allocations, explicitly warning that no village head or official has the authority to sell state land. This directive targets the growing number of controversial land deals occurring in communal and peri-urban areas. Officials state that these unauthorized transactions, often referred to as sabhuku deals, are illegal and undermine land tenure security. The Ministry of Local Government has declared war on land barons and village heads who facilitate these sales, signaling a potential shift toward stricter enforcement of land laws. The move is intended to curb corruption and protect state-owned land from being sold off without proper legal authorization. Authorities are now monitoring these areas to prevent further illegal activity and ensure that land distribution follows established national regulations.
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So what?
The government banned village heads from selling state land, targeting illegal land allocation deals.
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Story 8
Authorities Seize Eighty Million ZiG In Drug Crackdown
Nearly 400 convictions recorded as police dismantle supplier networks.
Zimbabwe’s ongoing crackdown on drug and substance abuse has resulted in the seizure of illicit substances valued at 80 million ZiG. According to the government, 381 individuals have been convicted, while nearly 3,000 suspects have appeared in court. Authorities have successfully dismantled over 400 drug supplier networks and arrested more than 2,400 end-users. Information Minister Soda Zhemu confirmed these figures during a post-Cabinet briefing, highlighting the government's sustained effort to address the national drug crisis. The operation is part of a broader strategy to combat the rising prevalence of substance abuse, which has become a major public health and social concern. Police continue to target distribution networks to reduce the availability of illegal drugs, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance to maintain social stability and protect public health.
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So what?
Authorities seized 80 million ZiG worth of drugs and secured 381 convictions in a national crackdown.
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Story 9
Cholera Outbreak Confirmed In Zvishavane District
Water shortages fuel health concerns as two cases are verified.
Health officials have confirmed two cases of cholera in Zvishavane, Midlands province. The infections were verified by the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory following reports of severe water shortages in the district. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued a memo ordering local facilities to ensure adequate stocks of critical medicines and emergency supplies to manage the situation. Authorities are now working to contain the spread of the disease, which remains a recurring public health threat in Zimbabwe.
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So what?
Two cholera cases were confirmed in Zvishavane, prompting health authorities to increase emergency supplies.
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Story 10
Bikita Minerals Resumes Lithium Concentrate Exports
Mining operations restart following the resolution of regulatory hurdles.
Bikita Minerals has resumed the export of lithium concentrate after a brief suspension. The resumption of exports is a positive development for Zimbabwe, as global demand for lithium continues to rise. Lithium has become a vital export commodity for the country, contributing significantly to foreign currency earnings. The brief suspension was reportedly linked to regulatory hurdles that have now been resolved, allowing the company to continue its operations.
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So what?
Bikita Minerals resumed lithium concentrate exports after resolving regulatory issues.
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The Jeere
2026-05-20 · stories
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