ZEC loses voter roll control

President Mnangagwa shifts voter roll management from ZEC to the Civil Registry Department.

Mnangagwa shifts voter roll to Registrar

Mnangagwa transfers voter registration to Civil Registry Department.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's latest electoral overhaul has removed voters roll management from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The shift follows the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Act 3 (CAA3), transferring registration duties to the Civil Registry Department. The move aims to preserve the skills and institutional knowledge of 93 ZEC employees. Opposition parties argue the move concentrates electoral power in an executive-aligned registry rather than an independent commission. The centralization erodes the traditional watchdog role over voter data.

Mnangagwa's daughter-in-law in US$9.35m laundering case

Kelsea Tafirenyika remanded on two money laundering charges.

A Harare magistrate remanded Kelsea Tadiwa Tafirenyika, President Mnangagwa's daughter-in-law, on Friday on charges of laundering US$9.35 million. Authorities allege the funds originated from drug dealing and financed properties and luxury vehicles. Tafirenyika, married to Mnangagwa's son Collins, faces two counts of money laundering and one of possessing a forged document. Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka remanded her in custody pending further investigation. The case ties presidential family assets to alleged narcotics profits, challenging government anti-drug rhetoric.

Bulawayo deputy mayor arrested for US$52k extortion

Bulawayo deputy mayor arrested over US$52,000 hotel lease bribe demand.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu and two city councillors appeared in court on Friday over an extortion charge. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) alleges the trio demanded US$52,000 from a businessman for a hotel lease on city property. Prosecutors say the councillors sought payment for a 50-year lease on a hotel development. Ndlovu, along with Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and former Ward 22 Councillor Rodney Jele, face corruption charges. Local business confidence hinges on whether such high-profile arrests translate into prosecutions and convictions.

Zanu PF women push party rules change for Mnangagwa term

Zanu PF Women's League moves to align party rules with CAA3 term extension.

Zanu PF Women's League proposed amending the party's constitution to align leadership terms with Constitutional Amendment Act 3. The proposal ensures President Mnangagwa can remain as party first secretary beyond 2028. CAA3 extended presidential term limits, allowing Mnangagwa to stay until 2030. Internal party rules previously required leadership elections before the 2028 general poll. The amendment solidifies Mnangagwa's control over the party leadership.

BEAM arrears climb to US$292 million

Government warns schools not to expel students while US$292 million BEAM debt remains.

Government arrears under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) have risen to US$292.49 million. The Treasury issued a fresh warning to schools not to expel students whose fees the scheme covers. Parliament heard the debt on 21 August as schools increasingly demand payment upfront. Officials said they are processing disbursements but did not provide a timeline for clearing the arrears. The widening debt threatens access to education for thousands of vulnerable children.

RBZ keeps policy unchanged as inflation holds at 4.2%

RBZ says no policy shift as inflation remains at 4.2 percent.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) confirmed on Friday it will maintain its current monetary policy stance with inflation steady at 4.2 percent. The central bank said no rate adjustments or policy shifts are imminent. Analysts note that the stable inflation figure masks continued pressures from parallel market premiums and dollarization. The RBZ's decision suggests confidence in its tight money measures, though businesses report difficulty accessing foreign currency. The stable inflation rate conceals underlying economic pressures from the parallel market.

Ramaphosa calls on Zimbabwe to fix trade gap

Ramaphosa urges Zimbabwe to boost exports as trade imbalance persists.

President Cyril Ramaphosa told the SA-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission on Friday that trade between the two neighbors has nearly doubled in four years but remains unbalanced. South Africa exports far more to Zimbabwe than it imports, Ramaphosa said. The President urged Zimbabwe to boost its exports to South Africa, pointing to untapped potential in agriculture and manufacturing. The fourth session of the commission in Pretoria focused on economic cooperation and infrastructure investment. The imbalance underscores Zimbabwe's struggle to diversify its export base.

Muchinguri faces jail over unpaid US$25,000 compensation

Defence minister faces jail after failing to pay US$25,000 court-ordered compensation.

Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri faces a possible six-month jail sentence after failing to pay US$25,000 court-ordered compensation. The plaintiff, shot by a soldier during an incident in 2019, has filed a contempt application. The court ordered compensation for the shooting. Muchinguri's office did not respond to the court's deadline for payment. The minister's failure to comply with a court order threatens legal consequences.

CAF clears National Sports Stadium after five-year ban

CAF grants Category 3 approval to National Sports Stadium after five-year ban.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted Zimbabwe's National Sports Stadium Category 3 certification on Friday, ending a five-year ban on hosting international matches. The Ministry of Sport confirmed that the Harare venue now meets CAF standards. The stadium had been barred since 2021 due to poor facilities, forcing the Warriors to play home games in South Africa. The approval clears the way for World Cup qualifiers and AFCON matches to return to Zimbabwe. The certification allows Zimbabwe to host international football matches for the first time in five years.

South Africa and Zimbabwe sign prisoner transfer deal

South Africa and Zimbabwe sign MoU to transfer prisoners between the two countries.

South Africa and Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday allowing sentenced prisoners to serve out their terms in their home countries. The agreement was finalized at the fourth session of the Bi-National Commission in Pretoria. The deal aims to ease overcrowding in both countries' prisons and facilitate the reintegration of foreign nationals. Each transfer will require case-by-case approval from both justice ministries. The prisoner transfer agreement is expected to ease prison overcrowding in both countries.

The Jeere 2026-08-24  ·  stories

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