By A Correspondent

MASVINGO – Long-serving Zanu PF councillor Phillip Dunira Hungwe, a political stalwart from Vuranda, Ward 1 in Chivi District, has died. He passed away in Harare, where he had been hospitalized for some time.

Confirming the news, Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial leadership said Hungwe’s death is a great loss to both the party and the Chivi community.

“He was admitted in Harare for some time and unfortunately, his condition was not pleasing. We have lost a dedicated cadre who served the party and the people with unwavering commitment,” said a senior party official in the province.

Hungwe was widely respected for his long-standing service, having been one of the longest-serving councillors in the country, and a constant figure in local governance throughout the post-independence era.

Details regarding funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

By A Correspondent

BULAWAYO – The growing political clout of Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a controversial businessman, and Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of ICT and leader of Young Women 4ED, is reportedly causing anxiety among Zanu PF heavyweights amid deepening divisions over the party’s succession dynamics.

On Thursday, Mavetera proudly announced that Young Women 4ED had hosted the 2nd Edition of the Leadership Success Series in Bulawayo, focusing on the theme “Land Tenure – Unlocking the Potential of Young People.”

“Our guest of honour Mr. Kuda Tagwirei reaffirmed his support for our President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s vision on the Land Tenure program,” Mavetera said. “He also gave a lot of insights on sustainable land reform as the Chairperson of the Land Implementation Committee.”

Mavetera herself used the platform to push the government’s digital transformation agenda.

“As Minister of ICTPCS I emphasized our government’s commitment to digitizing our land systems—a critical step towards a Digitalized Zimbabwe by 2030,” she added. “This aligns with Young Women 4ED’s mission to ensure women lead Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation. Let us build an equitable, tech-forward future.”

While the event showcased youthful energy and loyalty to President Mnangagwa, insiders say the growing visibility and influence of Tagwirei and Mavetera has sparked concern within senior Zanu PF circles.

Tagwirei, long viewed as a key financier and behind-the-scenes power broker, is reportedly playing an increasing role in state policy and strategic decision-making. His chairmanship of the Land Implementation Committee has only deepened fears that he is becoming a kingmaker in the party’s post-Mugabe era.

Mavetera’s rapid rise within government and her grassroots mobilization of young women through the 4ED structure have also been interpreted as signs of her positioning in Zanu PF’s murky succession politics.

Party hardliners, some of whom still harbour presidential ambitions, are said to be “losing sleep” over the duo’s growing influence—particularly as speculation mounts that President Mnangagwa is keen to extend his stay in power beyond 2028, potentially sidelining long-time allies.

By A Correspondent| Exiled former ZANU PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has launched a blistering attack on controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, dismissing him as a “fraudster” who is manipulating the ruling party for personal gain and accusing senior party officials of selling out the legacy of the liberation struggle.

Responding to recent remarks in which Tagwirei reportedly labelled him “very corrupt”, Kasukuwere struck back with venom, painting a picture of a party captured by opportunists and rent-seekers. He accused Tagwirei of buying influence within ZANU PF and ridiculed the party’s current trajectory under the stewardship of individuals he says are more loyal to wealth than ideology.

“A good fraudster is not necessarily a good politician,” Kasukuwere charged in a statement widely shared online. “Trying to turn a thief into a leader is the ultimate betrayal of the revolutionary party by a reactionary leader.”

Kasukuwere, who has remained vocal from exile since the 2017 military-assisted ouster of long-time leader Robert Mugabe, did not mince his words in lambasting the party’s current leadership. He appeared to take a veiled swipe at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inner circle, particularly the current ZANU PF National Political Commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, for allegedly bowing to the whims of Tagwirei.

“How does a whole NPC Machacha subordinate himself to a crook? Hurombo huroyi!” he exclaimed, a Shona phrase suggesting that poverty can lead to witchcraft-like behaviour.

Kasukuwere further alleged that Tagwirei is actively spreading rumours within the party ranks that President Mnangagwa is unwell and has already anointed a successor — presumed to be Tagwirei himself.

“He has paid people and is telling them that ED is sick and he has been anointed. ED must come out and explain to the party and nation if indeed he is no longer fit to lead,” Kasukuwere said, demanding clarity from the ZANU PF leader.

The former minister also mocked the rise of Tagwirei within the party structures, likening it to a frog that stumbles into the Central Committee and believes leaping can get it anything.

“When a frog wakes up in ZANU(PF) Central Committee, it thinks all other positions are acquired by leaping!” he quipped.

Kasukuwere’s remarks add fuel to growing speculation over ZANU PF’s internal succession battles and the influence of business moguls like Tagwirei within its ranks. Critics have long accused Tagwirei of capturing key state institutions and profiting from opaque deals — claims he has consistently denied.

In recent weeks, Tagwirei has also been forced to respond to allegations of harbouring presidential ambitions, insisting publicly that “there is no vacancy in the Office of the President” and calling such speculation “foolish talk.”

But Kasukuwere’s scathing statements appear designed to ignite fresh debate over the moral direction of ZANU PF and whether those currently steering the ship are acting in the spirit of the liberation movement — or for private enrichment.

“The game has begun and that rimming mouth will not be opened again,” Kasukuwere warned cryptically, hinting that more revelations and confrontations may lie ahead.

Stallion Bus Crashes After Collision with Nhoro Along Zvishavane Route

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Zvishavane – A Stallion night bus travelling along the Zvishavane route suffered significant frontal damage after it reportedly struck a nhoro (eland), causing panic among passengers but no immediate fatalities.

Eyewitnesses say the accident occurred in the early hours of the morning when the large antelope suddenly ran across the road. “Stallion yarova nhoro kupinda muBus Zvishavane night bus,” wrote one witness who was on the scene shortly after the crash.

Images from the crash site show the bus with a completely shattered windscreen, and heavy impact marks to the front grill and bumper. The collision appears to have caused the front guard rails to bend inward, a sign of the force of the impact.

The nhoro reportedly entered through the shattered windscreen, injuring at least one crew member seated in the front. The condition of the animal was not immediately confirmed, but sources suggest it may have died on impact.

Passengers who were on board expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal, with some alleging the driver was speeding on a poorly lit section of the road. The bus, registered under number plate ADB 3623, was en route to Bulawayo at the time of the incident.

This incident adds to the growing list of wildlife-related road accidents in the Midlands province, particularly during night travel.

More to follow.

By A Correspondent — Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has renewed his attack on corrupt business elites aligned to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, warning that their days of impunity are numbered.

Addressing the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual congress in Victoria Falls on Thursday, Chiwenga delivered a scathing critique of “phantom entrepreneurs” and “tenderpreneurs”—a term commonly used to describe politically connected businesspeople who win lucrative state contracts without public tender processes.

Chiwenga’s remarks, while not naming names, are widely interpreted as a direct challenge to the so-called Zvigananda—a shadowy network of Mnangagwa allies, bootlickers, and relatives notorious for amassing wealth through opaque deals, rigged tenders, and state capture.

“The day of reckoning is inevitable for those who undermine our economic integrity by engaging in shadowy dealings,” Chiwenga said. “This culture of phantom entrepreneurship, where money appears without any known source, is not only economically corrosive but ethically bankrupt. We all know that money does not fall from the heavens like manna.”

The term Zvigananda, now a derogatory label in political and business circles, is used to describe Mnangagwa’s inner circle of tender-linked elites—often men with no traceable business operations but seen flaunting luxury lifestyles funded by public resources. These individuals are frequently awarded government tenders in infrastructure, energy, and mining—often without going through due process.

Critics say the Zvigananda group has entrenched a system of state-sanctioned corruption, where political loyalty to Mnangagwa is rewarded with access to taxpayer-funded contracts. Several of them have reportedly been involved in road construction projects, agriculture inputs schemes, and gold smuggling operations, all shielded from scrutiny by their proximity to the presidency.

Chiwenga has previously hinted at a looming political clash with the group. In January this year, he referred to them as “individuals of questionable morals… growing big bellies and splashing ill-gotten wealth.” In April, he warned that the country’s liberation struggle was not meant to benefit “the connected elite.”

At the ZNCC summit, Chiwenga urged the business community to uphold ethical standards and transparency, warning against rent-seeking and politically-backed malfeasance.

“Real businesses are built through hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and value creation,” he said. “We must shun unscrupulous so-called businesspeople operating from briefcases with no traceable capital or legitimate enterprise.”

The congress, held under the theme “Unlocking Business Potential Through Policy, Partnerships and Productivity,”brought together senior government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to chart a sustainable path for economic growth.

Chiwenga’s sharp tone comes amid growing public anger over corruption and impunity, which has deepened Zimbabwe’s economic woes. According to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Zimbabwe scored just 21 out of 100—its worst performance in nearly a decade. This places the country well below both the Sub-Saharan Africa average (33) and the global average (43), underscoring systemic failures in transparency and accountability.

The Vice President’s statement may signal an intensifying power struggle within the ruling Zanu PF, as factions jostle for control ahead of the party’s next congress. As Chiwenga continues to position himself as a reformist and anti-corruption crusader, his attacks on Mnangagwa’s allies could reshape the internal dynamics of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.

By A Correspondent

HARARE – Several people were injured in a serious head-on collision between a ZUPCO bus and a lorry along Simon Mazorodze Road in Harare on Friday morning, according to reports by State media.

The accident occurred during peak hours, causing traffic delays and prompting an emergency response from police and paramedics.

Details around the exact number of injuries remain unclear, but witnesses described the scene as “horrific,” with passengers from both vehicles requiring urgent medical attention.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the crash or the condition of the injured. Investigations are ongoing.

By Business Reporter-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has unveiled yet another controversial infrastructure project — the construction of two new traffic interchanges along the 31.2km Christmas Pass Bypass Road in Mutare — amid growing concern that such high-value tenders are being abused to benefit politically connected elites.

The interchanges, likened to the recently constructed and widely questioned Mbudzi (Trabablas) Interchange in Harare, are being developed at both ends of the bypass, with preliminary works already underway. The contractor, Leengate Private Limited, a company reportedly linked to Mnangagwa’s inner circle — often referred to as Zvigananda — has been handed the US$99 million project without an open tender process.

The project, expected to last 15 months, is being justified on the basis of improving road safety. The Christmas Pass stretch has long been a notorious accident hotspot, particularly for haulage trucks using the Beira Corridor. Government officials claim the bypass and interchanges will reduce fatalities and congestion in Mutare’s CBD.

But questions are being raised over the opacity of the deal, the cost, and the capacity of Leengate — a relatively unknown player — to deliver such a complex project. Critics say this is yet another example of how Mnangagwa’s government is awarding massive state contracts to politically loyal businesses with little public accountability.

The bypass road, first proposed in 1992, is finally being constructed under Mnangagwa’s infrastructure drive, which has repeatedly been accused of serving as a cover for looting. Similar concerns were raised around the Mbudzi Interchange, where costs ballooned amid allegations of inflated invoices and kickbacks.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona confirmed construction began last Thursday, adding that the project includes “two major interchanges and several bridges.” The interchanges will be situated at the Romeo Turn-off and near Mutare Teachers’ College, linking the new route with the Mutare–Chimanimani Highway.

Leengate director Commence Chivanga remained tight-lipped about project details, only stating that equipment mobilisation was ongoing. Provincial roads engineer Raphael Sigauke also confirmed site clearance had begun, with 4kmof the corridor earmarked for early development.

Despite the lack of transparency, officials continue to praise the initiative. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, hailed the project as a testament to the “Second Republic’s” developmental vision — ignoring mounting criticism that such projects are riddled with patronage and corruption.

“This is yet another milestone under the leadership of our visionary President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa,” Mugadza said. “The bypass will finally end the nightmare caused by Christmas Pass accidents.”

The project also includes the rehabilitation of Sakubva (Murahwa) People’s Green Market Bridge and was cleared through an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) conducted by ELWAS (Pvt) Ltd, a local consultancy — itself reportedly connected to Mnangagwa’s associates.

Analysts warn that while Zimbabwe desperately needs infrastructure renewal, these projects must be managed transparently, competitively, and in the public interest — not turned into billion-dollar feeding troughs for the ruling elite under the guise of national development.

By A Correspondent

The Zimbabwean government has publicly acknowledged the long-standing mismanagement and failure of the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), admitting that the institution has failed to fulfill its mandate of protecting pensioners’ welfare and growing the national economy.

Announcing a new NSSA board in Harare on Wednesday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo did not mince his words, calling for sweeping reforms and a complete overhaul of how the authority operates. His remarks signal a rare public admission that NSSA has been largely ineffective, marred by years of poor governance and questionable investments.

“For years, NSSA has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to pensioners. The situation is unacceptable,” said Minister Moyo. “The new board must take decisive action to end a legacy of looting, mismanagement, and ineffective oversight. We owe it to our pensioners to fix this broken system.”

The newly appointed board is chaired by Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube, who replaces Emmanuel Fundira. Charles Shava has also been confirmed as the substantive Managing Director of NSSA. Both men were tasked with leading urgent reforms to restore public trust and financial credibility.

“The Chairperson must lead with boldness and integrity,” Moyo said. “We expect nothing less than a complete turnaround that positions NSSA as a pillar of national development—not a liability.”

The minister acknowledged widespread discontent among pensioners, many of whom have decried the paltry monthly payouts and lack of transparency over how billions in pension funds and assets are managed. “There’s no denying the pain and anger felt by pensioners. They contributed for years, only to receive peanuts,” said Moyo.

Sources close to the ministry say NSSA’s portfolio has been plagued by politically driven investments, inflated procurement deals, and failure to generate returns on major property and equity holdings. While investigations into past corruption cases have been launched, few have led to convictions or restitution.

Moyo urged the new leadership to focus on “cleaning house,” restructuring the fund’s investment strategy, and prioritizing pensioners’ needs. “The mandate is clear: put pensioners first, restore NSSA’s credibility, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” he concluded.

This public admission from the government marks a shift in tone and raises expectations that NSSA—long seen as a cash cow for elites—may finally face the scrutiny and reform demanded by the public.

By A Correspondent

A Fort Rixon man from Matabeleland South has been arrested after allegedly murdering his two-year-old son in a violent outburst over a paternity dispute, leaving the local community reeling in horror.

According to police, the suspect, Israel Chisongo, engaged in a heated confrontation with his wife, Martha Moyo, during which he accused her of infidelity and denied being the biological father of the child.

What began as a domestic argument quickly turned into a brutal act of violence. Authorities allege that Chisongo forcefully seized the child from Moyo’s arms, placed him on the ground, and proceeded to stab and dismember the toddler, reportedly cutting through the infant’s stomach.

The gruesome nature of the crime has sent shockwaves through the Fort Rixon area, with villagers expressing disbelief and outrage at the brutality inflicted on the innocent child.

“The suspect is in police custody, and investigations are underway,” said Matabeleland South Police Spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, who confirmed the arrest. She urged the public to seek peaceful means of resolving domestic disputes and condemned the senseless act of violence.

The case is expected to be brought before the courts soon as investigators continue compiling evidence.

The Zimbabwean government has kicked off yet another controversial road construction project — this time a US$99 million “sand heap” interchange and bypass highway in Mutare — sparking fears of a repeat of the widely condemned Mbudzi “Trabablas” Interchange fiasco.

The new project, awarded to Leengate Private Limited, will see two modern traffic interchanges constructed on either end of the 31.2km Christmas Pass Bypass Road, which circumvents the treacherous slopes of Christmas Pass. While officials have hailed it as a long-awaited solution to recurring truck accidents in the area, critics are already warning that the scheme risks becoming yet another multi-million-dollar boondoggle marred by sand heaps, collapsed bridges, delayed works and zero accountability.

Preliminary works quietly began last Thursday, with bush clearance near the Romeo Turn-off, according to Engineer Raphael Sigauke, the Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer. However, no machinery has yet been deployed on the ground, and there is no published project breakdown, feasibility study, or costed engineering designs accessible to the public — a hallmark of previous murky tenders under the so-called “Second Republic.”

Leengate director Commence Chivanga refused to provide details on the scope of work or procurement process, stating vaguely that “mobilisation is an ongoing process.” This echoes previous evasions during the ill-fated Mbudzi Interchange rollout, which has now gone three years behind schedule, riddled with allegations of corruption, contractor incompetence, and environmental violations.

The Christmas Pass Bypass was first proposed in 1992. For decades, it remained dormant due to lack of funding and public consultation. Suddenly revived under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s infrastructure drive, the current iteration is raising red flags for its lack of transparency, astronomical price tag, and selection of a little-known private contractor without open tendering.

Government sources claim the bypass will reduce traffic pressure and eliminate frequent accidents along the dangerous curves of Christmas Pass. However, independent analysts argue that the proposed interchanges — including one next to Mutare Teachers’ College — appear overdesigned, unnecessary and suspiciously inflated in cost, particularly in a country facing hospitals without paracetamol and workers going months without salaries.

“This is the Mbudzi Interchange disaster 2.0,” said a senior civil engineer who requested anonymity. “The government is repeating the same pattern: no independent oversight, no transparent tender process, and a politically connected company doing the work. In 15 months, expect sand heaps, collapsed culverts, and a press conference blaming sanctions.”

Minister of Transport Felix Mhona confirmed the project has commenced, while Manicaland Minister of State Advocate Misheck Mugadza framed it as “a promise fulfilled by our President.” Neither addressed how Leengate was selected or what mechanisms are in place to audit the US$99 million being pumped into the project.

The bypass road, which will link the Beira Corridor to Zambia, Malawi, and the DRC, will also include the rehabilitation of the problematic Murahwa (Sakubva) Market Bridge, another longstanding infrastructure black hole. However, with Leengate yet to produce a timeline, budget justification, or construction drawings, many fear the bridge revamp — like the rest of the project — will become another symbol of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure without delivery.

With the ghost of Mbudzi still haunting taxpayers, Mutare residents and opposition figures are already calling for a forensic audit and public disclosure of project documents, demanding answers on why the government is continuing to fund interchange white elephants while schools and clinics rot.

#SandHeapMutare #MnangagwaWhiteElephants #MutareBypassScandal

Tinashe Sambiri

Prominent constitutional lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu, who is closely associated with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, has taken legal action against the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, accusing it of desecrating its pulpit by allowing senior ZANU PF figures to promote partisan political views during a church service.

In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the SDA leadership on Wednesday, Advocate Mpofu—through Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners—expressed deep dismay at what he described as a “perverse and degenerate” act that has shaken his faith in the church.

“It has become necessary for action to be taken against the SDA Church,” said Mpofu. “I thank the royal gladiator, Beatrice Mtetwa, for agreeing to go to war with me. It is necessary for us to say NO to degenerate madness and nonsense.”

The letter outlines Advocate Mpofu’s outrage at events that took place on June 14, 2025, during an evangelical campaign dubbed Operation Macedonia in Nyanga. According to Mpofu, ZANU PF-linked businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei invited Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe—now also a ZANU PF politician—to address congregants from the SDA pulpit without the prior consent of the church’s regional leaders.

Once on the pulpit, Sanyatwe is said to have made “partisan political declarations,” including the assertion that ZANU PF would govern Zimbabwe indefinitely, mockingly claiming its rule would only end when “donkeys grow horns.” He also dismissed previous objections to such statements as mere “barking.”

“Our client is a baptised member of the SDA Church and fellowships in an area under the East Zimbabwe Conference (EZC) and the Zimbabwe East Union Conference (ZEUC),” the letter reads. “It does not help matters that this unblushing blasphemy occurred during an evangelical campaign and would have served to reduce the SDA Church in the eyes of the converts to a fly-by-night outfit prepared to append itself to political fortune.”

Advocate Mpofu further took aim at SDA leaders Pastor Musara (ZEUC President) and Pastor Timuri (EZC President), who were reportedly present during the incident but failed to intervene. “The fact that Messrs Musara and Timuri did nothing to arrest the desecration, did not stand to correct it and have still not done anything to this very day can only mean that they make common cause with it,” the letter stated.

The legal complaint references violations of several governing documents within the SDA Church, including the SID Working Policy, which strictly forbids using denominational platforms for personal or partisan gain. Specific reference was made to Section S 55 25, which prohibits associating the denomination with outside political or business interests.

“Our client contends that the misuse of the SDA pulpit on the holy Sabbath of the Lord is a violation and negation of the SID Working Policy, the ZEUC Constitution, the EZC Constitution, the SDA Church Manual, as well the Holy Scriptures to whose authority the church unerringly yields,” the lawyers argued.

Quoting from the SDA Church Manual, the letter emphasized that “the pulpit must be reserved for the preaching of the truths of the Divine Word,” not for the “advancement of political views.”

In closing, Mpofu’s lawyers warned that failure to address the issue not only undermines the spiritual integrity of the church but also risks reducing it to a “political tool.”

“The only kingdom that has the durability suggested by Sanyatwe is that of Christ and, as it turns out, it is only for that kingdom that the SDA pulpit is consecrated,” the letter concluded.

As of now, the SDA Church leadership has not issued a public response to the legal action.

By Tinashe Sambiri

Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has dismissed speculation that he harbours presidential ambitions, declaring that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will remain in power beyond 2028—until at least 2030.

Speaking at a Land Tenure Programme hosted at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Tagwirei said there was no leadership vacuum in Zimbabwe that would warrant such speculation.

“There is no vacancy for the presidency because President Emmerson Mnangagwa will rule until 2030,” said Tagwirei. “I am a businessman—why should I look for something that does not exist?”

Tagwirei, who has often been linked to powerful political circles and accused of wielding outsized influence in government affairs, also made controversial remarks about economic participation.

“If you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish,” he said, using a term often associated with politically connected individuals who benefit from government contracts.

His comments come amid rising debate about succession within the ruling ZANU PF party and uncertainty over Zimbabwe’s post-2028 political landscape. President Mnangagwa, whose second term constitutionally ends in 2028, has yet to publicly state whether he will seek to extend his stay in office.

As of now, Tagwirei’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups, who view them as part of an emerging campaign to justify an unconstitutional extension of Mnangagwa’s rule.

By Tinashe Sambiri

Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has dismissed speculation that he harbours presidential ambitions, declaring that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will remain in power beyond 2028—until at least 2030.

Speaking at a Land Tenure Programme hosted at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Tagwirei said there was no leadership vacuum in Zimbabwe that would warrant such speculation.

“There is no vacancy for the presidency because President Emmerson Mnangagwa will rule until 2030,” said Tagwirei. “I am a businessman—why should I look for something that does not exist?”

Tagwirei, who has often been linked to powerful political circles and accused of wielding outsized influence in government affairs, also made controversial remarks about economic participation.

“If you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish,” he said, using a term often associated with politically connected individuals who benefit from government contracts.

His comments come amid rising debate about succession within the ruling ZANU PF party and uncertainty over Zimbabwe’s post-2028 political landscape. President Mnangagwa, whose second term constitutionally ends in 2028, has yet to publicly state whether he will seek to extend his stay in office.

As of now, Tagwirei’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups, who view them as part of an emerging campaign to justify an unconstitutional extension of Mnangagwa’s rule.

Kuda Tagwirei says “if you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish!”

He says-
“If you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish. If you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish. There is the biggest buyer or seller in this country is government. So if you do not want to get a… pic.twitter.com/jpUOnnWKGP

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 26, 2025

He says- “If you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish. If you are not a tenderpreneur, you are foolish. There is the biggest buyer or seller in this country is government. So if you do not want to get a tender, from the biggest supplier, the biggest buyer, where are you going to get your business from? So anyone who tells you that you must not get tenders is foolish. You must actually strive to get a tender from government. Those who are saying these ones are tenderpreneurs are jealous because they don’t get the tenders. Because if you have the tender, you will not say you are a tenderpreneur. In fact, I would rather be called a tenderpreneur. Let me tell you this. Do you know a gentleman by the name Elon Musk? Who knows Elon Musk? Elon Musk, Elon Musk, someone? Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is a tenderpreneur. Because his biggest contracts are with the American government. So he won those contracts. That coining of that word was done by white people to discourage black people to get access to business from governments. Now, there are two stages of business. You can be a manufacturer, you can be a trader. There is nothing wrong with you being a trader. Where you have the access to markets, you must buy from this one who does not have. Some of the biggest companies in the world, like Glencoe, are traders. Vitrol, Traders, Trafigura. These are multi-billion companies. But their biggest contracts are with governments all over the world. And those companies are white-owned. So we, Zimbabweans, must be owners of our own destiny. And if I can get a tender or many tenders, I will get them. You can call me whatever name you want. I don’t care. So you must also want the same.”

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested two public prosecutors, Takunda Muzenda and Marlon Makamba, stationed at Rusape Magistrates Court, on charges of criminal abuse of duty after allegedly extorting a traditional healer over a case pending before the courts.

The traditional healer was arrested in June 2023 by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Rusape for allegedly threatening Praise Mutume with harm over unpaid a debt.

The traditional healer’s wife reportedly approached the arresting officer seeking assistance for her husband’s release and was linked to Makamba, who demanded $250.00 and was paid $189.00.

On June 17, 2025, Muzenda allegedly summoned the traditional healer, advised that he was now handling the case, and demanded $500.00, claiming $300.00 was for the magistrate and $200.00 for himself to destroy the case docket.

Muzenda was allegedly paid $400.00 and assured the traditional healer that court attendance was unnecessary.

However, despite the payments, a warrant of arrest was issued against the traditional healer on June 24, 2025, and he confronted Muzenda, who failed to provide an explanation.

Realising he had been duped, the complainant reported the matter to ZACC, and a trap was set up, leading to the arrest of the accused persons.

Muzenda and Makamba are set to appear at Mutare Magistrates Court on June 27, 2025, for their initial remand.

By A Correspondent| Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has dismissed growing speculation linking him to a bid to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa, labeling the talk “foolish” and affirming his loyalty to the Zanu PF leader whom he insists will remain in power until 2030.

Addressing a gathering in Bulawayo yesterday, Tagwirei — who is widely seen as one of the most influential figures behind the scenes in Zimbabwean politics — denied any interest in high office and instead launched a blistering attack on opposition politicians and internal party critics he accused of fuelling the succession narrative.

“There is no vacancy in the Office of the President. President ED Mnangagwa is the President until 2030,” Tagwirei declared. “I am a businessman… stop being foolish. Why should I be looking for something that does not exist?”

He continued: “It’s foolish for me… why should I waste my energy on something that does not exist? The President is going to be there up to 2030. So anyone who says that, they are foolish in their own thinking because there is no vacancy in the Presidency.”

The businessman, who referred to himself as a “soldier” of Mnangagwa, added, “A soldier who has been sent by the very President who is going to be there until 2030. Anyone who thinks that should go and sleep… they are dreaming.”

Tagwirei’s comments come amid swirling rumours that the politically connected tycoon is positioning himself for leadership in a post-Mnangagwa era, especially as the ruling Zanu PF party navigates internal divisions and succession tensions.

In a rare public political outburst, Tagwirei also took aim at opposition politicians and former Zanu PF officials, accusing them of hypocrisy on corruption.

“The people who speak the most about corruption are the most corrupt,” he said. “The President does not speak about people. I learn from the President — he speaks about his vision. So I follow the President’s vision. It’s not about corruption; it’s about building the country.”

Without holding back, he mentioned Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) senior leader Tendai Biti and exiled former minister Saviour Kasukuwere by name.

“If I were to stand here — and Tendai Biti knows this — and I start to talk about his corrupt activities, toenda kupi (where will we go)? As for Kasukuwere, he is one of the most corrupt people I know. So we don’t celebrate people and their misgivings; we celebrate work and moving forward,” said Tagwirei.

The businessman’s remarks signal an increasingly combative posture as his public profile continues to grow. Critics say his growing political influence, particularly through economic dominance and close ties to the President, has made him a central player in Zimbabwe’s succession dynamics — something he appears keen to deny.

However, Tagwirei’s forceful rejection of the presidency rumours and his call for loyalty to Mnangagwa are likely to be seen by some as a calculated move to both defuse speculation and solidify his position as a kingmaker rather than a contender.

By A Correspondent| A prominent land development company, Leengate (Private) Limited, has been ordered by the High Court to vacate land at Rainham Farm within 30 days, after it emerged the company had encroached onto another party’s property where quarrying operations were taking place.

Leengate was sued by Mitchell Corporation (Private) Limited for encroaching onto its Stand No. 643.

Mitchell Corporation applied for a summary judgment in an action seeking eviction and removal of structures.

According to Mitchell Corporation, Leengate or its agents were erecting buildings and other structures on its land without any legal right, permission, or lease agreement.

The corporation sought a summary order for the ejectment of Leengate and anyone claiming through it from the property, as well as the demolition or removal of all structures erected on the land.

Leengate, however, wanted the matter to go to a full trial.

The second respondent, Zvimba Rural District Council, the local authority for the area, was cited due to its administrative interest in the land, although no specific relief beyond its formal citation was sought against it.

Leengate denied encroaching onto Mitchell Corporation’s land and claimed that one LLH Engineering Projects (Pvt) Ltd was the actual occupier or builder on the land in question.

Leengate argued that the applicant had sued the wrong party.

Zvimba RDC did not file any opposing affidavit and took a neutral position, indicating it would abide by the court’s decision.

After hearing the parties, High Court judge Justice Joel Mambara ruled in favour of the applicant and ordered Leengate and its agents to vacate the land, also awarding costs on a legal practitioner-client scale against the developer.

The judge noted that Leengate had provided virtually no detail about LLH Engineering Projects (Pvt) Ltd, apart from naming it as the alleged occupier.

“The opposing affidavit does little more than assert ‘the structures belong to LLH, not us’. It does not explain the relationship (if any) between the first respondent and LLH Engineering — for example, whether LLH is a completely independent third party that coincidentally built on Stand 643, or perhaps a subcontractor or business partner of the first respondent in the Rainham development project.

“The first respondent did not tender any affidavit from LLH Engineering, nor any documentary proof (such as an agreement, a council lease, or correspondence) indicating that LLH Engineering was authorised by the council or anyone else to build on Stand 643. One would expect that if LLH Engineering truly and independently moved onto Stand 643, the first respondent could at least describe how that came about — especially since Leengate itself is involved in development projects in the same locale (indeed, the ‘Rainham Park’ housing development has been linked to Leengate in the background).

“The stark absence of any supporting detail or third-party confirmation raises serious doubt about the genuineness of this defence,” said the judge.

Justice Mambara said Leengate’s mere pointing of the finger at a non-party, without more, amounted to a “bald or sketchy” averment that failed to pass muster as a bona fide defence.

“It is therefore an appropriate exercise of this Court’s discretion to order costs against the first respondent on the legal practitioner and client scale.

“Such an order ensures that the applicant is more fully indemnified for the legal expenses it incurred due to the first respondent’s conduct, and it serves as a rebuke of the first respondent’s abuse of the court process.

“The applicant should not be out of pocket for having to chase a party that had no valid defence and yet refused to concede.”

The judge added that the applicant had met the requirements for summary judgment and that the first respondent had failed to establish a bona fide defence or triable issue.

“The first respondent, Leengate (Private) Limited, and all persons claiming occupation through the first respondent, be and are hereby ejected from Stand 643 Rainham Farm, Zvimba District, Mashonaland West.

“This eviction encompasses the removal of any employees, contractors, agents, or associates of the first respondent, and includes any other entity (such as LLH Engineering Projects (Pvt) Ltd) or persons who occupy the property under or through the authority of the first respondent.

“The first respondent shall, within 30 days of service of this order upon it, remove all structures, buildings, materials, plant, equipment, and installations that it or anyone acting on its behalf (or through it) has erected or placed on Stand 643 Rainham Farm.

“The removal shall be carried out safely and without avoidable damage to the land, and the site shall be restored, as far as reasonably possible, to its original condition prior to the first respondent’s occupation,” said the judge.

Justice Mambara further ruled that, in the event Leengate or those claiming occupation through it fail to vacate the property or fully comply within the stipulated 30-day period, the Sheriff of the High Court or his lawful deputy is authorised and directed to evict the first respondent and any other unlawful occupiers from Stand 643 Rainham Farm.

The Sheriff is also authorised and directed to demolish, dismantle, and/or remove any structures or materials remaining on the property that were erected or placed there by the first respondent or its agents, and to restore possession of the property to the applicant.

He added that the Sheriff may enlist the assistance of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and/or the second respondent (Zvimba Rural District Council) to the extent necessary to carry out this order and ensure compliance in a peaceful and safe manner.

The RDC was ordered to cooperate with and facilitate the enforcement of this order to the extent that any administrative action or permission on its part is required.

During the hearing, and in support of its claim, the applicant proved that, for instance, in mid-2024, when the encroachment was discovered, communications were exchanged involving the council and the first respondent.

Notably, an email dated 15 July 2024 from the council, addressed to the applicant and copied to a representative of the first respondent (one K. Bhunu), confirmed that a council inspection had found a durawall (boundary wall) built by the occupier of adjacent Stand 179 was indeed encroaching onto the applicant’s Stand 643.

In that email, the council reported the encroachment and indicated that the occupier of Stand 179 had been instructed to rectify the anomaly (remove or realign the wall).

The following day, 16 July 2024, the applicant’s legal practitioners sent a letter of demand to Leengate, formally complaining of the encroachment.

In response, on 27 July 2024, Leengate’s legal practitioners replied in writing, effectively acknowledging the encroachment and proposing a resolution.

In that letter, Leengate’s lawyers confirmed they also represented LLH Engineering Projects (Pvt) Ltd — a company closely associated with the first respondent — and explained that these two companies held the adjacent Stands 179 and 644, with the applicant’s Stand 643 lying between them.

The letter further indicated that those entities were operating a quarry on Stand 179 and proposed a compromise arrangement: a boundary adjustment that would reduce the applicant’s land to cure the encroachment, with the first respondent financing the re-survey; or, alternatively, an outright purchase of Stand 643 from the applicant.

In essence, Leengate at that stage offered to compensate for or eliminate the encroachment by realigning property boundaries or purchasing the land — implicitly conceding that the encroachment had occurred.

Despite these discussions and the first respondent’s written undertakings to rectify the situation, nothing was done on the ground to remove the offending structures or resolve the issue.

Eventually, frustrated by the lack of concrete remedial action, the applicant issued summons in the High Court, leading to the present proceedings.

Leengate’s plea to the summons, however, painted a very different picture.

In its plea, Leengate denied encroaching on the applicant’s land, offering little more than bare denials, and notably made no mention of LLH Engineering or the earlier communications and admissions.

Only after the applicant filed the summary judgment application did Leengate raise a new defence in its opposing affidavit — that LLH Engineering Projects (Pvt) Ltd, not Leengate, was the party responsible for the structures on Stand 643.

The court said this shift in position — from tacitly acknowledging encroachment and proposing a compromise, to later denying any responsibility and blaming a third party — undermined Leengate’s defence.

By A Correspondent – Rumours of the death of veteran politician Ignatius Chombo on Wednesday sent shockwaves across Zimbabwe, reigniting the long-standing public feud between his ex-wife Marian Chombo and former Norton MP Temba Mliswa.

Chombo, one of Zimbabwe’s longest-serving cabinet ministers under the late President Robert Mugabe, was prematurely declared dead on social media. The reports were quickly quashed by his former wife and current Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Marian Chombo, who issued a public statement confirming that he was alive.

However, it was Marian’s public denial that provoked a scathing response from Temba Mliswa, who took to social media to question her authority to speak on behalf of Chombo’s family.

“Allow the family to speak please. Chombo has a wife already, Sisy Bessy. You are now only a baby mama. How do you even know he’s home unless you live there too? Leave the real immediate family to respond,” Mliswa wrote in a tweet laced with both English and Shona.

The online exchange has brought to light once again the bitter personal and political tensions between Mliswa and Marian, who have clashed repeatedly in the past. Mliswa has accused Marian of corruption and abuse of office, particularly in relation to illegal mining operations and land deals in Mashonaland West.

Just last week, Mliswa was arrested at his Spring Farm in Karoi, a development he claims was politically motivated and orchestrated by Marian and senior police officials.

“Breaking News! Today, I was arrested by a formidable contingent of 12 armed Law and Order officers from the ZRP in Chinhoyi, all orchestrated by the Officer Commanding Mash West, Commissioner Tawonei Nyazema, who is clearlyscurrying around to clean his criminal trail,” Mliswa posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

He alleges that his arrest was a direct response to a series of exposés in which he accused Marian Chombo and Commissioner Nyazema of being part of a “clandestine criminal cartel” involving illegal Chinese mining in the Sanyati area.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment.

Chombo’s Long Political Journey

Ignatius Chombo served as a key figure in Zimbabwe’s post-independence political landscape. He held various cabinet posts over two decades, including:

• Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development (2000–2015) – the position for which he is most remembered, having implemented controversial urban housing policies.
• Minister of Home Affairs (2015–2017)
• Minister of Finance and Economic Development (2017) – his final cabinet post, briefly held just before Mugabe’s ouster during the November 2017 military coup.

Chombo was known for his loyalty to the Mugabe regime and was a prominent member of the G40 faction, which was opposed to the military-backed Lacoste faction led by Emmerson Mnangagwa. Following the coup, Chombo was arrested and charged with corruption, though some of the cases later stalled in the courts.

The sudden circulation of his death rumours this week—despite being false—has once again thrust Chombo and his legacy into the spotlight, while simultaneously exposing the deep divisions and unresolved rivalries within the ruling elite.

By A Correspondent – Zanu PF internal restructuring exercises currently underway have revealed growing discontent and dwindling grassroots participation with the party losing support in Mashonaland West province following the recent expulsion of war veteran and outspoken former Zanu PF official Blessed Geza.

Zanu PF is currently conducting a cell verification exercise in Makonde, Hurungwe, and Sanyati districts to prepare for the co-option of new central committee members. 

However, the process has been marred by poor attendance, internal divisions, and unresolved tensions dating back to the 2023 general elections.

In Sanyati, the expulsion of Geza—who openly called for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa—has left a vacuum and stirred divisions.

Geza, a respected war veteran, gained notoriety for criticizing Mnangagwa’s leadership, accusing him of betraying the values of the liberation struggle and presiding over a corrupt, authoritarian regime.

His bold stance, which resonated with sections of disgruntled war veterans and party loyalists, ultimately cost him his position in the party.

The leadership contest to replace Geza has drawn figures such as Mines Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura, businessman Jimaya Muduvuri, and Kudakwashe Nduya. 

However, insiders say the infighting and lack of cohesion have severely disrupted the party’s organizational momentum in the area.

In Hurungwe, another power struggle is unfolding between Reuben Marumahoko and Ability Gandawa, both vying to replace the imprisoned former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe.

In Makonde, Phineas Makumbe, Tommy Mwanza, Simba Ziyambi, and Locadia Gwati are competing to succeed Kindness Paradza, now a commissioner at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Meanwhile, there will be no co-option in Chinhoyi to replace controversial businessman Mike Chimombe, who remains in remand prison facing fraud-related charges.

Sources within the party said the cell verification process is progressing at a snail’s pace. 

Some areas, such as Bumi Hills, reportedly recorded zero attendance, while others, including Cheuchi in Mhangura, attracted as few as eight people.

Ward 4 in Chinhoyi had the highest turnout with 550 people.

In a letter seen by NewsDay, provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka acknowledged the challenges facing the process. “We noted low attendance, which indicates either poor communication or poor planning. 

In both cases, the work will be redone to ensure no one is left out,” she wrote. “Some absences were due to unresolved issues with sitting MPs. This is unfortunate, but this process is about the party and its structures; therefore, it must proceed.”

Mliswa-Chikoka also reprimanded officials in Chegutu district, accusing them of undermining the verification exercise. “Worse still, some attempted to incite disunity and rebellion against this vital exercise. Let this be a clear warning to the Chegutu administrative leadership that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at all,” she said.

Mashonaland West was once a stronghold of Zanu PF during the late former President Robert Mugabe’s reign.

However, since the 2017 coup that ousted Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa, internal fractures have widened, and support in the province has weakened, now made more apparent by the fallout from Geza’s ouster and the turmoil gripping the party’s grassroots.

By A Correspondent

Zimbabwe has emerged from its peak malaria transmission season amid growing concerns over a spike in infections and fatalities. Health authorities are now evaluating the full impact of the recent surge.

According to Dr Aspect Maunganidze, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the country has recorded a noticeable rise in malaria-related illnesses and deaths since January 2025. While detailed statistics are still being compiled, the trend has raised alarms among public health officials and communities in high-risk regions.

The Ministry is expected to release a comprehensive report on the outbreak and outline enhanced prevention and response strategies to curb further transmission. Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Zimbabwe, particularly during the rainy season when mosquito populations thrive.

Convicted Rapist Jumps from Third Floor of Bulawayo Court After Sentencing

A 38-year-old man convicted of attempted rape shocked court officials and members of the public on Wednesday after he jumped from the third floor of the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court moments after being sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Monwabisi Mhilwane was convicted by Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla for attempting to rape his 19-year-old cousin on multiple occasions at their family homestead in Lortondale Village, Inyathi, Matabeleland North Province.

Immediately after sentencing, Mhilwane broke away from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers and threw himself out of a third-floor courtroom window. He landed on the first floor with visible injuries and was rushed to hospital under police guard.

The case was prosecuted by Mr Jethro Mada, who told the court that Mhilwane had persistently sexually harassed the teenager. On one occasion in February, he proposed love to her and demanded sexual intercourse. When she refused, she reported the matter to a cousin sister who initially intervened privately.

The court heard that on March 30 at around 8PM, Mhilwane forced entry into the complainant’s room, grabbed her breasts and attempted to undress her. The girl screamed, and her cousin intervened once again.

On April 30, while the complainant was relieving herself in the bush around 5AM, Mhilwane followed her and demanded sex. When she refused, he threw stones at her. The matter was reported to the police after he was later caught red-handed on top of the victim.

Magistrate Mnkandla noted that the complainant was a minor and that Mhilwane had betrayed his role as a family guardian. She said the evidence was overwhelming despite the accused’s denial and entered a conviction after full trial.

“The accused showed no remorse and abused a vulnerable girl who regarded him as a trusted relative,” said Mnkandla during sentencing.

Court officials said Mhilwane remains hospitalised and will begin serving his sentence upon recovery. Authorities are also investigating the security lapse that allowed him to break away from custody.

While hospitals across Zimbabwe are running out of basic medication like paracetamol — a tablet that costs as little as 5 US cents but remains out of reach for many — local councillors are preparing to splurge over US$1 million in ratepayers’ money on hotel stays, food allowances, and travel for a one-day meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The staggering figure, enough to buy 20 million paracetamol tablets or fully restock dozens of rural clinics, will be spent on 2,595 councillors from the country’s 92 local authorities as they gather in Masvingo for the second “indaba” with Mnangagwa in just seven months.

In a country where some mothers are turned away from hospitals because there are no gloves, and patients are told to buy even the most basic painkillers, the luxury accommodation and daily allowance of over US$209 per councillor has ignited fury across the nation.

BREAKING: Councillors to Blow Over US$1 Million in Ratepayers’ Money for Mnangagwa Meeting in Masvingo

Masvingo – 26 June 2025

An estimated US$1.088 million in ratepayers’ money is set to be spent tomorrow as 2,595 councillors from Zimbabwe’s 92 local authorities descend on Masvingo for a meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa — the second such indaba in just seven months.

Despite the dire financial state of many councils, with some battling salary backlogs stretching for months and others presiding over collapsed services including water, roads, and sewer systems, the Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) has coordinated yet another costly gathering.

Last year’s councillors’ indaba, held in Harare, also attracted criticism for excessive spending amid deteriorating urban and rural infrastructure. Councillors at the time received US$209.80 per person per day in allowances, broken down as follows:
• US$90 for bed
• US$22.50 for breakfast
• US$30 for lunch
• US$37.30 for dinner
• US$30 supplementary allowance

If the same package is paid out this time, the total cost for all councillors would exceed US$1 million.

Ministry of Local Government and Public Works spokesperson Gabriel Masvora confirmed the indaba to The Masvingo Mirror, noting that the event is officially sanctioned. However, efforts to obtain comment from ZILGA chairperson Aaron Golden Shamu were unsuccessful.

This lavish expenditure has sparked outrage, particularly in municipalities like Harare where some suburbs have gone without running water for over a decade and refuse collection is erratic at best. Councillors are being accommodated in hotels and provided with transport and food allowances — a bitter pill to swallow for residents footing the bill amid deepening service delivery failures.

The opposition has accused the Mnangagwa administration of using such meetings to consolidate political loyalty among local representatives while disregarding the financial suffering of ordinary citizens.

Critics also say the repeated meetings lack any tangible outcomes, describing them as “talkshops” designed to mask the collapse of Zimbabwe’s urban governance framework under ZANU PF’s watch. – MasvingoMorror, additional reporting

More updates to follow.

16-Year-Old Chimanimani Bride Commits Suicide After Assault Over US$20 Grocery Change

CHIMANIMANI – A tragic case of domestic abuse has rocked the Rusitu Valley community after a 16-year-old married girl, Loveness Makorokoto, took her own life on Monday by ingesting poison, reportedly after being assaulted by her 30-year-old husband for failing to account for change from a US$20 grocery allowance.

Manicaland Police Acting Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident to Chipinge Times, stating that Makorokoto died upon admission at Rusitu Mission Hospital.

According to police, Makorokoto had been sent to purchase groceries by her husband, Simbarashe Marira, using a US$20 note. An argument allegedly ensued when she returned without full change. Marira reportedly assaulted her during the altercation.

Around 2 p.m., Makorokoto approached a neighbour, 34-year-old Rumbidzai Makuza, and confessed that she had consumed poison following the domestic assault. Makuza rushed her to Rusitu Mission Hospital, but medical personnel pronounced her dead upon arrival.

Police have launched a full investigation into the matter. The case has raised urgent concerns over child marriage, gender-based violence, and the vulnerability of underage girls in rural communities.

No arrest had been confirmed at the time of publication.

By A Correspondent – The recent expulsion of war veteran and outspoken former Zanu PF official Blessed Geza has dealt a heavy blow to the ruling party’s support base in Mashonaland West, with internal restructuring exercises revealing growing discontent and dwindling grassroots participation.

Zanu PF is currently conducting a cell verification exercise in Makonde, Hurungwe, and Sanyati districts to prepare for the co-option of new central committee members. 

However, the process has been marred by poor attendance, internal divisions, and unresolved tensions dating back to the 2023 general elections.

In Sanyati, the expulsion of Geza—who openly called for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa—has left a vacuum and stirred divisions.

Geza, a respected war veteran, gained notoriety for criticizing Mnangagwa’s leadership, accusing him of betraying the values of the liberation struggle and presiding over a corrupt, authoritarian regime.

His bold stance, which resonated with sections of disgruntled war veterans and party loyalists, ultimately cost him his position in the party.

The leadership contest to replace Geza has drawn figures such as Mines Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura, businessman Jimaya Muduvuri, and Kudakwashe Nduya. 

However, insiders say the infighting and lack of cohesion have severely disrupted the party’s organizational momentum in the area.

In Hurungwe, another power struggle is unfolding between Reuben Marumahoko and Ability Gandawa, both vying to replace the imprisoned former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe.

In Makonde, Phineas Makumbe, Tommy Mwanza, Simba Ziyambi, and Locadia Gwati are competing to succeed Kindness Paradza, now a commissioner at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Meanwhile, there will be no co-option in Chinhoyi to replace controversial businessman Mike Chimombe, who remains in remand prison facing fraud-related charges.

Sources within the party said the cell verification process is progressing at a snail’s pace. 

Some areas, such as Bumi Hills, reportedly recorded zero attendance, while others, including Cheuchi in Mhangura, attracted as few as eight people.

Ward 4 in Chinhoyi had the highest turnout with 550 people.

In a letter seen by NewsDay, provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka acknowledged the challenges facing the process. “We noted low attendance, which indicates either poor communication or poor planning. 

In both cases, the work will be redone to ensure no one is left out,” she wrote. “Some absences were due to unresolved issues with sitting MPs. This is unfortunate, but this process is about the party and its structures; therefore, it must proceed.”

Mliswa-Chikoka also reprimanded officials in Chegutu district, accusing them of undermining the verification exercise. “Worse still, some attempted to incite disunity and rebellion against this vital exercise. Let this be a clear warning to the Chegutu administrative leadership that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at all,” she said.

Mashonaland West was once a stronghold of Zanu PF during the late former President Robert Mugabe’s reign.

However, since the 2017 coup that ousted Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa, internal fractures have widened, and support in the province has weakened, now made more apparent by the fallout from Geza’s ouster and the turmoil gripping the party’s grassroots.

Ministers caught on camera secretly tabbing cellphones during @ParliamentofZim | is this normal @Jamwanda2 @nickmangwana ? https://t.co/fPKn6jTzao pic.twitter.com/T7vJpQl3bs

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 25, 2025

By A Correspondent

Controversial businessman and political powerbroker Dr. Kudakwashe Tagwirei has made waves in ZANU PF circles after quietly entering the party’s influential Central Committee this month — a move many see as a calculated step toward even greater political ambition.

Widely regarded as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “blue-eyed boy,” Tagwirei’s sudden and low-profile inclusion in the Central Committee has raised eyebrows, with party insiders suggesting it signals his growing influence in both party and state affairs.

Speaking to reporters in Harare after attending a closed-door provincial meeting with government departments on Tuesday, Tagwirei made remarks that hint at a shifting power dynamic.

“The party (ZANU PF) is bigger than the government,” he said pointedly, underscoring a sentiment often used by top party elites to remind civil servants and ministers where true authority lies.

His statement has reignited speculation about Tagwirei’s political ambitions, especially following his gradual transition from the business world and pulpit into full-fledged politics. Long known for his deep pockets and behind-the-scenes influence in both state contracts and party funding, Tagwirei is increasingly stepping into the limelight.

Though he has not formally declared any presidential ambitions, insiders suggest his rapid rise through party structures—coupled with his alignment with Mnangagwa—could be part of a broader succession strategy within the ruling party.

Whether he is positioning himself as a future presidential contender or simply consolidating his influence within ZANU PF, one thing is clear: Tagwirei is no longer just the man behind the scenes—he’s now part of the machinery steering Zimbabwe’s political direction.

By A Correspondent

A tragic domestic incident in Chiredzi has exposed the dire state of Zimbabwe’s public healthcare system, after Chiredzi District Hospital failed to raise enough diesel to transfer a critically injured patient to Masvingo General Hospital.

The patient, identified as Jerry, is reportedly fighting for his life after being scalded with hot cooking oil by his wife during a domestic dispute. He is currently admitted at Chiredzi District Hospital, but medical staff have recommended an urgent transfer to Masvingo General for specialized care.

However, the transfer has stalled due to a lack of fuel. The hospital’s ambulance reportedly has no diesel, and the patient’s family is struggling to raise the US$80 required to facilitate the transfer.

A family member who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed deep frustration and despair.
“We are watching him deteriorate by the hour. All because there is no fuel and we can’t find the money quickly enough. It’s heartbreaking,” the relative said.

Hospital staff confirmed the fuel crisis but declined to comment further, citing protocol. Local health activists have since called on authorities to urgently intervene and ensure the patient receives the care he desperately needs.

The incident has sparked fresh concerns about the state of healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, where hospitals continue to face shortages of basic resources, including fuel, medication, and critical staff.

As Jerry’s condition hangs in the balance, many are questioning how a major public hospital can be rendered helpless by something as basic as a tank of diesel.

FROM INBOX | This guy Jerry was scalded with cooking oil by his wife in Chiredzi. He is battling for his life in Chiredzi district hospital. The family is battling to raise $80 needed to transfer him to Masvingo general hospital. The ambulance has no diesel. pic.twitter.com/8PIwR6XVAn

— Crime Watch Zimbabwe (@crimewatchzw) June 25, 2025

By A Correspondent

Dr. Kudakwashe Tagwirei, the enigmatic businessman long associated with Zimbabwe’s corridors of power, is now openly asserting authority within both the ruling ZANU PF party and the government.

Recently smuggled into the ZANU PF Central Committee, Tagwirei’s rise has not only unsettled party veterans but also sparked fresh debate over the real centres of power in the country.

Often described as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “blue-eyed boy,” Tagwirei wasted no time in stamping his presence.

Speaking to reporters in Harare after a closed-door provincial meeting involving senior government officials on Tuesday, Tagwirei declared:

“The party (ZANU PF) is bigger than the government,” — a bold reminder to civil servants and ministers alike about where orders originate.

The statement signaled a possible shift in power dynamics, with Tagwirei now moving from operating behind the scenes into a more direct political role. His transition from wealthy tycoon and pulpit preacher to political figure has reignited speculation that he may be eyeing even higher office in the near future.

While he has made no public claims to the presidency, his alignment with Mnangagwa, vast financial resources, and newfound official role within ZANU PF suggest a carefully charted path toward deeper influence in national politics.

Whether Tagwirei becomes a successor, a kingmaker, or simply a strategic insider, one thing is certain: his voice now carries weight not just in business circles, but in the highest echelons of Zimbabwe’s political establishment.

By A Correspondent| Although exiled and officially cast out from the ruling Zanu PF ranks, former party stalwart Blessed Geza continues to cast a long shadow over the party’s troubled internal processes, with recent developments in Mashonaland West exposing cracks in what was once considered a loyal fortress of the ruling elite.

Zanu PF’s ongoing cell verification exercise — a precursor to electing new central committee members — has been marred by poor turnout, infighting, and organizational malaise across districts such as Makonde, Hurungwe, and Sanyati. Nowhere is the political turbulence more symbolic than in Sanyati, where the party is scrambling to replace Geza, who was expelled after publicly calling for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Despite his exile, Geza’s influence lingers. His dramatic exit and vocal criticism of the leadership have reportedly left deep divisions in the party base, which remain unresolved. “There’s a void in Sanyati,” admitted one provincial insider. “Geza didn’t leave quietly — he left with a message that continues to resonate with some structures.”

Factional Jockeying Intensifies

As the party seeks to fill the vacuum left by Geza’s departure, competition among hopefuls is intensifying. Notable names vying for the central committee seat in Sanyati include Mines Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura, controversial businessman Jimaya Muduvuri, and youth figure Kudakwashe Nduya. But insiders claim the race has turned into a proxy battle over loyalty to Mnangagwa — a political minefield that Geza helped trigger before his expulsion.

In Hurungwe, the contest to replace jailed former deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe has Reuben Marumahoko and Ability Gandawa locked in a tense standoff. Meanwhile, Makonde district sees its own power struggles, with Phineas Makumbe, Tommy Mwanza, Simba Ziyambi, and Locadia Gwati contending to replace Kindness Paradza, now serving at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

A Party in Decline?

Beyond the power wrangles, Zanu PF is facing a more ominous threat — apathy. According to a confidential letter from Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, poor attendance and internal disunity have crippled the verification exercise.

“Elsewhere, we noted low attendance, which indicates either poor communication or poor planning… Some absences were due to unresolved issues with sitting MPs,” Mliswa-Chikoka lamented in her letter, obtained by NewsDay.

Some areas, like Bumi Hills, reportedly saw zero attendance, while Cheuchi in Mhangura drew a mere eight participants. In stark contrast, Ward 4 in Chinhoyi recorded the highest turnout at 550 — still modest by the ruling party’s historical standards.

Mliswa-Chikoka also singled out Chegutu district for fostering rebellion and “inciting disunity,” warning that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

Legacy of Disruption

Political observers argue that the instability in Mashonaland West — once a Zanu PF heartland during the late Robert Mugabe’s rule — is emblematic of deeper dissatisfaction within the party. While Geza may be physically absent, his impact is visible in the cracks now forming in the party’s foundations.

“Geza’s defiance emboldened others, and now you see the ripple effects,” said political analyst Dr. Mandla Dube. “His expulsion didn’t silence dissent — it may have only driven it underground.”

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LUNGU LAWSUIT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN JOBURG https://t.co/He11PRKjG8

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 25, 2025

Mashonaland West, long regarded as a bastion of Zanu PF dominance, is showing growing signs of political fatigue with the ruling party, as poor turnout in key internal party processes reveals a significant drop in support.

What was once a guaranteed support base for Zanu PF under the late former President Robert Mugabe now appears to be slipping away from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s grip. The party’s cell verification exercise — a crucial step in selecting central committee members — has been met with widespread apathy, internal disunity, and even silent protest.

In some districts, the message from grassroots members is clear: they are losing faith.

In Sanyati, the party is scrambling to replace expelled member Blessed Geza, whose call for Mnangagwa’s ouster resonated with a growing faction disillusioned with the current leadership.

Even with high-profile figures like Mines deputy minister Polite Kambamura and businessman Jimaya Muduvuri vying for the spot, enthusiasm remains low.

Hurungwe is no better, as a tense face-off between Reuben Marumahoko and Ability Gandawa to replace jailed ex-deputy minister Terrence Mukupe exposes further cracks. In Makonde, four contenders are locked in a power struggle to fill the void left by Kindness Paradza, now with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

But it’s the near-empty venues and paltry numbers that tell the real story.

In Bumi Hills, not a single attendee showed up. Cheuchi in Mhangura attracted just eight people. Only Ward 4 in Chinhoyi, an urban area increasingly restless under economic strain, reported a significant turnout of 550 — a rare exception in a province once solidly red.

A letter from provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, lamented “low attendance, poor planning, and unresolved issues with MPs” as obstacles to the process — a thinly veiled acknowledgment of waning confidence in the party.

More striking, however, is her frustration with party leaders themselves. In Chegutu, she accused local officials of stoking disunity and sabotaging the process. “Let this be a clear warning… this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at all,” she warned, revealing the level of infighting and rebellion festering within the party’s ranks.

As Zanu PF stumbles through internal restructuring, the low engagement signals more than just logistical hiccups — it points to a political tide slowly turning in a province where loyalty once came without question.

For the opposition and civil society, the message from Mashonaland West is encouraging: the political monopoly that has long stifled change is beginning to erode from within.

By A Correspondent — Controversial businessman and Mnangagwa’s long-time ally, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, has launched another Zanu PF parallel structure that aims to revive the fading ED2030 re-election campaign.

Tagwirei, recently elected into ZANU PF’s Central Committee, will be the Guest of Honour at a high-profile event organised by Young Women 4 Economic Development held at NUST Ceremonial Hall today.

Branded as part of the Leadership Success Series under the theme “The Land Tenure: Unlocking the Potential of Young People,” the gathering will see the launch of the Vendors 4 ED Presidential Empowerment Fund, a strategic populist move aimed at consolidating Mnangagwa’s grassroots support.

But critics say the event is less about youth empowerment and more about power consolidation by Mnangagwa’s loyalists, infamously referred to as the Zvigananda faction a term now synonymous with sycophants and corrupt praise-singers enabling Mnangagwa’s third-term ambitions.

Joining Tagwirei on the poster and backing the ED2030 project are other prominent Zvigananda figures:

• Paul Tungwarara – Presidential Investment Advisor (Guest Speaker)
• Owen Ncube – Minister of State, Bulawayo (Speaker)
• Munyaradzi Machacha  – ZANU PF National Political Commissar (Speaker)
• Tinotenda Machakaire – Youth Minister (Speaker)
• Jabulani Sibanda – ZANU PF Provincial Chair (Speaker)
• Tatenda Mavetera – Minister of ICT (Speaker)
• Nyasha Mhonda – National Women Students YW4ED Coordinator
• Sandra Ndebele – Bulawayo Chairperson YW4ED, Event Host

Analysts say this group carefully chosen for their undivided loyalty to Mnangagwa, forms the nucleus of a political machinery preparing the ground for an ED2030 campaign, a project aimed at extending Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutional limit of two terms.

Notably absent from both the program and the platform are veterans, military figures, and other long-serving ZANU PF cadres who have grown increasingly uneasy with Tagwirei’s rising political role and the growing cult of personality around Mnangagwa.

The Zvigananda takeover has deepened the party’s succession crisis, particularly irking Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who many believed was next in line after his pivotal role in the 2017 coup that brought Mnangagwa to power. 

While Chiwenga remains publicly silent, insiders say he is watching Tagwirei’s manoeuvres with growing unease.

Tagwirei’s recent appointment to the Central Committee, confirmed by party legal affairs secretary Patrick Chinamasa, was facilitated through back channels. Though nominated by Masvingo province, it was Harare Province — closely aligned with Mnangagwa — that cleared a slot for him, signalling how the President’s inner circle is shaping the party’s future trajectory.

Political analysts argue that the resurrection of the ED2030 slogan, once abandoned after public backlash, reflects a deliberate effort to entrench Mnangagwa’s hold on power — and effectively block Chiwenga’s presidential ambitions in 2028.

Meanwhile, the Vendors 4 ED, Hairdressers 4 ED, Pastors 4 ED, and even Children of War Veterans 4 ED , all paraded at the NUST event, are increasingly seen not as empowerment vehicles but as political instruments in a broader re-election strategy disguised as youth and women mobilisation.

By Crime and Courts Reporter-The Police have released names of the victims of the Honda Fit a accident that occurred in Headlands early this week.

On Monday, 23 June, Nyathi said the people died when a Honda Fit they were travelling in collided head-on with a heavy truck near Yorkshire in Headlands around 7:30 PM on Sunday.

The driver of the Honda Fit vehicle was driving towards Mutare with five passengers on board and on approaching a blind curve at the 142 kilometre peg, he attempted to overtake a tractor while there was an oncoming Sino Howo truck, resulting in a head-on collision.

As a result of the crash, all six occupants of the Honda Fit vehicle died on the spot. The bodies were taken to Rusape General Hospital for post-mortem.

ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, that the victims were identified by their next of kin as listed:

• Portia Choto (29) a female adult of Chikanga 1, Mutare.
• Kupakwashe Tandi a male infant aged 3 months of Chikanga 1, Mutare.
• Rudo Elizabeth Chafa (36) a female adult of Budiriro 5, Harare.
• Prince Tashinga Makota (28) a male adult of Mutare Rural Camp, Mutare.
• Wadzani Nyoni (37) a female adult of Budiriro 1, Harare.

Commissioner Nyathi said that the sixth victim’s name is still being confirmed and updates will be provided once the family has been notified. He added:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police expresses condolences to the families of the victims and urges the public to observe road safety regulations.

Zimbabwean cultural tours

By A Correspondent — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come under fire for failing to provide a convincing account of the late Luke Mushore’s liberation war credentials, casting doubt over his elevation to national hero status.

Mushore, 76 — a former Zanu PF chairman for Mashonaland Central Province and ex-MP for Muzarabani South — died on June 13 and was buried at the National Heroes Acre on Monday. His cause of death remains undisclosed, further fuelling speculation.

In stark contrast to tradition, where government profiles of heroes include aliases, military training, operational roles, and command responsibilities, very little was revealed about Mushore’s role in the armed struggle. His promotion to hero status was delayed, and when it came, was accompanied by vague language and a glaring lack of detail.

Mnangagwa, in a brief eulogy delivered in Shona and English, described Mushore as a “reliable cadre” who contributed to the liberation struggle and land reform, saying:

“The late national hero vaiva bango rakasimba rataivimba naro mumusangano weZanu PF, vaisava zinyekenyeke.”

But beyond these generalities, the president offered no substantive evidence of Mushore’s war record. The only official note was that he “joined the liberation struggle in 1972” and was “revered for his steadfast commitment.”

Post-independence, Mushore reportedly established a productive farm in Centenary and supported land reform — acts viewed by critics as signs of party loyalty rather than liberation credentials.

Analysts say the omission of specific war records marks a significant departure from past hero declarations, raising uncomfortable questions about whether Mushore’s elevation was based more on political connections than merit.

The secrecy surrounding both his cause of death and his war record has left many Zimbabweans asking: was Mushore a hero, or just a loyal party man?

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Chipo Mushore (née Musiwapinda), 21 children, and 61 grandchildren.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Chinhoyi Man Sentenced for Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash 🚨

Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe – June 25, 2025

A 20-year-old man from Chinhoyi has been sentenced to 24 months in prison following a devastating road traffic accident that occurred on November 17, 2024, resulting in the death of one pedestrian and injuries to four others.

According to the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court, the offender was driving a Honda Fit northbound on the Chegutu-Chinhoyi Road near the Central Business District at approximately 4:00 AM, when he struck five pedestrians walking toward town. One of the victims tragically died from severe head injuries shortly after being admitted to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital. The other four victims sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Shockingly, the offender fled the scene after the incident. Investigations revealed that he was driving without a valid driver’s licence, and the vehicle was deemed unroadworthy.

The court found the offender negligent on the following grounds:

Failing to keep a proper lookout.

Failing to keep the vehicle under proper control.

Wantonly driving an unroadworthy vehicle.

In a ruling that has sparked public debate, six months of the sentence were suspended for three years, and the remaining 18 months were conditionally suspended pending 360 hours of community service.

The case has raised serious concerns over road safety and law enforcement, especially regarding unlicensed and reckless drivers on Zimbabwean roads.

Stay with us for more updates.

Imagine this: You gather the courage to report your rapist. You put your trust in the police — in the law — believing you’ll be safe now. You’re placed in custody for your protection. But in the dead of night, the very officer sworn to protect you unlocks the cell… and hands you back to the man you were running from.

That was the fate of Benitta Tshuma, a young woman whose desperate cry for justice ended not in safety, but in a body bag — dumped across the border in Botswana. Her alleged killer? The same man she had accused of rape. And the man who delivered her into his hands? A serving Zimbabwean police officer, now at the centre of what is being called the “Judas Cop Scandal.”

This isn’t just a story of betrayal. It’s a brutal reminder of how justice can be weaponised, and how women — even after speaking out — are still not safe.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: ‘Judas Cop’ Handed Victim to Her Killer — Shocking Plumtree Rape-Murder Scandal Rocks Zimbabwe

PLUMTREE, Zimbabwe — June 25, 2025

A Matjinge-based police officer accused of betraying his oath by handing a rape victim over to her alleged attacker — who later murdered her — is set to appear in court tomorrow in a case that has sent shockwaves across Zimbabwe.

Thembani Mukanyani (39), a serving member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, is being labelled a “Judas in uniform” after it emerged he allegedly released Benitta Tshuma, a rape complainant under protective custody, into the hands of her accused rapist, Cabangani “Mike” Mathe (35).

Tshuma had bravely reported Mathe for rape and was placed in what should have been the safety of police protection. But in a stunning betrayal, Mukanyani is alleged to have secretly handed her over to Mathe in the dead of night. Authorities believe Mathe then smuggled her across the border into Botswana, where she was brutally beaten to death.

Her decomposed body was later discovered, and a witness has come forward stating Tshuma was last seen in Mukanyani’s company. This led to the arrest of both men, now facing charges of rape, murder, and abuse of office.

In a dramatic court appearance on 11 June, emotions ran high at the Plumtree Magistrates’ Court, with Magistrate Ailene Munamati remanding the duo in custody until 25 June. The packed courtroom, dominated by women, erupted in tears and outrage, with many demanding justice not only for Benitta but for other alleged victims.

Disturbingly, several women present claimed they too had suffered abuse at the hands of the accused. This has prompted a national call for survivors to come forward.

“If you’ve been assaulted by Mike, please don’t hesitate to testify. We have him in custody and your safety is guaranteed,” read a statement issued by police today.

The case has exposed deep cracks in the justice system, sparking outrage across social media and in human rights circles. State Prosecutor Ruth Ncube is leading the charge against the accused.

Although Benitta Tshuma’s immediate family did not attend the hearing, a relative confirmed they are “closely watching the developments and expect full justice to be served.”

Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Plumtree, with whispers of a possible network of victims and systemic cover-ups.

The case, now widely referred to as the “Judas Cop Scandal,” has ignited national fury and calls for police reforms, particularly concerning how sexual violence cases are handled within law enforcement.

By A Correspondent — Controversial businessman and Mnangagwa’s long-time ally, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, has launched another Zanu PF parallel structure that aims to revive the fading ED2030 re-election campaign.

Tagwirei, recently elected into ZANU PF’s Central Committee, will be the Guest of Honour at a high-profile event organised by Young Women 4 Economic Development held at NUST Ceremonial Hall tomorrow.

Branded as part of the Leadership Success Series under the theme “The Land Tenure: Unlocking the Potential of Young People,” the gathering will see the launch of the Vendors 4 ED Presidential Empowerment Fund, a strategic populist move aimed at consolidating Mnangagwa’s grassroots support.

But critics say the event is less about youth empowerment and more about power consolidation by Mnangagwa’s loyalists, infamously referred to as the Zvigananda faction a term now synonymous with sycophants and corrupt praise-singers enabling Mnangagwa’s third-term ambitions.

Joining Tagwirei on the poster and backing the ED2030 project are other prominent Zvigananda figures:

• Paul Tungwarara – Presidential Investment Advisor (Guest Speaker)
• Owen Ncube – Minister of State, Bulawayo (Speaker)
• Munyaradzi Machacha  – ZANU PF National Political Commissar (Speaker)
• Tinotenda Machakaire – Youth Minister (Speaker)
• Jabulani Sibanda – ZANU PF Provincial Chair (Speaker)
• Tatenda Mavetera – Minister of ICT (Speaker)
• Nyasha Mhonda – National Women Students YW4ED Coordinator
• Sandra Ndebele – Bulawayo Chairperson YW4ED, Event Host

Analysts say this group carefully chosen for their undivided loyalty to Mnangagwa, forms the nucleus of a political machinery preparing the ground for an ED2030 campaign, a project aimed at extending Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutional limit of two terms.

Notably absent from both the program and the platform are veterans, military figures, and other long-serving ZANU PF cadres who have grown increasingly uneasy with Tagwirei’s rising political role and the growing cult of personality around Mnangagwa.

The Zvigananda takeover has deepened the party’s succession crisis, particularly irking Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who many believed was next in line after his pivotal role in the 2017 coup that brought Mnangagwa to power. 

While Chiwenga remains publicly silent, insiders say he is watching Tagwirei’s manoeuvres with growing unease.

Tagwirei’s recent appointment to the Central Committee, confirmed by party legal affairs secretary Patrick Chinamasa, was facilitated through back channels. Though nominated by Masvingo province, it was Harare Province — closely aligned with Mnangagwa — that cleared a slot for him, signalling how the President’s inner circle is shaping the party’s future trajectory.

Political analysts argue that the resurrection of the ED2030 slogan, once abandoned after public backlash, reflects a deliberate effort to entrench Mnangagwa’s hold on power — and effectively block Chiwenga’s presidential ambitions in 2028.

Meanwhile, the Vendors 4 ED, Hairdressers 4 ED, Pastors 4 ED, and even Children of War Veterans 4 ED , all paraded at the NUST event, are increasingly seen not as empowerment vehicles but as political instruments in a broader re-election strategy disguised as youth and women mobilisation.

By Crime and Courts Reporter — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of five of the six victims who perished in a horrific road accident involving a Honda Fit and a heavy truck in Headlands on Sunday evening.

The fatal crash occurred around 7:30 PM on June 23, 2025, near the Yorkshire area at the 142-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway. According to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, preliminary investigations suggest the Honda Fit driver was heading towards Mutare with five passengers when he attempted to overtake a tractor on a blind curve. In the process, the vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming Sino Howo truck.

All six occupants of the Honda Fit died on the spot. Their bodies were taken to Rusape General Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

On Tuesday, June 24, Commissioner Nyathi confirmed that five of the victims had been positively identified by their next of kin. They are:

• Portia Choto (29), a female adult from Chikanga 1, Mutare
• Kupakwashe Tandi, a male infant aged 3 months from Chikanga 1, Mutare
• Rudo Elizabeth Chafa (36), a female adult from Budiriro 5, Harare
• Prince Tashinga Makota (28), a male adult from Mutare Rural Camp, Mutare
• Wadzani Nyoni (37), a female adult from Budiriro 1, Harare

The identity of the sixth victim is still being verified and will be released once relatives have been informed.

Commissioner Nyathi extended the police’s condolences to the bereaved families and appealed to all motorists to adhere to road safety regulations, particularly avoiding dangerous overtaking on blind spots.

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted claims that senior officers are stealing food rations meant for junior officers, following a story published in a local daily under the headline “ZRP Bosses Steal Rations: Juniors.”

In a strongly worded press statement, the ZRP emphasized that the Commissioner-General of Police is not aware of any such allegations and is urgently seeking to verify the claims. The police leadership has called on anyone with credible and verifiable information to report directly and confidentially to Police General Headquarters.

“The Commissioner-General of Police is frantically trying to ascertain the veracity of the allegations,” reads the statement signed by Commissioner Nyathi P., Chief Staff Officer for Press and Public Relations. “Anyone with credible and verifiable information is free to personally come to Police General Headquarters and confidentially give the information directly.”

The police also assured the public and its members that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the rations facility. According to the statement, all police commanders have been made aware of these measures to ensure transparency and accountability.

The ZRP expressed appreciation for the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of police officers and reiterated that it does not condone any misuse of the support systems provided.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has revealed that Zimbabwe’s air ambulance service has already saved hundreds of lives, even as the government battles operational challenges, including a lack of local pilots.

Addressing Parliament recently, Mombeshora said the government’s air evacuation programme had airlifted hundreds of critically ill patients to major referral hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo since its launch.

“To date, 345 patients have been flown to the Harare base at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, while 66 patients were evacuated to the Bulawayo base at the United Bulawayo Hospitals,” he said. “These cases have included maternity complications, premature births, and other critical emergencies. Many lives have been saved.”

He added that plans were underway to expand the service by positioning more air ambulances in strategic regional centres such as Victoria Falls, Mutare, and Masvingo.

However, the health minister admitted that a shortage of pilots was hindering full operational capacity.

“There are currently no pilots for the helicopters,” Mombeshora said, highlighting the complexity and expertise required to operate the air ambulances.

“The air ambulance assets—namely the helicopters—are wholly owned by the government of Zimbabwe. Operating these aircraft requires highly technical expertise, including checks by IATA-certified engineering technicians before and after each flight.”

To address the shortfall, the government recently signed a contract with aviation firm Game Drive to provide certified pilots and technical staff. The company will also train Zimbabwean personnel to eventually take over operations from foreign experts, primarily Russian nationals who had been manning the programme.

“The objective is to ensure sustainability and build our own local capacity,” said Mombeshora.

The air ambulance service was introduced as part of broader efforts to improve emergency medical care and reduce preventable deaths, especially in rural and remote parts of the country where ground ambulance services are often limited.