Harare – Seven years have passed since the nation was plunged into mourning following the death of music icon Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, but for his widow, Daisy Mtukudzi, the legendary musician is never far away. The clock has marked seven years si…
Harare – Seven years have passed since the nation was plunged into mourning following the death of music icon Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, but for his widow, Daisy Mtukudzi, the legendary musician is never far away. The clock has marked seven years since the Black Spirits leader succumbed to diabetes on January 23, 2019, at the […]
Source: Over 2 000 businesses in court for consumer violations – herald Judith Phiri Zimpapers Business Hub OVER 2 000 errant businesses were prosecuted last year for exploiting consumers, following more than 12 inspections conducted by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC). This comes as the Government continues working to curb unfair business practices, as several […]
OVER 2 000 errant businesses were prosecuted last year for exploiting consumers, following more than 12 inspections conducted by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC).
This comes as the Government continues working to curb unfair business practices, as several violations continue to be uncovered, including the sale of counterfeit products and underweight goods, among others.
The rise of the informal sector has seen an increase in consumer complaints, particularly on social media, regarding businesses engaging in unscrupulous activities.
Responding to questions from this publication, CPC research and public affairs director, Mr Kudakwashe Mudereri, said common offences included trading of expired products and putting disclaimer clauses.
“As of the end of 2025, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) had done 12 627 inspections and prosecuted 2 271 businesses due to violating provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) Chapter (14:44).
“The main offences include selling expired products, putting disclaimer clauses such as No Returns, No refunds and No Exchange, not displaying prices, selling substandard or counterfeit products, among other offences,” he said.
He said the commission participated in the national task force on anti-smuggling and business malpractices and deployed its officers covering the country’s 10 provinces.
Mr Mudereri said they were actively addressing several cases concerning errant businesses.
“We have cases before the court where businesses are being prosecuted for refusing to give consumers refunds, which is now an offence under Section 18, 34 and 42 of the Consumer Protection Act. Other cases pending before the courts entail businesses caught selling expired products in Masvingo.
“Looking ahead, this year, we anticipate enhanced measures to combat consumer fraud and improve business accountability.
“Our initiatives include increased consumer education.”
He said the commission has expanded consumer awareness outreach programmes to inform the public (consumers) about their rights and how to report grievances.
Mr Mudereri said the programmes would target urban and rural areas, as well as the youth, elderly, marginalised groups and people living with disabilities.
“The commission will continue to work closely with businesses, consumer organisations and regulatory bodies to foster a fair marketplace, utilising the whole-of-Government approach. We are dedicated to protecting consumer rights and promoting fair business practices,” he said.
CPC’s main functions are to protect consumers from unconscionable, unreasonable, unjust, or otherwise improper trade practices, as well as deceptive, misleading, unfair, or fraudulent conduct.
Source: Raw milk output reaches 23-year high – herald Edgar Vhera and Tapiwa Mangwiro Zimbabwe’s commercial raw milk production hit a 23-year high of 122 million litres in 2025, with total output, including non-commercial production consumed at home, reaching 129 million litres. This reflects sustained recovery and structural improvement across the value chain as a […]
Zimbabwe’s commercial raw milk production hit a 23-year high of 122 million litres in 2025, with total output, including non-commercial production consumed at home, reaching 129 million litres.
This reflects sustained recovery and structural improvement across the value chain as a result of Government-facilitated and private sector-driven policies under the Second Republic.
Raw milk production rose 85 percent from 66 million litres in 2017 to 122 million litres last year.
Statistics released by the Dairy Services Unit (DSU) show that the country produced 111 million litres of the product in 2003.
Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) national chairman, Mr Edward Warambwa, said the country achieved a record monthly output of 11,4 million litres of milk in December.
“Notably, annual commercial milk production rose to 121,8 million litres in 2025, a figure that excludes an additional seven million litres of non-commercial milk produced and consumed at the household level.
“This brings the total milk production for the year to 128,8 million litres,” he said.
The ZADF commended dairy farmers for their steadfast commitment and resilience, which made this increase in milk production possible despite challenges experienced, such as rising production costs, limited financing options and deteriorating infrastructure.
Mr Warambwa said his members were concerned about the continued increase in the cost of production over the years, from around US$0,56 per litre in 2021, US$0,60 per litre in 2022, to the current US$0,63 per litre against unresponsive producer prices.
“Retail prices for Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) milk over the period have fluctuated from around US$1,10 per litre in 2021 to a high of US$1,75 per litre in 2024 and currently averaging US$1,35 per litre.
“Throughout much of 2025, the average cost of production stabilised at US$0,63 per litre, while the average producer price remained at US$0,58 per litre. Although this stability is a positive indicator, the persistent gap between production costs and producer prices raises concerns about the long-term viability of the dairy sector,” he said.
ZADF said the dairy sector employs 42 000 people while the dairy herd was approximately 67 000 cattle, of which 40 575 are milking cows.
“Zimbabwe has the potential to be milk self-sufficient from local production this year if critical issues related to milk pricing, cost of compliance and power supply access to suitable funding are addressed,” he said.
Monthly intake by processors remained consistently high throughout the year, averaging above nine million litres from July to December, indicating improved farm productivity and stable off-take arrangements.
The year opened with processor intake of 8,76 million litres in January, dipping slightly in February before gaining momentum from March onwards.
A notable acceleration occurred in the second-half of the year, with July (9,23 million litres) and August (9,40 million litres) marking a turning point.
Peak performance was recorded in December, when total milk produced for sale exceeded 11,41 million litres, the highest monthly output of the year.
Milk retailed directly by producers remained relatively stable, averaging between 700 000 and 780 000 litres per month, suggesting that formal processing channels continue to dominate market absorption.
However, the steady presence of direct retailing highlights the growing importance of small-scale and peri-urban dairy producers in meeting local demand.
Year-on-year comparisons show positive percentage differences across most months, particularly in the latter part of the year, with total milk volumes in October, November and December recording growth rates of 9,7 percent, 10,15 percent and 13,43 percent, respectively.
This trend underscores improvements in feed availability, herd management and climatic conditions.
Agronomist, Ms Pamela Macheka, attributed the strong performance to better on-farm practices.
“What we are seeing in 2025 figures is the payoff from improved pasture management, wider adoption of silage and commercial feed blends, and better extension support to farmers.
“If investment in genetics and irrigation continues, these gains are sustainable,” she said.
Overall, the 2025 figures point to a dairy sector that is regaining confidence, capacity and competitiveness, positioning it as a key contributor to agricultural growth and nutrition security.
Several factors are responsible for Zimbabwe’s impressive performance in the dairy sector.
In 2018, the Second Republic initiated the Command Livestock Programme under which the President handed over 660 heifers to 151 beneficiaries from Matabeleland South’s seven districts.
The Presidential Sileage Programme (PSP), facilitated by the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) and Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ), was also introduced to benefit 1 338 farmers.
The European Union-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme under its portfolio supported the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain for the Future (TranZDVC) project.
The project has mobilised and registered more than 4 000 new dairy farmers between 2019 and 2022 and introduced improved animal genetics to improve production and productivity when the project imported 500 in-calf heifers from South Africa between 2020 and 2021.
The dairy cows were distributed to different areas through a heifer matching grant facility.
TranZDVC procured 4 000 straws of sexed semen and 4 000 straws of conventional dairy semen.
Artificial insemination services are also being implemented as a breed improvement strategy.
The Government and development partners also introduced artificial insemination (AI) to reduce incidences of inbreeding and line breeding and introduced better gene pool into the country.
Source: Chivayo Rejects Mandiwanzira Claims About Gairezi Hydropower Project ⋆ Pindula News Wicknell Chivayo has rejected claims by Nyanga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira that he failed to deliver the Gairezi 30MW power plant in the Tangwena area after being awarded the tender during the time of former President Robert Mugabe. Speaking at a recent ZANU-PF […]
Wicknell Chivayo has rejected claims by Nyanga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira that he failed to deliver the Gairezi 30MW power plant in the Tangwena area after being awarded the tender during the time of former President Robert Mugabe.
Speaking at a recent ZANU-PF rally, Mandiwanzira said that if Chivayo had built the dam and hydro-power plant as expected, local communities would have benefited through jobs and increased tourism.
However, in a post on his social media pages on Wednesday, 21 January, Chivayo said the Gairezi 30MW Hydro Project was not awarded to him personally.
He said the tender was given to a consortium led by a multi-billion-dollar, Indian government-owned engineering company. Said Chivayo:
“The tender for the Gairezi 30 MW Hydro Project was not awarded to ‘CHIVAYO’ personally, but to a consortium led by an Indian Multi-billion dollar Government-owned engineering conglomerate, BHEL (Bharat Heavy Equipment Limited ), working together with Angelique International Ltd, while Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd participated as their local contractor.
“Like many local contractors across Africa, Intratrek rides on the CREDIBILITY, bankability and TECHNICAL CAPACITY of international OEM partners in order to achieve project delivery.
“In this case, that international credibility was precisely what made the consortium competitive and to be awarded the tender as the LOWEST compliant bidder to specification.”
Chivayo said the project could not proceed because of its high cost, which he estimated at US$113 million. He said:
“The fundamental issue that prevented implementation was challenges in achieving FINANCIAL CLOSURE.
“The project cost was USD 113 million for 30MW, which made the business case extremely DIFFICULT to finance when tested against the lenders’ requirements of Return on Investment, yield, asset return, plant load factor, and overall BANKABILITY.
“In simple terms, it is not enough to have a technically feasible hydro power plant.
“Financiers must be satisfied that the project has sustainable CASHFLOWS and repayment security.
“Unfortunately, the FINANCIAL MODEL struggled to meet that threshold.”
Chivayo said he lost money on the project, even though it never took off, due to the costly and lengthy bidding process, which required frequent international travel to original equipment manufacturers, mainly in India and other countries, before the final tender submission. He said:
“It is also important for both you and the general public to understand how projects like this actually work.
“Before any DISBURSEMENT is made, there are strict project finance requirements such as Letters of Credit, Advance Payment Guarantees, Performance Guarantees, supplier guarantees, OEM confirmations and technical milestones such as Factory Acceptance Tests and inspections for key equipment.
“As Contractors, we even incur substantial UPFRONT COSTS during the cumbersome bidding process for international travel to OEMs, often in India and elsewhere overseas, before the final tender submission.
“So if anything, Contractors also get DISAPPOINTED when projects stall, because we invest real money and expect a return out of it.
“We are always ready to execute because the more we CONSTRUCT and commission projects, the more we EARN through fairly reasonable margins.”
Chivayo said he received no payment from ZESA for the Gairezi project, as ZESA, through the government, prioritised high-yield power generation projects such as Hwange Units 7 and 8. He wrote:
“It is, however, understandable that in this case, ZESA, through Government, ultimately prioritised high-yield generation projects such as Hwange Units 7 & 8, which gave a total output of 600MW after project execution and commissioning.
“In simple terms, suffice it to say this explains why the Gairezi project and others such as Harare and Munyati Repowering Projects were held in abeyance.
“I therefore respectfully acknowledge your concerns as an Hon. Member, and I look forward to the project being REVISITED by the government and the most ideal funding structure being considered for its development.
“I hope this clarification assists the public to understand, and all those making SPECULATIVE comments suggesting that payments were made, should also be respectfully guided accordingly.”
Patrick Chitumba, pchitumba1@gmail.com THE Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has lauded Zvishavane Town Council (ZTC) for its tireless efforts in delivering quality services to residents and ratepayers through the implementation of resident-centred projects. During a recent tour of the nearly completed Makwasha Council Clinic, Minister Ncube commended the council’s commitment […]
THE Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has lauded Zvishavane Town Council (ZTC) for its tireless efforts in delivering quality services to residents and ratepayers through the implementation of resident-centred projects.
During a recent tour of the nearly completed Makwasha Council Clinic, Minister Ncube commended the council’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure in the area.
The clinic, which is now 95 percent complete, is expected to serve more than 10 000 people, providing essential health services such as maternal care, outpatient consultations and family planning.
Addressing town council management and councillors, residents and Government officials during the tour, Minister Ncube highlighted the clinic as a testament to the Second Republic’s dedication to modernising healthcare delivery and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being.
“The council-funded Makwasha Council Clinic here in Zvishavane is now at 95 percent completion. It will serve a population of more than 10, 000 people and 4 500 households with access to health services such as maternal care, out-patient consultations, family planning services and ante- and post-natal care,” he said.
Minister Ncube said in this regard, the town council complements the Second Republic’s commitment to the modernisation of health delivery, human capital development and the deployment of state-of-the-art medical equipment for health centres.
This, he said, is demonstrated through flagship programmes, which include the construction of Mataga Mini Hospital, one of the four modern rural hospitals in the country, as well as modern equipment support that includes X-ray machines, theatre, reproductive health and laboratory equipment for Gweru Provincial Hospital and Kwekwe, Zvishavane, Mvuma, Gokwe North and Gokwe South district hospitals.
“The Government has also decentralised nurse training to Muvonde, St Theresa, Mnene, Gokwe North and Gokwe South hospitals. We also have the private sector-led rural transformation through the construction of Nkatazo Hospital here in Zvishavane, Dr A Mnangagwa Clinic in Gokwe North, Edith Medical Centre in Kwekwe, among others,” he said.
The Second Republic, the Minister said, remains focused on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Number 3 on good health and well-being, and Vision 2030 under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, who recently launched NDS2 targeting ten national priority areas.
Minister Ncube said the infrastructure development and housing pillar targets the development, expansion, upgrading and maintenance of key social and economic infrastructure across the transport, energy, water and sanitation, ICT, health, education and housing sectors.
“In addition, NDS2 identifies regional integration through the implementation of the Devolution and Decentralisation Agenda as a key national priority pillar that aims at providing sustainable development and enhancing service delivery through the empowerment of local communities to enable them to contribute and decide on issues affecting their livelihoods,” he said.
Minister Ncube noted that, linked to this development strategy, President Mnangagwa launched the Call to Action: No Compromise to Service Delivery Blueprint in 2023, in an endeavour to accelerate, without compromise, accessible, quality and affordable service provision by all local authorities.
He commended ZTC for heeding this clarion call, as demonstrated by the speedy and impactful implementation of people-centred and results-oriented programmes and projects.
“The programmes and projects include urban renewal through the construction of Mandava Garden Flats, acquisition of two refuse compactors to enhance refuse collection, construction of a flea market to decongest vending in the CBD, Mabula sewer treatment plant, construction of a 2 x 2 classroom block at Highlands Primary School, installation of two water pumps to increase water pumping to 22 megalitres in response to increased demand in the town, procurement of an ambulance to add to the existing fleet and the acquisition of devolution-funded dozer, grader and fire tender,” he explained.
Minister Ncube commended the Second Republic for increasing the allocation of devolution funds to local authorities in the 2026 Budget to accelerate the expansion of health and education infrastructure in marginalised communities.
He urged local authorities to complement devolution funds with well-structured, widely consulted and transparent, technology-driven revenue generation systems, as well as the promotion of public-private partnerships to stimulate development in areas under their jurisdiction, guided by the New Dispensation’s value systems of commitment, hard and honest work, loyalty, patriotism and the development philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
“I implore residents to pay their council bills to enhance effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.
Minister Ncube also acknowledged and commended the First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa, for her unwavering commitment to community health and well-being, showcased through her unflinching support for early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases, provision of hospital equipment, anti-drug and substance abuse campaigns, and the promotion of healthy traditional cuisines.
“I assure you that, in view of the Second Republic’s massive developmental programmes and projects, the Midlands Province remains steadfast and resolute in support of the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy earlier than 2030 under the stewardship of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E D Mnangagwa,” he said.
