Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Sales representative steals from employer, makes false robbery report – herald

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

A Blue Phoenix Distributors sales representative has appeared in court on allegations of stealing US$3 036 from his employer before making a false robbery report to conceal the crime.

Blessing Makanyanga (30) was remanded out of custody and will be back in court on March 26 for trial commencement.

Blue Phoenix Distributors is a duly registered company represented by Mr Allan Wheeler. The company deals in the distribution of various groceries.

On November 25, 2025, Makanyanga was given various food products to sell in Harare and he handed over cash amounting US$75 instead of US$1 075.

The court heard that Makanyanga disclosed that he was going to collect the balance of US$1 000 from his clients.

On November 25, 2025, he advised Mr Wheeler that he had sold products worth US$2 036 and was not able to bring the money as his truck had broken down in Domboshava.

On November 26 2025, Makanyanga reported for duty, and instead of handing cash for sales made from the previous day, he advised Mr Wheeler that he had been robbed of cash amounting to US$2 036 and the other US$1 000 he had collected from clients.

It is alleged that Mr Wheeler was not convinced and he alerted detectives from CID Residential.

On November 27, 2025, the detectives interviewed Makanyanga and they established that he had made a false robbery report at Mabelreign Police Station under reference RRB66116376 to conceal the offence.

Makanyanga voluntarily led police to the recovery of cash amounting to US$1 885 and a company receipt book he had hidden in his bedroom in Dzivarasekwa Extension, Harare.

The recovered cash was seized and seizure forms were issued to the accused person.

The total cash stolen is US$3 036 and US$1 885 was recovered.

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Source: Zimbabwe shifts focus from donor funding to private sector financing -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 18 (NewsDay) – Zimbabwe is transitioning from traditional donor support to sustainable financing models, with government, business and development partners outlining new approaches at a high-level United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) consultative meeting in Harare.

The discussion, moderated by UNDP Zimbabwe Resident Representative Dr Ayodele Odusola, focused on shifting from short-term funding to long-term financing under the proposed Country Programme Document (CPD) 2027–2031.

Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, said Zimbabwe must rethink development support as financing rather than free aid, introducing what he termed a “payback rule”.

“Currently, almost everything from development partners is treated as free. That’s where we are getting it wrong,” he said.

Muguti added that programmes such as village business units should operate as commercial entities capable of generating returns.

“We need to move away from social contracts towards commercial contracting so that output has economic value and a market,” he said.

He also stressed the need for policy consistency, stronger monetary and regulatory frameworks, and blended financing models combining government, development finance institutions and the private sector.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) CEO Chris Mugaga said the country’s predominantly small-scale economy requires tailored financing models.

“Most businesses need less than US$600 000, which shows the economy is largely small-scale,” he said.

Mugaga emphasised that access to markets is as critical as financing.

“The best form of funding now is market access. Without demand, financing deals don’t make sense,” he said.

He cited key challenges including high borrowing costs, limited access to affordable credit and exchange rate risks, calling for concessional and longer-term capital, as well as local currency funding.

African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Manager Eyerusalem Fasika said the shift is necessary as donor resources decline.

“We have relied on donor funding, but it is drying up. We must think differently,” she said.

Fasika urged Zimbabwe to mobilise private investment — domestic, foreign and diaspora — and adopt innovative instruments such as infrastructure and diaspora bonds.

She added that macroeconomic stability, debt resolution and a conducive investment climate are essential to unlocking long-term financing.

“It is important to maintain macroeconomic stability and create an environment that supports private sector investment,” she said.

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Source: ZANU PF, state actors dominate rights abuses — ZPP -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 18 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwe recorded 104 human rights violations affecting 3,201 people in February, with state institutions and ZANU PF-linked actors responsible for most abuses, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) reports.

Violations — including torture, assault, enforced disappearances and restrictions on freedoms — were concentrated in Harare, Manicaland and Matabeleland North.

Of the victims, 1,651 were women (24 with disabilities) and 1,550 men (14 with disabilities), highlighting the broad impact across society.

ZANU PF accounted for 35.46% of violations, followed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (21.12%), largely through intimidation, coercion and interference with freedoms of assembly, association and expression.

Local councils made up 15.14% of cases and school authorities 11.55%, with traditional leaders at 6.37%. Other government officials and suspected state agents each accounted for 3.59%, the Zimbabwe National Army 1.20%, and other actors 1.99%. Another 1.99% were unidentified.

“The data highlights the systemic role of state and politically affiliated actors, raising concerns over accountability, personal security and citizens’ participation in civic life,” ZPP said.

Harare recorded the most cases (30), followed by Manicaland (17) and Matabeleland North (16). Masvingo had 11, Mashonaland East 8, Mashonaland West 7, Mashonaland Central 6, while Bulawayo and Midlands recorded four each. Matabeleland South had one.

ZPP said violations were highest in urban and politically contested areas, underscoring the need for targeted monitoring and protection.

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Source: Gender, human rights commissions merger lawful: AG -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 18 (NewsDay Live) – Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza says the planned abolition of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and its merger into the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is lawful and will strengthen  not weaken  rights protection.

The proposal has sparked debate, with the Zanu PF Women’s League urging a rethink over fears it could dilute focus on gender issues.

Mabiza rejected those concerns.

“The legal advice from this office is clear and constitutionally grounded: the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission already protects all human rights, including functions of the Gender Commission,” she said.

“Gender equality and women’s rights are core — not peripheral. The transfer creates no gap or loss of protection.”

She said the reform would streamline oversight and improve efficiency.

“This is a lawful, forward-looking reform that builds a stronger, leaner institution.”

Mabiza added the merger would cut duplication and boost enforcement.

“It eliminates fragmentation and concentrates limited resources into a single body with greater authority and visibility.”

She, however, said Parliament would scrutinise the proposals.

“Concerns about maintaining a dedicated focus are valid and will be fully examined. Nothing in the Bill is final.”

Mabiza also urged the public to rely on the officially gazetted Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, published on February 16, 2026, following Cabinet approval.

The Bill proposes changes to sections 92, 95, 143 and 158 of the Constitution, mainly targeting the timing and conduct of national elections.

She said the amendments seek to address structural issues in Zimbabwe’s harmonised electoral cycle, which links the terms of the Presidency, Parliament and local authorities.

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Source: Zim moves to deepen trade ties with Uganda -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 18 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe is stepping up trade diplomacy with Uganda, as officials and business leaders push to turn long-standing political ties into concrete commercial deals to boost exports, investment, and industrial cooperation.

Trade between the two countries remains heavily skewed in Uganda’s favour. Zimbabwe imported goods worth US$829,206.02 from Uganda, against exports of US$109,869.63, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe–Uganda Business Forum on Wednesday, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the platform should translate strong bilateral relations into tangible economic gains.

“Let us use this forum to turn our strong friendship into concrete business opportunities that benefit our peoples,” he said, expressing confidence the engagements would unlock new trade and investment avenues.

Ziyambi said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy prioritises trade promotion, with diplomats positioned as drivers of economic transformation.

ZimTrade chief executive Allan Majuru said bilateral trade has strong growth potential, with partnerships expected to go beyond improving statistics to advancing regional integration.

“They can help build a more integrated, self-reliant African economy better positioned in global trade,” he said, urging stronger planning and use of existing cooperation networks.

Majuru stressed the need to expand value addition and participation in regional value chains, saying this would drive jobs, productivity, foreign currency earnings, and industrial growth.

Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa, Paul Amoru — also accredited to several Southern African countries including Zimbabwe — said the forum would foster practical business linkages and shared prosperity.

He highlighted the role of Uganda’s diaspora, estimated at over 1.6 million globally, and called for greater investment-driven partnerships.

Amoru identified manufacturing, agro-processing, medical services, education, and air transport as high-potential sectors for collaboration.

“These sectors can generate jobs, reduce poverty, and integrate our economies into mainstream financial systems,” he said.

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