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Source: Thousands celebrate Defence Forces Day – herald

Herald Reporters

THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged stadiums across the country to commemorate the 46th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day anniversary, with colourful military parades and disciplined displays highlighting the armed forces’ role in safeguarding national peace and supporting development.

Celebrations were held under the theme; “ZDF Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030”.

While the main programme took place in Harare, provincial centres hosted parallel events where ministers read the President’s speech.

In Bulawayo, thousands gathered at White City Stadium for the provincial celebrations, featuring military precision, cultural performances and parades.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube inspected the guard of honour before delivering the President’s message.

Families, veterans, youth and senior officials arrived early, with many already inside the stadium by 8am. The programme began with the National Anthem, followed by inspection of the guard of honour mounted by members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) One Infantry Brigade.

In Matabeleland South, residents turned out at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda. The programme started with a march through the provincial capital to the venue.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, the guest of honour, inspected a parade consisting of four detachments of 27 members each, as well as the ZNA School of Music and military band.

He later read the President’s speech, emphasising the importance of peace and stability for national development. The celebrations also included recognition of liberation struggle supporters, with medals awarded to 20 non-combatant cadres and war collaborators.

In Matabeleland North, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo presided over celebrations at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane.

Hundreds of residents, traditional leaders, Government officials, service chiefs and veterans attended. Minister Moyo read the President’s speech as military displays and local musical performances entertained the crowd.

In the Midlands, provincial ZDF Day celebrations at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe were led by Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube. He inspected the guard of honour and delivered the President’s message to a crowd of officials, service chiefs, Zanu PF leaders, traditional leaders and members of the public.

The event featured cultural entertainment, including the Mbada Traditional Dance Group, a military traditional dance outfit from the ZNA’s 5 Infantry Brigade.

The festivities also reflected defence forces’ community support programmes, including the handover of a classroom block at Mapfungautsi Secondary School in Gokwe-Mapfungautsi last week.

In Mashonaland East, thousands packed Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera. By 7am, the venue was already full as artists entertained the crowds.

The commemorations were officiated by Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, who inspected the guard of honour before uniformed forces performed slow and quick marches. Advocate Ndudzo then read the 2026 Defence Forces Day commemorations speech, followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

In Mashonaland West province, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by personnel from the Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo (JZM) Air Force Base and Inkomo Mechanised Brigade.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo inspects the parade in Chinhoyi yesterday.

JZM Air Force Base Commander Air Commodore Ellen Chiweshe, Inkomo Mechanised Brigade Commander Brigadier-General Steward Kufa and Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Deputy Minister Jennifer Mhlanga were among senior officials who attended the commemorations, which attracted thousands of people. The celebrations also featured a football match between Chinhoyi-based FC Oden and army side Crocodile FC, which ended one-nil in favour of the latter. A capacity crowd thronged Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo yesterday in defiance of the cold weather to join the rest of the nation to celebrate Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day in style.

It was a day to remember for the people of Masvingo as merry-making dominated proceedings to mark the day reserved for honouring the nation’s defence forces. Proceedings to mark the day started with a parade comprising detachments from 4 Infantry Brigade marching to Mucheke, drawing onlookers by the road side.

Around mid-morning,the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira arrived at the stadium accompanied by service chiefs. He then inspected the parade accompanied by 4 Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Austin Chavani.

Minister Chadzamira then read the Presidential speech before the crowd was treated to perfect marches in quick and slow time by the parade.

The Minister then led service chiefs and other senior officials in conferring medals to over 200 ex-detainees, ex-restrictees and war collaborators for their role in the country’s independence.

The crowd was then treated to a mock battle by 4 Infantry Brigade soldiers involving a hostage rescue operation.

Proceedings to mark the day continued late into the day with a soccer match pitting a 4 Infantry Brigade soccer team and Masvingo United.

Overall, the nationwide celebrations reaffirmed the ZDF’s meaning as both a guarantor of security and a partner in Zimbabwe’s wider development agenda as the country drives toward Vision 2030.

The post Thousands celebrate Defence Forces Day appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Harare leads formal jobs recovery – herald

Tapiwanashe Mangwiro-Senior Business Reporter

Harare continues to anchor Zimbabwe’s formal employment landscape, recording the strongest employment performance among the country’s provinces during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the latest Employment Index released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.

The report paints a picture of a labour market that remains broadly stable, despite modest declines in formal employment during the quarter.

Harare and Masvingo emerged as the only provinces to post employment indices above the baseline level, underscoring the capital’s enduring position as the country’s economic hub.

Harare recorded an Employment Volume Index of 102.73, the highest in the country, followed by Masvingo at 101.71. Mashonaland East registered the lowest reading of 92.36, while Midlands and Bulawayo stood at 95.72 and 95.88, respectively.

The Employment Volume Index is a measure of how the number of formal jobs changes over time. An index above 100 means employment has grown compared with the base period, while an index below 100 indicates that fewer people are employed than in the base period.

Nationally, the provincial employment index eased to 99.10 in the fourth quarter, from 100.45 a year earlier, representing a 1.34 percent annual decline, while quarter-on-quarter employment slipped 1.11 percent from 100.21.

Even so, ZimStat noted that employment levels across provinces largely remained close to the base level, suggesting overall stability in the formal labour market.

The report also showed that Harare made the largest positive contribution to national employment movements during the quarter, at 0.83 index points, offsetting declines recorded in Mashonaland East, Midlands and Bulawayo.

Labour expert Mr Lionel Zororo said Harare’s performance was not unexpected, given the concentration of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, Government departments and service-oriented industries in the capital.

“Harare has always been the country’s largest formal employment centre because it hosts the bulk of high-value economic activity.

“As businesses continue to adjust to changing economic conditions, employers are naturally prioritising operations where markets, infrastructure and support services are strongest,” he said.

Mr Zororo said the relatively modest differences between provincial indices also suggested that Zimbabwe’s labour market remained resilient, despite prevailing economic headwinds.

“The encouraging aspect is that most provinces are still clustered around the baseline index. This indicates that, while some regions experienced slower hiring, there has not been a widespread collapse in formal employment. The focus should now be on creating conditions that attract more private sector investment into the provinces.”

Economist Mr Lester Mbiba said the latest figures highlighted the importance of accelerating decentralised economic development to broaden employment opportunities beyond the capital.

“Harare’s performance reflects its diversified economic base, but it also presents an opportunity for policymakers to strengthen growth poles in other provinces.

“Continued infrastructure investment, industrialisation and support for value-addition projects can help spread formal employment more evenly across the country,” he said.

Mr Mbiba said ongoing investments in mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism across various provinces could gradually narrow regional employment disparities over time.

“The data should be viewed as a benchmark rather than a cause for concern. Zimbabwe continues to see investment in productive sectors across the country, and, as these projects mature, they are expected to translate into additional formal employment opportunities.”

Across industries, formal employment remained relatively stable, although the overall Employment Volume Index slipped to 98.89 in the fourth quarter, reflecting a 1.50 percent decline from the corresponding period in 2024.

Employment gains were strongest in electricity supply, arts and recreation, and water supply services, while manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transport, and information and communication recorded lower employment levels than the base period.

ZimStat concluded that employment across both industries and provinces remained largely stable over the review period, although a modest contraction was recorded during the final quarter of 2025.

The agency said the index continues to provide an important short-term measure of developments in Zimbabwe’s formal labour market.

The post Harare leads formal jobs recovery appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Harare leads formal jobs recovery – herald

Tapiwanashe Mangwiro-Senior Business Reporter

Harare continues to anchor Zimbabwe’s formal employment landscape, recording the strongest employment performance among the country’s provinces during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the latest Employment Index released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.

The report paints a picture of a labour market that remains broadly stable, despite modest declines in formal employment during the quarter.

Harare and Masvingo emerged as the only provinces to post employment indices above the baseline level, underscoring the capital’s enduring position as the country’s economic hub.

Harare recorded an Employment Volume Index of 102.73, the highest in the country, followed by Masvingo at 101.71. Mashonaland East registered the lowest reading of 92.36, while Midlands and Bulawayo stood at 95.72 and 95.88, respectively.

The Employment Volume Index is a measure of how the number of formal jobs changes over time. An index above 100 means employment has grown compared with the base period, while an index below 100 indicates that fewer people are employed than in the base period.

Nationally, the provincial employment index eased to 99.10 in the fourth quarter, from 100.45 a year earlier, representing a 1.34 percent annual decline, while quarter-on-quarter employment slipped 1.11 percent from 100.21.

Even so, ZimStat noted that employment levels across provinces largely remained close to the base level, suggesting overall stability in the formal labour market.

The report also showed that Harare made the largest positive contribution to national employment movements during the quarter, at 0.83 index points, offsetting declines recorded in Mashonaland East, Midlands and Bulawayo.

Labour expert Mr Lionel Zororo said Harare’s performance was not unexpected, given the concentration of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, Government departments and service-oriented industries in the capital.

“Harare has always been the country’s largest formal employment centre because it hosts the bulk of high-value economic activity.

“As businesses continue to adjust to changing economic conditions, employers are naturally prioritising operations where markets, infrastructure and support services are strongest,” he said.

Mr Zororo said the relatively modest differences between provincial indices also suggested that Zimbabwe’s labour market remained resilient, despite prevailing economic headwinds.

“The encouraging aspect is that most provinces are still clustered around the baseline index. This indicates that, while some regions experienced slower hiring, there has not been a widespread collapse in formal employment. The focus should now be on creating conditions that attract more private sector investment into the provinces.”

Economist Mr Lester Mbiba said the latest figures highlighted the importance of accelerating decentralised economic development to broaden employment opportunities beyond the capital.

“Harare’s performance reflects its diversified economic base, but it also presents an opportunity for policymakers to strengthen growth poles in other provinces.

“Continued infrastructure investment, industrialisation and support for value-addition projects can help spread formal employment more evenly across the country,” he said.

Mr Mbiba said ongoing investments in mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism across various provinces could gradually narrow regional employment disparities over time.

“The data should be viewed as a benchmark rather than a cause for concern. Zimbabwe continues to see investment in productive sectors across the country, and, as these projects mature, they are expected to translate into additional formal employment opportunities.”

Across industries, formal employment remained relatively stable, although the overall Employment Volume Index slipped to 98.89 in the fourth quarter, reflecting a 1.50 percent decline from the corresponding period in 2024.

Employment gains were strongest in electricity supply, arts and recreation, and water supply services, while manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transport, and information and communication recorded lower employment levels than the base period.

ZimStat concluded that employment across both industries and provinces remained largely stable over the review period, although a modest contraction was recorded during the final quarter of 2025.

The agency said the index continues to provide an important short-term measure of developments in Zimbabwe’s formal labour market.

The post Harare leads formal jobs recovery appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Armed robbery suspect John Travolta arrested – herald

POLICE have arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with an armed robbery case in which a shop in Warren Park D, Harare, lost more than US$3 800 and ZiG1 200.

The suspect, identified as John Travolta, was arrested following a pursuit by members of the public shortly after the robbery on Saturday evening.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the arrest on its X account, saying the robbery occurred at Warren Park D Shopping Centre on August 8 at around 7pm.

“The ZRP confirms the arrest of John Travolta (34) in connection with a robbery case which occurred at Warren Park D Shopping Centre on 08/08/26 at around 1900 hours,” police said.

According to police, Travolta allegedly teamed up with an accomplice, who is still at large, and raided a shop while armed with a pistol.

The two suspects allegedly wore balaclavas to conceal their identities before threatening the shopkeeper and getting away with US$3 813 and ZiG1 200.

Members of the public reportedly gave chase and managed to apprehend Travolta, while his accomplice escaped.

Police later recovered part of the loot.

The post Armed robbery suspect John Travolta arrested appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Manager, loans officer face US$200k fraud charges – herald

A BRANCH manager and loans officer employed by a local financial services company have appeared in court facing fraud and money laundering charges after allegedly creating ghost accounts and using them to access loans worth about US$200 000.

Takudzwa Blessing Chikwature, the branch manager, and Michael Tinashe Mwoyondewenyu, a loans officer, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Estere Chivasa.

They were each granted US$200 bail and will return to court on September 1 for routine remand proceedings in Chegutu.

Oakfin Finance (Pvt) Ltd, represented by its head of credit and administration, Mr Dzingai Magama, is the complainant on the fraud charge.

The State alleges that on July 27, 2026, Belindah Ndlovu, who is employed by the company as a credit control officer, detected irregularities involving loan information on the company’s system relating to its Chegutu branch.

The branch is allegedly managed by Chikwature, while Mwoyondewenyu works as a loans officer.

Ndlovu reportedly questioned Mwoyondewenyu about the anomalies, but he denied any involvement in tampering with the company’s system.

On August 8, 2026, Magama, together with Ndlovu, allegedly travelled to Chegutu to verify the loan information with the two accused persons.

The State alleges that after conducting a thorough verification, they discovered that the accused had allegedly created ghost accounts which were made to appear as genuine clients eligible to apply for loans.

It is alleged that the two accused were in control of the accounts and, on different occasions, used them to apply for loans.

After the loans were approved and disbursed, the accused allegedly collected the money and converted it to their personal use.

The State alleges that the total amount involved in the alleged fraud was about US$200 000.

Four motor vehicles allegedly purchased using proceeds of the fraud, with a combined value of US$16 000, were recovered from the accused persons and are being held at CID Chegutu as exhibits.

On the second count of money laundering, the State is represented by Detective Assistant Inspector Murandu of the CID Asset Forfeiture Unit, Northern Region.

The State alleges that between January and August 2026, the accused acquired loans through fraudulent activities and used part of the money to buy four vehicles.

The vehicles are a cream Honda Fit, a silver Honda Fit, a white Nissan Caravan and a white Honda Fit.

All four vehicles were subsequently recovered from the accused and are being held as exhibits.

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