Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

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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Source: Man jailed for exhuming aunt’s grave – herald

A 38-YEAR-OLD Goromonzi man has been jailed for six months after he dug up his aunt’s grave in a bizarre attempt to recover gold rings he believed she had been buried with.

Challenge Jasi pleaded guilty to violating a grave when he appeared before Murehwa magistrate Panashe Matongo.

Principal Public Prosecutor Mr Anesu Gwena told the court that Jasi exhumed the remains of his aunt, Rosina Dipazhi, who died in 2002 and was buried at Mermaid Pool Cemetery in Chief Chikwaka, Juru.

The court heard that on August 2, Jasi allegedly borrowed a hoe from his nephew at Chipunza Farm, claiming that he intended to collect traditional medicine from the forest.

However, he allegedly proceeded to Mermaid Pool Cemetery, where he dug up his aunt’s grave during the day in search of gold rings which he believed had been buried with her.

After exhuming the grave, Jasi allegedly removed several human remains, including the skull, ribs, tibia and fibula bones, as well as a green skirt and black petticoat.

He packed the remains and clothing into a sack before travelling to Harare.

The following day, August 3, at around 12.40pm, Jasi went to ZRP Highlands to make a follow-up on reports he claimed to have made earlier.

While he was being interviewed, Assistant Inspector Teredzerai Shonhai became suspicious and questioned him about the sack he was carrying.

Jasi subsequently confessed that the sack contained human remains, resulting in his arrest.

The court heard that his actions had resulted in the disturbance and desecration of his aunt’s grave.

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