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The Great Licence Panic: Behind Zimbabwe’s Class 2 Driver Controversy It began with a single photograph of a pink slip. The image, captured on a mobile phone and shared via WhatsApp, showed a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Admission of Guilt receipt. The fine was staggering: ZiG 810. The offence? “Wrong class”. The driver, operating a […]

The post THE FULL DETAILS: Panic as Police fine motorist 810 ZiG for driving a light motor vehicle (Class 4) with a Class 2 Driver’s Licence first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

The Great Licence Panic: Behind Zimbabwe’s Class 2 Driver Controversy It began with a single photograph of a pink slip. The image, captured on a mobile phone and shared via WhatsApp, showed a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Admission of Guilt receipt. The fine was staggering: ZiG 810. The offence? “Wrong class”. The driver, operating a […]

The post THE FULL DETAILS: Panic as Police fine motorist 810 ZiG for driving a light motor vehicle (Class 4) with a Class 2 Driver’s Licence first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Source: Migrants make up just 4% of SA’s population, official data shows as anti-foreigner rhetoric intensifies — CITEZW

Migrant community leaders have accused anti-migrant groups of exaggerating the number of foreign nationals living in South Africa to fuel xenophobic sentiment, after official statistics revealed international migrants make up less than four percent of the country’s population.

The Zimbabwe Community in South Africa cited data presented by Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke during the South Africa National Migration Symposium (SAN-MIS) held on 26 June 2026, saying the figures challenge claims by anti-migrant groups that foreigners are overwhelming the country’s population and resources.

The data shows the number of immigrants in South Africa had reached 2.4 million by the 2022 Census. 

This represents approximately 3.9 percent of a total population of 63.1 million as estimated at mid-2025.

In his presentation, the Statistician-General said according to the 2022 Census, there were more than 2.4 million international migrants in South Africa, equating to just below four percent of the total population. 

Maluleke noted this aligns with the global average, where migrant populations typically make up about four percent of a country’s total.

Historical data shows the foreign-born population was recorded at 2.67 percent in the 1996 census, rose to approximately three percent in 2001, peaked at nearly five percent in 2011  and settled at 3.9 percent in the 2022 census.

Maluleke provided a detailed breakdown of the foreign-born demographic:

Zimbabwe accounts for 48.3 percent – approximately one million people

Mozambique –  approximately 400 000 residents

United Kingdom –  around 277 000 residents

Malawi –  198 000 residents

The top ten countries of origin are heavily dominated by SADC nations, including Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

Migrants from further afield, such as Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Somalia, make up much smaller numbers, generally ranging between 15 000 and 20 000 individuals.

“The statistics as shared by the Statistician General shows there is no crisis on migration in South Africa,” said Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena.

“As the census pointed out in 2022 that there are 63 million South Africans then it documented 2.4 million migrants which in our view is a small number. But the anti-migrants groupings want to make it as if there is now a serious crisis on migration.”

South Africa’s Statistician-General also said while international migration garners significant public attention, intra-national migration and fertility rates play a much larger role in provincial demographics.

Addressing a critical misconception, Maluleke clarified while 50 percent of international migrants entering South Africa choose Gauteng as their destination, the absolute largest contributor to the province’s overall population growth is actually internal migrants from Limpopo, not foreign nationals.

Similarly, in the Western Cape, population expansion is driven by an equal proportion of internal migrants from the Eastern Cape and international migrants. 

The Western Cape is projected to receive the second-highest inflow of migrants, with an estimated 500 347 people expected to move into the province between 2021 and 2026.

Maluleke stressed reliable migration statistics are essential for planning housing, infrastructure, healthcare, education and employment.

“Statistics enable us to move beyond perceptions and anecdotal evidence. They provide a factual basis for understanding migration trends and their impact on society, ensuring that policy interventions are informed by evidence,” he said.

The Statistician-General noted migration remains an important component of population change alongside births and deaths. 

According to Stats SA estimates, Gauteng is expected to experience the largest inflow of migrants between 2021 and 2026, with approximately 1.4 million people moving into the province during the period.

However, the migrant leader acknowledged a critical gap in the data.

“Of course we do not know the number of those that are not documented as this report does not bring that figure to the fore,” Mabhena said.

Mabhena’s remarks come amid escalating anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, with groups such as March and March organising campaigns against foreign nationals.

Reports in South Africa also stated that Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has also sought to debunk myths about immigration, noting that the 2.4 million figure “includes both documented and undocumented migrants.”

Maluleke also referenced the 2022/2023 Income and Expenditure Survey, a sample survey that indicated about 3.5 million foreign-born individuals, a slightly higher figure expected from sample-based extrapolations compared to the full census.

Meanwhile, reports in South Africa have highlighted divisions within the anti-immigration movement after former March and March leader Ngizwe Mchunu alleged the organisation is funded by a local political party and an international donor. 

The claims have been strongly denied by March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who challenged Mchunu to produce evidence.

According to South African reports, Mchunu said he believed the days of March and March were “numbered” and attributed his change in stance to a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“March and March is funded by a local political party and, what I can say is, they have two accounts. I will say all in time. For now, I have to fix the country. This government has collapsed, the economy is suffering, and I had to meet the president halfway. We are working together to fix things,” Mchunu was quoted as saying.

Responding to the allegations, Ngobese-Zuma said Mchunu should provide evidence rather than make unsubstantiated claims.

“We all know he is just an ANC project. He must stop saying he has proof and just show everyone the proof. It’s very simple. Instead of fighting with us, he should be clearing his name over claims that he was bribed, if it’s not true,” she said.

Separately, some analysts and media reports have suggested that family members and associates of former South African president Jacob Zuma have links to elements within the loose network of groups driving anti-immigration campaigns originating in KwaZulu-Natal. 

However, there is no evidence that Zuma himself has been involved in organising or directing the movement.

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Source: Concerns mount as newly rehabilitated roads develop potholes, while Govt defends contractor controls — CITEZW

Growing concern is mounting over the rapid deterioration of some newly rehabilitated roads, with citizens warning that sections of the country’s road network are already developing potholes and other defects shortly after completion.

In response, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development says contractors awarded road rehabilitation projects are only paid after engineers certify that the work meets the required standards.

The ministry also says all road construction contracts include a defects liability clause requiring contractors to repair any defects that emerge within the agreed liability period at their own cost.

These claims were made in the Senate on Thursday after legislators questioned the quality of recently rehabilitated roads, saying some were already developing potholes and other defects, prompting calls for greater accountability for contractors undertaking public infrastructure projects.

Matabeleland South Senator, Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa, asked what measures the ministry had put in place to ensure contractors delivering substandard work were held accountable.

“We realise that the roads that have been completed are deteriorating. What measures is the Minister using to hold contractors accountable for the substandard work that would have been done?” Mlotshwa asked.

Responding, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said the ministry only pays contractors after engineers certify that the work meets the required standards. 

“In most cases, where you see contractors starting to do shoddy work, we do not pay until we certify that the work has been done. It is the other way round; if you see shoddy work being done, the contractor is not paid until we certify that the work has been done accordingly,” Mhona said. 

The minister said contracts for road projects also contain a defects liability clause, which compels contractors to repair any defects that emerge before the agreed liability period expires. 

“There is a defects liability clause in our contracts so that if it deteriorates before the agreed time, you are supposed to redo the work,” he said. 

However, the minister said some roads that appear to have been poorly constructed are, in fact, resurfaced roads rather than newly reconstructed ones. 

Mhona explained that while a newly reconstructed road is designed to last about 20 years with routine maintenance every five years, resealed roads retain the original road structure beneath the new surface, making weak sections susceptible to potholes. 

“When we talk of road reconstruction, it means reconstructing a road from scratch… So, to a layperson, it is like shoddy work,” Mhona said. 

Earlier, Senator Solani Moyo also from Matabeleland South highlighted construction had halted on several roads, including sections of the Plumtree and Matopo roads, asking when the projects would be completed. 

Mhona acknowledged some projects had stalled but said work had resumed on parts of the Matopo Road, with all contractors expected to be fully mobilised in the coming weeks. 

He added that the government had approved a new infrastructure financing framework, which would provide funding for delayed road projects through financial institutions. 

“We now have a framework for funding our infrastructure. We have mobilised funding through banks and we will be funding those stalled projects,” Mhona claimed. 

The post Concerns mount as newly rehabilitated roads develop potholes, while Govt defends contractor controls — CITEZW appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Mbedzi remains in custody despite bail grant over expired passport hurdle —

National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Bhekimpilo Mbedzi remains in custody despite him granted bail by the Masvingo High Court on Monday, after a condition requiring him to surrender his passport became a new obstacle to his release.

Mbedzi was granted US$200 bail by Masvingo High Court Judge Christopher Dube-Banda, overturning an earlier decision by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court to keep him in custody. 

The ruling followed an urgent appeal by his lawyer, Patrick Tererai, who argued the activist had been denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial.

However, Mbedzi has not yet been released because his family has been unable to locate his passport, which is also understood to have expired. 

One of his bail conditions requires him to surrender the travel document.

Tererai told CITE that efforts were underway to have the passport-related condition removed, but the process has been delayed because the High Court is currently on vacation.

“The bail conditions had a requirement that he surrender his passport. His wife could not locate the passport at home and the passport is also expired, so we are working on having that condition removed. Unfortunately the High Court is on vacation and there’s a holiday,” Tererai said.

Asked whether this meant Mbedzi would remain in prison longer despite him granted bail, Tererai said: “Unfortunately. But I think Thursday after the holiday the alteration will be done.”

The delay means Mbedzi is expected to remain in custody until the court vacation period ends, despite the High Court having already determined that he should be released on bail.

Mbedzi was arrested at his Beitbridge home on 15 July 2026 before he was charged with incitement to commit public violence.

His arrest followed comments in which he called on Zimbabweans to reject the recently enacted Constitution Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3) that attracted criticism from many citizens, opposition activists, civil society organisations and some constitutional experts.

The NDWG had earlier indicated it was facilitating payment of the bail amount to allow Mbedzi to reunite with his family after the High Court ruling.

Political activist, Chilumbo Mudenda, criticised the continued detention of Mbedzi despite the bail order, describing the situation as a violation of his rights.

“We are actually dismayed and disgruntled by the way the Mnangagwa administration operates. Bhekimpilo Mbedzi was granted bail by the High Court in Masvingo on 3 August 2026 when he was appearing for the third time seeking bail at Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court. But up to today, he hasn’t been given the freedom he deserves,” he said.

Mudenda said the delay had revived painful memories among some people in Matabeleland of past cases involving political activists who remained detained despite legal developments in their favour.

“We still have the scars of Lookout Masuku, who was deemed and declared innocent of any treasonous charge by the High Court of Zimbabwe. The government denied him his freedom and they continued persecuting Lookout Masuku until he died,” said the political activist.

The political activist also criticised the passport condition, arguing that requiring Mbedzi to surrender an expired document was unreasonable.

“There is no point because they are citing a very useless statement saying, ‘you must surrender an expired passport to Masvingo High Court before they release him’,” Mudenda said.

Mudenda said Mbedzi was reportedly expected back in court on 18 August and called for respect for constitutional freedoms.

“This is a clear abuse of power. When somebody is granted bail, we expect that person to have his freedom, where freedom is not what we are witnessing. It’s absurd,” he said.

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