Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: All set for 46th Defence Forces Day – herald

Joseph Madzimure

Zimpapers Politics Hub

PREPARATIONS for the 46th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations to be held next Tuesday are on course, with all arrangements now in place, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.

President Mnangagwa is expected to lead proceedings as the guest of honour and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

In an interview yesterday, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri encouraged members of the defence forces and the public to remain united in defending the country’s peace, security and territorial integrity under the philosophy, “Nyika inodzivirirwa nevene vayo”.

“The main commemorations will be held at Rufaro Stadium where President Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour,” she said.

“Celebratory events will also be held across all the country’s 10 provinces and will be presided over by the Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.”

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri called on the public to attend the commemorations in large numbers, saying an exciting programme had been lined up for the day.

The celebrations will feature military parades, displays by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and performances by civilian artistes, while stringent security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of those in attendance.

“We look forward to exciting and memorable commemorations. The major highlight of the commemorations will be the speech by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr Mnangagwa”.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the ZDF would showcase their capabilities through military drills and ceremonial displays that reflect their preparedness and professionalism.

In addition to the military activities, there will be a soccer match at Rufaro Stadium between the ZDF select and the Namibian Defence Forces Team, as part of the afternoon programme.

The minister said the commemorations build on the annual Zimbabwe Defence Forces Community Assistance Week, which runs from August 3 to 7 and forms part of the military’s contribution to national development.

Under the programme, the defence forces have been handing over completed community projects, including schools and other public infrastructure, in all the country’s 10 provinces.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said beyond its traditional security role, the ZDF continues to contribute significantly to national development through various socio-economic programmes.

“They also support national development through disaster response, infrastructure projects, healthcare, and peacekeeping,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the ZDF have played a critical role in disaster management, landmine clearance, infrastructure development and humanitarian support, helping improve the lives of communities.

She paid tribute to serving and retired members of the ZDF, as well as their families, for their dedication and sacrifices in service of the nation.

“Professionalism is reinforced through continuous training, military education, and strict adherence to the regulatory framework.

“International cooperation also helps maintain high professional standards as it enables us to exchange notes on pertinent issues,” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said.

Meanwhile, the ZDF is strengthening its capacity to respond to emerging threats such as cybercrime, terrorism, organised crime and climate-related disasters.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said her ministry was investing in specialised training, modern technologies and regional co-operation initiatives to ensure the ZDF remain prepared to tackle evolving security challenges while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and supporting national development.

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Source: VP Mohadi reassures business on taxes – herald

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu

Matabeleland South Bureau

VICE PRESIDENT Dr Kembo Mohadi has assured the business community that Government is working to address tax and levy burdens identified as major obstacles to growth, as Zimbabwe steps up efforts to create a more conducive investment climate.

Speaking yesterday at the Zanu PF Matabeleland South Province National People’s Conference fundraising luncheon held at the Gwanda Tshitaudze Constituency Centre, Cde Mohadi, who is the party’s Second Secretary urged the business community to be in the structures and play an active role in influencing policies and decisions that shape the country’s development.

The input of the private sector was crucial in enhancing development in the country.

The event, held to raise US$150 000 towards the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference scheduled for October 12 to 17 in Chinhoyi, brought together stakeholders across several sectors and met the target.

“Zanu PF, which is Government as well as the ruling party, was tasked to create a conducive environment for business to thrive and that’s why we have come up with a number of initiatives to ensure ease of doing business in Zimbabwe,” said VP Mohadi.

“We engaged and re-engaged, and as a result, investors came into the country.

“I have heard concerns raised by the private sector during this engagement over taxes and levies, which are high, thereby affecting business growth.

“We are seized with this matter and fortnightly the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion comes with a list of some taxes and levies that can be scrapped or reduced.

“As we speak, some have been reduced or totally removed,” he said.

VP Mohadi said the Government was also in the process of looking into the issue of high interest rates.

He said companies needed credit lines to operate, but some are being choked by high interest rates.

Government was tackling this issue through Statutory Instruments issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The Vice President said Government recognised the role of the private sector in the attainment of Vision 2030, which fulfils the mantra: “Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”.

In attendance was the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, Zanu PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Omphile Marupi, Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzi Phuti, political leaders, faith leaders, heads of Government departments and the business community.

The event coincided with a business policy engagement where members of the business community raised their concerns.

VP Mohadi said the input of the private sector was crucial to the success of the conference.

“I call upon the business community to interest itself in the politics of the day because by doing so you can influence business of the day.

“The party is supreme and what Government does comes from the party. Therefore, you have to use the Zanu PF party platform. If you contribute to the party meaningfully, you can influence decisions, which will also help you as you work,” he said.

VP Mohadi did raise concern over low corporate social responsibility activities by the business community in the province. He said roads have been heavily damaged in the province because of haulage trucks moving to mines, but little was being done by mining companies to maintain the roads.

He also raised a concern over environmental degradation caused by mining in the province.

“We appreciate the development, which comes with your investment as we see employment creation and infrastructure development but there is also need for us to work together. You can’t expect Government to rehabilitate these roads or fix other damages that you would have caused during your operations,” he said.

Cde Ndlovu said the fundraising and business policy engagement was held to ensure that views from the private sector are included in the resolutions that will be submitted at the National People’s Conference.

“Today the party is meeting the business community as we are building momentum to hold the National People’s Conference. In the past we have been going with resolutions that capture the views of the party, but we have been leaving out the business community.

“We want to develop this year’s resolutions with your input. If possible, let’s hold these engagements regularly,” he said.

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Source: Phased cancer treatment services expansion begins – herald

Debra Matabvu

Senior Reporter

THE phased expansion of cancer treatment services has begun, with the programme set to extend to provincial and district referral hospitals countrywide by year-end in a move tailored to strengthen specialised oncology services.

Already, the Government has acquired and received two high-energy Linear Accelerators (LINACs), advanced radiotherapy machines for Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals, while it is finalising the procurement of advanced cancer diagnostic equipment for the two institutions.

Following the installation of the equipment at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals, the programme is set to extend to Gweru Provincial Hospital and Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare, before being rolled out to other hospitals across the country.

The cancer treatment programme is being implemented in three phases, namely the procurement of radiotherapy machines, the acquisition of diagnostic equipment and the rollout of treatment services to all provinces.

The development comes as Government continues investing in health infrastructure, equipment and specialist services aimed at improving healthcare delivery and health outcomes for Zimbabweans.

The acquisition of the cancer treatment machines is being funded through the sugar tax, introduced in 2024 and levied on beverage manufacturers, which is specifically earmarked to finance the purchase of cancer treatment equipment.

In an interview yesterday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the programme was progressing well.

“So far, we have managed to procure machines for both Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals, which are major hospitals in the country,” Professor Ncube said.

“These are both high-energy and then low-energy machines for different types of cancers.

“We are also acquiring just simple diagnostic machines, and also machines for doing a simulation in terms of treatment. That procurement is in progress. These are the scanning machines, MRI scan machines, among others.”

Professor Ncube said the next phase would focus on decentralising cancer treatment services.

He added: “What needs to really then happen beyond those two stages is the rollout to the provinces. So that is the third phase.

“I think by the end of the year, we will have covered a few more hospitals beyond these two. Gweru Hospital, Victoria Chitepo Hospital in Mutare will also be covered. That is the plan, and we will keep growing those services. We will target provincial hospitals first, then we cascade to districts much later.”

Professor Ncube also said the decentralisation of cancer treatment services was being complemented by the hospital rehabilitation programme currently underway.

“We have a programme already for infrastructure upgrade that is infrastructure upgrade at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo,” he added. “Infrastructure upgrade in Mpilo. And this, again, in the next six months, you will see major progress in those two facilities.

“But then there are other facilities that are being built all around the country, be it health clinics, Lupane Provincial Hospital, among others. There is just so much else happening on the infrastructure.”

The ongoing works at the various hospitals are in line with President Mnangagwa’s pledge at the start of the Second Republic to prioritise the rehabilitation and modernisation of Zimbabwe’s public health infrastructure, starting with the flagship referral centre.

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Source: Manhize enters cement production – herald

Patrick Chitumba

Midlands Bureau Chief

ZIMBABWE is set to boost its cement production as the giant Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) plant in Manhize expands its production portfolio to manufacture up to 400 000 tonnes of cement annually, a move aimed at deepening the country’s drive towards value addition and full utilisation of steel by-products.

The company continues to invest in the massive project, with the planned cement plant expected to use by-products from steel production as raw materials, further enhancing the integrated nature of the operation.

Increased cement production buttresses the growing construction sector under the Second Republic, where the Government and private sector are leading major public infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, clinics and hospitals, as well as massive housing development.

Meanwhile, Phase Two of the Dinson Plant project is expected to commence production of bolts, nuts and mesh wire before the end of the year, broadening the range of downstream products manufactured at the Manhize complex.

Zimbabwe is already saving thousands of dollars annually on steel imports since the company became operational.

Disco’s expanded portfolio, which includes pig iron, steel billets, and deformed bars, positions the company as a key supplier to downstream industries.

Once fully operational, Disco is set to become one of the largest steel producers in sub-Saharan Africa.

The company’s project manager, Mr Wilfred Motsi, revealed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists who are part of the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services media tour covering development projects in the Midlands Province.

“Plans are underway by Disco to start cement production in October this year. We are looking at the production of 400 000 tonnes annually and it’s on schedule,” he said.

“The primary steel and iron-making by-product used in cement is steel slag, specifically blast-furnace slag, among others.”

Mr Motsi said they were currently generating about 70 megawatts of electricity from two sources.

“The first is thermal energy, with coal as the source of fuel. The second utilises heat and gases from the steel plant to heat water, which produces 40 megawatts,” he said.

“We have sufficient energy even for other players. We are in the process of synchronising to feed excess power into the national grid. We will be supporting the national grid.”

Mr Motsi said the investment is ongoing as the project is still in the development phase.

In terms of employment, he said 60 percent of the workforce are locals who have benefitted from on-the-job training, adding that soon they will be tested to get proper qualifications for the jobs they were trained to do.

“We have conducted on-the-job training. We want to certify them; 60 percent of the trainees are from the local area, while 40 percent are from across the country and tertiary institutions,” he said.

Mr Motsi said the company is also constructing an access road to the mine site and is working towards completing the road by the end of August.

He said before the end of the year, the company will enter phase two of production.

“The plant will produce pig iron and steel billets, wire rods for various wire products, and rebar as a structural base for reinforcement. It will also produce angle irons and other steel products, as well as slag for cement production,” Mr Motsi said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana, said while the ministry was aware of media coverage, more needs to be done to tell the Disco development story.

“The Dinson story has been spoken about. We don’t believe it has been told enough because something new is happening every day,” he said.

Mr Mangwana said the 800-hectare Special Economic Zone can benefit more than 300 downstream companies that can be manufacturing products such as fencing, roofing, fabrication, foundries, and other related industries.

“Disco is producing slag, ash and other by-products, and a lot of companies should be leveraging the presence of Dinson.

Dinson is already manufacturing its products, yet local industry is sleeping,” he said.

“Where are the entrepreneurs who are supposed to manufacture other products such as fencing, just like in Kwekwe where we had companies that benefitted from the existence of ZISCO? It should be the same here. There are a lot of incentives that come with Special Economic Zone status.

“Of course, there is the story of employment creation and the US$100 million import substitution. Where we were supposed to spend US$100 million importing steel products, we are now channelling that money into importing something else. It’s a good story and we need to tell that story.”

Mr Mangwana said the media should also amplify new products or developments such as the production of the pig iron and mash wire plant and a cement manufacturing plant, for example.

“It’s the first of its kind and the people should read and see such developments in the media,” he said.

Dinson chief executive officer, Mr Benson Xu, said a lot of change is taking place at the Manhize Steel Plant since the commissioning of the project by President Mnangagwa two years ago.

“You can see a lot of products being churned out. We have started delivering products to the domestic market and for export as well.

“Since we started production, we have produced pig iron, steel billets, and rebar, among others,” he said.

Mr Xu said the first phase of the project saw the production of various products and distribution of the said products to clients, not only in Zimbabwe but in the regional market.

This, he said, means that Zimbabwe no longer needs to import steel products.

“So, we are talking about the import substitution agenda. We work closely with the Government of Zimbabwe. They give us support to achieve this success, and we are grateful to the Government,” he said.

Mr Xu said the company was aligned to NDS1 and is now contributing towards NDS2 and the industrialisation agenda in line with Vision 2030.

“We are playing our role as a steel manufacturing company. With steel, logistics, and power generation, we are happy to be a major player.

“This is a Special Economic Zone and we want to see more products and more players coming in. We are inviting industrialists, both local and foreign, to come and benefit from the Special Economic Zone status that we have,” said Mr Xu.

The Manhize Steel Plant is set to become one of Africa’s largest integrated steelworks.

Disco is one of the Zimbabwean subsidiaries of Tsingshan Holding Group, the global stainless-steel powerhouse headquartered in China.

Tsingshan also operates Dinson Colliery in Hwange, Matabeleland North, and Afrochine Smelting in Selous, Mashonaland West.

The media tour continues today with visits to other development programmes in Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Kwekwe.

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Source: Churches have Govt support, says President – herald

Zvamaida Murwira

Senior Reporter

GOVERNMENT is committed to creating an enabling environment for churches to exercise freedom of worship so that they do not only flourish, but also play their part in socio-economic activities to modernise and industrialise the country, President Mnangagwa has said.

Officially opening new church buildings for AFM in Zimbabwe Vineyard Church Assembly in Norton yesterday, the President said churches had always been dependable partners in the country’s national development in the quest to attain an upper middle-class income economy by 2030.

The state-of-the-art two-storey and 1 000-seater church building was constructed through the help of President Mnangagwa, who provided financial support.

Yesterday, he also donated a 30-seater bus and two vehicles for use at the church.

“To the national leadership of the AFM, I once again commend you for the good relations between AFM in Zimbabwe and my Government. On our part as a people-centred Government, we commit to creating an enabling environment for the freedom of worship and ensuring that churches can flourish across various socio-economic endeavours,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Religious institutions can be assured of Government support as they play their part towards the realisation of the ongoing quest to lift many of our communities into prosperity and entrenching sound cultural norms and national values.”

He said there was need to remain as a harmonious nation for the achievement of national objectives.

“Together, as a peace-loving people and God-fearing nation, let us never tire in building, modernising and industrialising our motherland, Zimbabwe. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forever more,” said President Mnangagwa.

He described the church as critical in shaping communities, in particular the attainment of unity.

“The AFM in Zimbabwe, along with other churches and denominations, are dependable partners in our ongoing national development agenda. It is where character is shaped, families strengthened, and communities unite,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Your role in supporting the vulnerable and widows, guiding the youth, comforting the sick and preaching the gospel of peace should be expanded in support of the people-centred programme and projects of Government. The attainment of Vision 2030 towards a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society needs all of us to work in one accord.”

He commended the leadership of the AFM in Zimbabwe for the stewardship that they continued to show in guiding the church through seasons of growth and transformation.

“The 2026 theme, “The year of excellence and impact,” is an important exhortation towards serving well in all that we do for the greater good. Individually we were created for a purpose and collectively, we have a duty to harness our different gifts in a way that gives glory to the Almighty God. We must be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world,” said President Mnangagwa, quoting the Bible.

He said at a time when the nation, communities and families are searching for life answers, AFM and other churches should continue to “pursue the Great Commission, never growing weary in doing good for the expression and growth of the Kingdom of God”.

The President said the church had a huge role in observance of peace and unity in communities.

“The church is further challenged to amplify the current calls for national peace, unity and sustainable national development. Semakereke emunyika ose, ngatiparidzei runyararo, kubatana, nekushanda nesimba kuti nyika yedu ibudirire. Tenzi akati muna Genesis 3 verse 19, Uchadya zvokudya zvako neziya rechiso chako,” said President Mnangagwa.

He congratulated Pastor Shame Mupunga and the entire congregation at the Vineyard Assembly for the successful completion of the church building.

“The dedication, tireless labour, unity of purpose, faith and prayers have seen you realise this success. It is my expectation that the assembly will be a beacon of light where many people from Norton and surrounding areas will come to be nurtured and equipped for the Christian faith as well as to be guided to live out their purpose for the good of our communities and the country as a whole”.

President Mnangagwa urged the church to scale up its outreach programmes, particularly targeting young people.

“Community discipleship, support and transformed lives should be evident among those who pass through the gates of this church and your missionary work. I particularly exhort you to scale up outreaches for vibrant youth and young adults so that more of our young people follow the Christian faith,” he said.

“Equally, I urge my fellow countrymen and women, the young and the elderly alike to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added unto us. We must nurture spiritual growth, prepare and equip ourselves for works that are pleasing to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

President Mnangagwa said he was happy to have made his contribution to the construction of the church.

“I am pleased to advise that I had the gracious opportunity to donate resources to AFM in Zimbabwe towards the construction of this building. In addition, I am handing over a brand-new 30-seater bus to the Vineyard Assembly and a vehicle for the church’s outreach programmes,” he said.

“I trust that these assets will enable the church to meet the vital spiritual needs in this growing community to reach the sick and vulnerable with greater efficiency.”

The event was attended by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, National State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West Cde Marian Chombo, Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial leadership led by chairperson Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, AFM in Zimbabwe leadership led by its president, Bishop Amon Madawo, among others.

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