Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

HARARE – Political commentator and pro-ZANU-PF activist Rutendo Benson Matinyarare has described the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 as a calculated political strategy aimed at consolidating power around President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In an analysis shared on his platform, Matinyarare argues that the amendment is designed to shield the President from growing political vulnerability, pointing to what he says is a notable disparity between ZANU-PF’s strong parliamentary performance and Mnangagwa’s comparatively weaker personal vote in the 2023 general elections.

He contends that while the ruling party secured a commanding legislative presence, the President’s individual electoral appeal did not reflect the same level of support, raising concerns about his viability as a candidate in future polls.

Matinyarare further warns that Mnangagwa, whom he describes as an ageing leader, risks losing the 2028 elections if the party does not recalibrate its leadership strategy. He attributes this risk to a combination of factors, including stalled or underperforming infrastructure projects, an overemphasis on political campaigning at the expense of tangible development outcomes, and what he alleges to be state-tolerated political violence.

According to the analyst, these issues have contributed to waning public confidence, particularly among younger voters who are increasingly demanding economic opportunities, service delivery, and accountable governance.

He suggests that ZANU-PF may need to consider transitioning to a younger presidential candidate capable of reinvigorating the party’s image and broadening its electoral appeal ahead of the next general election cycle.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which has sparked debate in political and legal circles, is widely viewed as part of a broader set of reforms with potential implications for governance, executive authority, and electoral dynamics in Zimbabwe.

While government officials have defended constitutional amendments in general as necessary for administrative efficiency and policy alignment, critics argue that such changes risk being perceived as tools for political entrenchment if not accompanied by broad-based public consultation.

Matinyarare’s remarks add to a growing chorus of voices within and outside the ruling party engaging in early positioning ahead of the 2028 elections, underscoring the fluid nature of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.

“Politics has no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests,” Matinyarare noted, framing his critique as part of a broader strategic reflection on the future of the ruling party.

The post Rutendo Questions Amendment Bill, Warns Mnangagwa Faces 2028 Election Risk appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

NEW YORK — Relief is ripping through financial markets Monday after President Donald Trump said the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war. Oil prices are easing, and stock prices are jumping on Wall Street following severe losses elsewhere in the world before Trump’s announcement.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude fell 8% to $103.23, down from nearly $120 last week, after Trump said on his social media network that the United States and Iran held productive talks the last two days “regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”

The S&P 500 leaped 1.3% toward its best day since well before the war began following the step down in tensions, even though Iran denied there were any negotiations.

Over the weekend, Trump had threatened to obliterate Iran’s power plants if it doesn’t open up the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The strait has become a sore point for Trump because its near-closure by Iran has prevented oil tankers from leaving the Persian Gulf to supply customers around the world.

Trump said Monday that he is postponing attacks on Iranian power plants for five days to allow talks to continue. Still, caution remains, and the optimism in financial markets was measured. Shortly after Trump’s announcement — hours before his original deadline was set to expire — Iranian state television declared that the American leader had backed down “following Iran’s firm warning.” And a state-owned newspaper said Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied that any negotiations have taken place with the U.S.

The price of Brent crude fell as low as $96 immediately after Trump’s announcement of the postponement, but it quickly recovered a chunk of that loss. Benchmark U.S. crude had a similar reaction, immediately falling toward $84 per barrel before paring its loss and reaching $90.85.

Financial markets have gone through vicious swings up and down since the war began because of uncertainty about how long it may last. The fear is that the war could keep so much oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf off global markets that it sends a debilitating wave of inflation crashing through the global economy.

That in turn could keep the Federal Reserve and other central banks from resuming their cuts to interest rates, which would give the global economy and prices for investments a boost.

Still, the overriding reaction in financial markets on Monday was one of relief. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 654 points, or 1.4%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.6% higher.

In Europe, stock indexes immediately flipped from losses to gains following Trump’s announcement and then held onto them. France’s CAC 40 jumped 1.3%, and Germany’s DAX returned 1.8%.

That compares with sharp drops for Asian stock indexes, which finished trading before Trump made his announcement. South Korea’s Kospi careened 6.5% lower, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.5% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 3.5%.

Treasury yields also eased in the bond market following Trump’s announcement. But like oil prices, they nevertheless remain well above where they were before the war began.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.38% from 4.39% late Friday. But it remains solidly above its 3.97% level from just before the war.

Source: AP

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MUTARE – A Mutare magistrate, Musiiwa, has granted bail of US$500 each to opposition politician Tendai Biti and his co-accused, Morgan Ncube, under stringent conditions.

The ruling follows submissions from both the defence and the State, with the defence arguing for more lenient terms while prosecutors pushed for tighter restrictions. The court ultimately upheld the State’s position on the conditions attached to bail.

As part of the bail terms, Biti and Ncube are required to surrender their passports to the court and are prohibited from convening or participating in public gatherings.

Legal analysts say the conditions reflect the court’s attempt to balance the accused’s right to liberty with concerns raised by the prosecution, particularly regarding the potential for interference with ongoing proceedings.

The matter is expected to return to court as investigations and legal processes continue.

The post Mutare Court Grants Biti, Ncube Bail with Strict Conditions appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

The silence of the night at Lisheen Estate in Ruwa was shattered shortly after midnight on 17 August 2025. Within the walls of his farmhouse, Joseph Mutangadura, a 67-year-old prominent businessman and owner of the popular Mutangadura Hideout, was sleeping when a gang of eight masked men descended upon his property. By the time the […]

The post Mutangadura murder case takes new twist: Shocking pattern emerges as Police shoot and kill another one! first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promoted Dr Paul Tempter Tungwarara from a region-specific advisory role focused on Dubai to a broader, global mandate that now spans multiple regions and expanded domestic responsibilities.

The appointment marks a significant shift in Dr Tungwarara’s portfolio, with his duties now extending beyond international liaison work to include oversight and coordination of empowerment programmes across Zimbabwe.

According to an official appointment letter issued under the Constitution, Dr Tungwarara was formally appointed on 23 February 2026. He will serve an initial two-year term, subject to renewal based on performance and government needs.

In his expanded role, Dr Tungwarara is expected to play a central part in advancing the government’s empowerment agenda, particularly through initiatives aimed at community development and economic inclusion. He has already been actively involved in grassroots empowerment efforts, working with communities nationwide through programmes such as the Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund.

Government sources indicate that the restructuring of his role reflects a broader strategy by the Presidency to consolidate international engagement with domestic development priorities, ensuring that external partnerships directly support local economic empowerment.

The appointment letter further authorises Dr Tungwarara to represent the Government of Zimbabwe in engagements aligned with his portfolio, both locally and internationally. This effectively positions him as a key intermediary between the State, private sector stakeholders, and development partners.

In addition, all relevant government institutions and authorities have been directed to accord him the same privileges, institutional support, and protections granted to other Presidential advisors, reinforcing the seniority and strategic importance of his new role.

Political analysts say the move could signal a renewed emphasis on leveraging international networks—particularly in the Gulf region—to mobilise investment and technical support for Zimbabwe’s empowerment programmes, at a time when the government is seeking to accelerate economic recovery and inclusive growth.

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