Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Governance storm hits State-owned enterprise -Newsday Zimbabwe

TENSIONS are escalating at Powertel, the State-owned telecommunications firm linked to the national electricity utility, with insiders painting a picture of an organisation plagued by lapses in financial oversight and breaches of procurement regulations.

Sources within the company described a workplace where governance structures are under strain.

The instability, also linked to internal disputes in management, has reportedly trickled down, leaving middle management and operational teams distracted and demoralised.

Powertel acting managing director William Nyagwande dismissed the allegations as false when contacted for comment.

“What are the complaints against me? If you can list them with the allegations so that I review. I have no conflict with anyone, but I only demand results and performance,” he said in response on Tuesday afternoon.

“Without those allegations, I have nothing to comment.”

He later promised that the company will have issued a detailed response by yesterday at 10am.

However, later on Tuesday evening, Nyagwande said he could not comment further.

“I am currently unable to answer any questions to the media.

“This is due to the fact that I now await a due process.”

However, it is understood that an internal review reportedly flagged a prepayment made to a technology supplier that bypassed standard public procurement regulations.

The transaction, which allegedly lacked required advance payment guarantees, reportedly resulted in a financial loss after the supplier failed to deliver the laptops.

In a separate incident, an audit allegedly scrutinised a large payment to a vendor, questioning whether internal controls, including the verification of banking details and supervisory approvals, were employed.

According to insiders, governance questions also surround the company’s use of a “consignment stock” procurement model, where suppliers provide equipment that is only paid for upon use.

While intended to improve efficiency, critics within the broader utility group argued that the system has created significant accounting and co-ordination challenges.

Some allege that the model is being exploited.

An internal audit is reportedly examining whether pricing for the equipment reflects market rates and why several regional units hold outstanding balances for stock supplied since 2024.

Staff morale is also reportedly suffering amid complaints regarding the leadership’s alleged neglect of working conditions.

“Strong governance frameworks are essential in public enterprises,” NewsDay heard.

“Where leadership disputes or procurement concerns arise, transparent oversight from the parent company and regulatory bodies becomes critical to prevent the erosion of public trust.”

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Source: Kariba Dam rehab boosted by 21st Joint Mission –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 19 (NewsDay Live) – The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has launched the 21st Joint Mission of the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) in Siavonga, marking another milestone in efforts to secure the long-term safety and performance of the Kariba Dam.

The KDRP is a joint initiative between Zimbabwe and Zambia aimed at strengthening the dam’s structural integrity, safety and operational reliability—critical for regional hydroelectric power generation. Key works include reshaping the plunge pool downstream of the dam wall and refurbishing the spillway system to meet international safety standards.

The mission brings together stakeholders from both countries, including government officials, contractors and technical experts. ZRA said spillway refurbishment works are addressing previously identified structural vulnerabilities, with overall progress on track.

Phase 1 is nearing completion at 99.99%, while Phase 2 has reached 50%.

Routine inspections confirm the dam remains stable and is operating smoothly, helping protect downstream communities while supporting regional energy security.

ZRA acknowledged the continued support of cooperating partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, the European Union and the Government of Sweden, which is critical to meeting the revised completion target of December 2026.

The project is expected to significantly extend the dam’s lifespan and ensure sustained power generation and water management capacity. It is being implemented through two main components: plunge pool reshaping—entailing excavation of about 300,000 cubic metres of rock—and spillway refurbishment, which includes replacing six sluice gates and installing new embedded components.

Delegates to the mission conducted site inspections and engaged with project teams to assess progress and implementation.

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Source: Govt prioritises women’s health in public institutions –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 19 (NewsDay Live) — The Government of Zimbabwe is moving to institutionalise wellness across the civil service, warning that gender parity cannot be achieved while female employees face burnout and neglected health.

The remarks were delivered by Patience Zenda, Director of Finance in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, who stood in for Deputy Minister Mercy Dinha at the official opening of the Ministry’s Women’s Wellness Day in Harare.

Addressing female employees drawn from the Ministry and its parastatals—including National Social Security Authority (NSSA), NBS, TNF and Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM)—Zenda said women remain the backbone of Zimbabwe’s social protection system.

“Under the Second Republic, we are not just talking about gender parity; we are acting on it,” she said. “However, parity is meaningless if our female workforce is burnt out or neglected. Those who care for the nation must also be cared for.”

The event, organised by Director for Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Wellness R. P. Mujeni, adopted a holistic “360-degree” health approach. Partners including the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and St Thaddeus Health Centre provided on-site screenings, reproductive health services and HIV/AIDS counselling.

Zenda said the initiative aligns with a broader national shift toward preventive healthcare, urging women to prioritise their own well-being alongside professional and caregiving roles.

“When the health of women is compromised, families suffer, productivity declines, and our broader development agenda is affected,” she said.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening occupational health and safety, with a focus on gender-responsive social protection systems. The Wellness Day is expected to serve as a pilot for integrated collaboration between government departments and private health institutions to support a healthier national workforce.

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Source: Govt warns on substandard, counterfeit goods -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 19 (NewsDay Live) — Government has issued a strong warning against the surge in substandard and counterfeit goods, saying unsafe products threaten consumer trust and economic stability.

Zimbabwe marked World Consumer Rights Day in Masvingo on Wednesday under the theme “Safe Products and Confident Consumers.”

Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said enforcing product standards is critical to protecting consumers and sustaining growth.

“Ensuring goods meet required standards is both a legal obligation and a pillar of economic stability. Consumers must trust that what they buy is safe and fairly priced,” he said.

Ndlovu cautioned that the influx of unsafe imports and fake products is undermining local industry.

“Unchecked circulation of unsafe goods erodes trust, destroys livelihoods, and weakens retail and manufacturing sectors,” he said.

Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira called for a coordinated response, saying regulators, businesses and consumer groups must work together to enforce accountability.

Lands and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka said consumer protection remains central to Zimbabwe’s long-term development agenda, anchored in programmes such as ZIRGP and NDS2.

The event focused on tackling unjustified price hikes, eliminating substandard products, and curbing unfair trade practices.

World Consumer Rights Day is observed globally to promote consumer protection and awareness.

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Source: Follow the law, embassy tells Chinese firms -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 19 (NewsDay Live) — The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe has warned its nationals and companies to ‘follow the law’ following Harare’s decision to suspend exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates and tighten regulations in reserved sectors.

The embassy urged Chinese investors to heighten risk awareness and ensure full compliance with Zimbabwean laws, warning that policy shifts could impact business operations.

“The Government of Zimbabwe has recently suspended exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates, and introduced new regulations concerning reserved sectors,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

“Prior to making investments in Zimbabwe, investors shall conduct a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of the local business environment, industrial policies and relevant laws and regulations,” the embassy said.

“They should fully consider various investment and operational risks and make informed decisions so as to avoid losses resulting from government policy changes.”

It also advised firms already operating in the country to strictly follow local regulations and strengthen internal risk controls.

“In the course of production and business operations in Zimbabwe, Chinese enterprises and nationals shall strictly abide by local laws and regulations, adopt proactive risk prevention and control measures, and protect their legitimate rights and interests through legal channels,” the embassy added.

The notice comes amid Zimbabwe’s push to increase value addition in its mining sector, particularly in lithium, a key mineral for global battery supply chains.

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