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Apply for the Climate Resilient Livelihoods Call for Research Papers 2026. Grants up to USD $800 available for Master’s students & researchers in Zimbabwe.

Source: Call for Research Papers – Building Climate Resilience in Southern Zimbabwe | United Nations Development Programme

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The Chitungwiza Sewage War: Residents Sue Council as Corrupt Workers Demand Bribes to Fix Bursts! In the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, just south of Harare, the air does not merely carry a scent; it carries a sentence. It is a sentence of indignity, of disease, and of a systemic betrayal that has left thousands of […]

Source: ZRP cracks down on unregistered, concealed number plates –Newsday Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned motorists driving vehicles without registration plates or with number plates obscured by bull bars and bumpers that they face legal action as the force intensifies enforcement.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police had noted a growing number of vehicles on the country’s roads without visible registration plates, making it difficult to identify them in cases involving crime and road traffic accidents.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reminds Zimbabweans that it is an offence for any motorist to drive a vehicle which does not display registration plates (number plates) on the country’s roads,” said Nyathi.

He said the requirement is provided for under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act (Chapter 13:14) and the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11), which stipulate that all vehicles operating on public roads must display registration plates.

“It is an offence for any motorist to drive a vehicle which does not display registration plates (number plates) on the country’s roads,” he said.

He noted that police had also observed an increasing number of vehicles with number plates partially or completely concealed by fitted bull bars and bumpers, hampering vehicle identification during criminal investigations and traffic incidents.

“The ZRP will therefore take action on such vehicles and ensure that the country’s laws take effect without fear or favour,” he said.Nyathi urged motorists to comply with the law by ensuring their registration plates are clearly visible, saying this would assist police in combating crime and promoting road safety.

The warning comes as police step up efforts to enforce traffic laws and ensure all vehicles on Zimbabwe’s roads can be readily identified during law enforcement operations and accident investigations.

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Source: Tobacco sales pass US$882 million -Newsday Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s tobacco marketing season has generated more than US$882 million, with deliveries surpassing last year’s levels by over six million kilogrammes.

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board said the 2026 marketing season has recorded higher volumes than the same period last year, reflecting continued growth in tobacco production despite market challenges.

“The 2026 tobacco marketing season has generated an estimated US$882.4 million after 354,378,943 kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco were sold by Day 96 at an average price of US$2.49 per kilogramme,” TIMB said.

Auction floor sales, meanwhile, accounted for 30,385,988 kilogrammes at an average price of US$1.91 per kilogramme, earning growers approximately US$58 million.

“Contract sales continue to dominate, accounting for 323,992,955 kilogrammes at an average US$2.55 per kilogramme, worth an estimated US$826.2 million, while auction floors have sold 30,385,988 kilogrammes at an average US$1.91 per kilogramme, generating about US$58.0 million,” TIMB said.Despite the increase in volumes, tobacco prices have fallen significantly compared to the same period in 2025, when growers received an average price of US$3.33 per kilogramme.

This year’s average price of US$2.49 represents a decline of US$0.84 per kilogramme, highlighting persistent pricing challenges within the sector.

TIMB said the disparity between increased deliveries and lower prices underscores the pressure facing tobacco farmers.

“Although volumes are now 6.3 million kilogrammes higher than the 348,073,973 kilogrammes sold by the same day in 2025, the average price remains significantly lower at US$2.49 per kilogramme, compared with US$3.33 per kilogramme a year ago, highlighting continued pressure on grower earnings despite stronger deliveries,” the board said.

The latest figures demonstrate tobacco’s continued importance as one of Zimbabwe’s leading agricultural export commodities and a major source of foreign currency earnings.

However, the decline in prices suggests that improved production alone may not be sufficient to enhance farmers’ profitability unless global and domestic market conditions strengthen in the remainder of the marketing season.

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Source: Fastjet trials business class on leased aircraft -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE (NewsDay Live) – Fastjet Zimbabwe will introduce its first-ever Business Premium cabin this year as it trials a larger Airbus A320-200 aircraft on its busiest regional routes, testing demand for an upgraded travel experience ahead of a possible fleet expansion in 2027.

The airline said the Business Premium product will be available on flights between Harare and Johannesburg, and Victoria Falls and Johannesburg, during the deployment of the leased A320-200 between August and September, when regional travel demand is at its highest.

The premium cabin features 12 extra-wide seats at the front of the aircraft and includes lounge access, curated meals with full bar service on selected flights, and a combined baggage allowance of 46 kilograms.

The Airbus A320-200, leased from AerCap and operated by Global, is the largest aircraft Fastjet Zimbabwe has flown. Configured with 168 seats — 156 in economy and 12 in Business Premium — it significantly increases capacity compared with the Embraer regional jets that currently make up the airline’s fleet.

The aircraft entered service on Aug. 1 under the short-term lease. The 21-year-old jet was originally delivered to Kingfisher Airlines in 2005 and most recently operated for Pan Pacific Airlines before joining Global’s fleet.

Fastjet Zimbabwe Business Chief Executive and Country Head Donahue Cortes said the trial would help the airline assess customer appetite for both the larger aircraft and the new premium service.

“The introduction of a Business Premium product is part of our continued efforts to deliver customer needs and better serve our market,” Cortes said.

“As we trial this aircraft type during this peak travel period, we are evaluating the response to our Business Premium product on these busy regional routes as we explore permanently introducing this aircraft type to our fleet in 2027.”

Chief Commercial Officer Vivian Ruwuya said the airline had designed the new cabin to appeal to business travellers, premium leisure passengers and customers seeking greater comfort.

“Our Business Premium product will raise the bar and redefine business travel on these routes,” Ruwuya said.

“We have curated a business class offering designed for the ultimate comfort and care for our premium guests travelling between Harare and Johannesburg, and Victoria Falls and Johannesburg. We are confident the product will resonate with business travellers, leisure guests seeking a premium experience, and customers who value greater comfort and personalised service.”

Fastjet first announced plans to lease the A320-200 on July 16, saying the aircraft would allow it to meet strong seasonal demand during one of Southern Africa’s busiest travel periods. The airline has indicated that, if the trial is successful, the A320 could join its fleet permanently in 2027 to support regional growth and expanded connectivity.

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