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Source: Goverment unveils Infrastructure Fund for major road rehab programme – herald

Rutendo Nyeve, rutendo.nyeve@sundaynews.co.zw
THE Government has unveiled an Infrastructure Fund dedicated towards rehabilitation of roads and bridges across Zimbabwe, with works expected to commence soon.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Felix Mhona, revealed this in Parliament last week, where he outlined the Government’s comprehensive strategy to address the damage caused by heavy rains and to tackle the nation’s broader infrastructure challenges.
The new Infrastructure Fund emerges as a crucial intervention following extensive consultations between the
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
The fund is designed to mobilise resources specifically for the rehabilitation of roads and construction of damaged bridges, marking a pivotal step in addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit.
Minister Mhona has said the rehabilitation efforts will be rolled out under the theme of ‘Road Rehabilitation Programme 2’.
The intervention will see the resumption of works across the country, with both urban and rural councils, alongside the Department of Roads, playing a key role in the implementation.
A key focus will be on completing all stalled projects, ensuring that no ongoing work is left unfinished. Minister
Mhona acknowledged the dual-edged nature of the recent wet season.
“We indeed had good rains, but this was a disadvantage too because roads and bridges were damaged. When we look at the amount of money allocated to us, this money is too little to cater for all roads that were damaged,” he said.
“We sat down as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Ministry of Finance, Economic
Development and Investment Promotion and discussed ways of mobilising resources to rehabilitate our roads and bridges.
“I am happy to inform you that we now have an Infrastructure Fund to cater for this problem of road rehabilitation and construction of damaged bridges. Starting from this week, we will resume the rehabilitation of our roads under the theme of Road Rehabilitation Programme 2, with our urban and rural councils and the Department of Roads.
“This will cover a lot of bridges and roads. You will begin to see improvements. All projects that were not completed will be completed; we call these projects ‘stalled projects’,” said Minister Mhona.
He underscored the impact of heavy vehicles in the degradation of the road network and reiterated the Government’s commitment to promoting the use of rail transport to preserve the country’s roads.
The minister said enforcement by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) is being strengthened to catch transporters who overload the roads.
To further alleviate pressure on the road network, the Government is encouraging private companies, including those in the mining sector, to partner with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
The Mutapa Investment Fund is also overseeing the revival of the NRZ, with efforts underway to save money for rolling stock such as wagons.
The Minister highlighted Zimbabwe’s advantage.
“Our railway is there, but in other countries, you would have to construct. Here in our country, we have got our strong railway,” he said.
Minister Mhona reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to improving the railway network to ensure that more goods are transported by rail rather than road, a move expected to significantly extend the lifespan of the newly rehabilitated roads.

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Source: ZESA mulls super shield against El Niño-disruption – herald

Martin Kadzere

Power utility ZESA Holdings says it is implementing measures to mitigate potential power supply disruptions from the impact of the projected “Super” El Niño on the Kariba hydroelectric power station, including strict water management and increased generation at Hwange Thermal Power Station.

Responding to heightened climate concerns during the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference (ZICE 2026) last week, ZESA interim chief executive officer Engineer Cletus Nyachowe said the utility was carefully co-managing water usage at Lake Kariba with Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO, to build an adequate buffer for the upcoming year.

Kariba Dam is managed jointly by the Zambezi River Authority on behalf of Zambia and Zimbabwe power utilities, focusing on safe water storage, structural maintenance and regional power generation

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon driven by the warming of surface ocean waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

In southern Africa, El Niño weather cycles usually trigger severe droughts, higher temperatures, and below-normal rainfall across the Zambezi River basin, severely reducing water inflows into major reservoirs.

“We are carefully managing the water consumption this year between us and ZESCO of Zambia and we will close the year at about 24 percent, which is quite a strong storage for us to go into next year,” said Eng Nyachowe.

He noted that the utility intentionally avoided operating the hydro plant at full capacity this year to preserve dam levels in anticipation of below-normal rainfall.

To offset reduced hydro generation at Kariba, ZESA has prioritised intensified maintenance work across units one to six at the Hwange Thermal Power Station.

The maintenance drive has nearly doubled the facility’s recent power contribution to the national grid.

“We are also upping our maintenance at Hwange 1 to 6. We are improving the output,” he said.

“Currently, we are actually doing close to 500 megawatts. Typically, it would be around 250 MW.”

Beyond thermal generation, ZESA is aggressively pursuing solar energy initiatives to provide medium-term relief as severe weather patterns threaten regional energy security.

“We will be aggressive on the solar projects. They may be a bit late, but they will come in to ameliorate the situation,” said Eng Nyachowe.

Because Kariba relies almost entirely on seasonal rainfall in the upper Zambezi catchment, previous dry weather and El Niño-induced droughts hit electricity generation hard.

In recent years, severe El Niño cycles dropped Lake Kariba’s water levels to near-record lows, forcing both Zimbabwe and Zambia to implement rolling daily load-shedding of up to 18 hours.

Providing an update on planned projects, Eng Nyachowe said ZESA is finalising tender documentation for World Bank-backed solar projects following the completion of feasibility studies.

Outside the World Bank framework, the utility is developing independent solar projects targeting a total capacity of about 1 500 MW.

The utility has secured 94 MW under its rooftop solar initiative and plans to scale up the programme rapidly—transitioning from traditional net-metering to directly purchasing surplus power from domestic and commercial producers.

According to Eng Nyachowe, the Zambezi River Authority is actively engaging prospective global developers and financiers to test investor appetite for the 2400 MW hydro-undertaking.

To further strengthen the national grid, ZESA has also completed preliminary feasibility studies for Units 9 and 10 at the Hwange Thermal Power Station, a planned expansion designed to add 600 megawatts of capacity using high-efficiency, clean coal technologies.

Eng Nyachowe said a joint delegation from ZESA and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development recently returned from a study mission to Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC).

ZESA aims to assess and exploit up to 33 potential geothermal sites identified across Zimbabwe.

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Source: Government removes unjustifiable, duplicative access fees in transport sector – herald

Freeman Razemba, freeman.razemba@zimpapers.co.zw

GOVERNMENT has, with immediate effect, removed some unjustifiable and duplicative access fees that were being charged by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Road Motor Transportation (RMT), and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID).

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has successfully rationalised all fees charged by the three departments, including the removal of regulatory requirements and permit charges that duplicated functions across agencies and transactional fees that hindered operational efficiency.

The move is part of the broader national effort to eliminate high administrative costs, streamline regulatory processes and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness by enhancing the ease of doing business.

In a statement, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona confirmed the development, tracing the reforms to a directive issued by President Mnangagwa.

“During the first Cabinet meeting of 2026, His Excellency the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to finalise the review of taxes, licences, permits and regulatory fees charged across Government,” Minister Mhona said.

The directive, first issued during the first Cabinet meeting of 2025, called for a comprehensive downward review of taxes, licences, permits, and user fees deemed excessive. The objective was to eliminate high administrative costs, streamline the regulatory environment, and enhance the ease of doing business while strengthening Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness.

Following the presidential directive, Cabinet on 9 September 2025 considered and approved the review of fees charged by the CVR, RMT, and VID, with particular emphasis on reducing or eliminating unjustifiable, duplicative, or overlapping charges.

The review specifically targeted licensing fees in both passenger and freight transport, overlapping permit charges across agencies, punitive or disproportionate compliance levies, and transactional fees that hindered operational efficiency.

The revised fee structure has been formalised through Statutory Instrument 6 of 2026 and Statutory Instrument 10 of 2026, gazetted on 9 and 12 January 2026, respectively. The latest reforms, removing the Road Access Fee, were given legal effect through Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026, gazetted on 24 July 2026.

Under the new system, first-time motor vehicle registration has been slashed from US$500 to US$50. Change-of-ownership requiring new number plates now costs US$95, down from US$515. First-time motorcycle registration has been set at US$70, while first-time trailer registration fees have been reduced from US$70 to US$50.

Operator licences have been standardised at a flat fee of US$125 per vehicle, replacing the previous structure which required a US$50 application fee plus US$75 per vehicle. Route permits have been cut from US$75 to US$20.

In addition to fee reductions, the Government has completely removed the requirement for garage inspection reports, which previously cost US$25. The requirement for retesting of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers has also been abolished. Previously, PSV and truck drivers were required to undergo periodic retesting by VID in addition to holding a valid driver’s licence, with drivers required to pay a retesting fee of about US$30. Law enforcement agencies have been advised that PSV driver retesting is no longer a legal requirement and is therefore no longer enforceable.

Minister Mhona said that the Road Access Fee, now removed through Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026, was introduced in 2009 at a time when Zimbabwe had no national road tolling system. With the subsequent rollout of

Zinara toll gates across the national road network, the fee became duplicative, resulting in motorists being charged twice for the same service.

“This duplication imposed unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on transport operators and the travelling public,” he said.

Initially collected by Zimra, the Road Access Fee was taken over by Zinara at Beitbridge Border Post in 2014.

Under that arrangement, motorists paid both the RAF and bridge toll fees at Zinara counters. Light vehicles paid US$10 for RAF and US$10 for bridge tolls (totalling US$20 per entry), while buses and heavy vehicles paid US$20 and US$27,50 respectively. Haulage trucks paid US$27,50 in bridge tolls plus VID coupons calculated on distance travelled.

Foreign-registered vehicles paid an additional US$40 in carbon tax and third-party insurance to Zimra. Leaving Zimbabwe, motorists paid bridge toll fees of US$10 for light vehicles and US$27,50 for heavy vehicles.

A round trip to South Africa in a light vehicle cost approximately US$30, while buses and heavy vehicles paid around US$75.

Minister Mhona said the milestone aligned with the ministry’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and promoting economic competitiveness.

“The Ministry remains firmly committed to creating a modern, efficient, and business-friendly transport regulatory framework,” he said. “I therefore urge all drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators to comply fully with road transport regulations and to take advantage of the revised, streamlined fee structure now in place.”

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Source: Zanu-PF, retailers urge Zimbabweans to reject July 31 shutdown calls – herald

Peter Matika and Sikhulekelani Moyo, Chronicle Writers

ZANU-PF and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) have urged Zimbabweans to ignore calls for a planned July 31 shutdown, saying uninterrupted business activity, peace and productivity are critical to protecting livelihoods, sustaining economic growth and maintaining investor confidence.

The ruling party has intensified grassroots mobilisation across Bulawayo, while the CZR has assured consumers that supermarkets, wholesalers, pharmacies, service stations and other retail outlets will remain open and conduct business as usual despite social media calls for a nationwide stay-away.

The calls for a shutdown have been circulating on various social media platforms, with organisers reportedly challenging the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No. 3.

Addressing party supporters, residents and business operators in Bulawayo yesterday, Zanu-PF Greens District chairperson Cde Tendai Charuka said there was no constitutional, legal or economic justification for a shutdown, arguing that the amendment had gone through all the prescribed constitutional and parliamentary processes.

He said Zanu-PF structures in Bulawayo Central Constituency had embarked on an intensive mobilisation campaign, engaging residents, transport operators, informal traders, workers and business owners to encourage them to ignore messages calling for economic disruption.

“There is absolutely no reason for a shutdown. Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 went through the necessary constitutional and parliamentary processes. Those calling for a shutdown have no legitimate basis to disrupt people’s lives and the economy,” said Cde Charuka.

He said Zimbabwe’s economic transformation depended on uninterrupted production and commerce, adding that every working day contributed towards national development.

“We are encouraging every Zimbabwean to continue with their normal daily activities. Businesses should remain open, workers must report for duty, learners should attend school and transport operators must continue providing services,” he said.

“The country’s development agenda cannot be advanced by bringing economic activity to a standstill.”
Cde Charuka appealed to businesses throughout Bulawayo not to succumb to intimidation or misinformation.

“We are calling upon all business people to ignore these calls and conduct business as usual. Do not heed calls for a shutdown because such actions will not only sabotage the growth of your own businesses but will also undermine the country’s economy,” he said.

“Every day that businesses remain closed translates into lost income, reduced productivity and missed opportunities for economic growth. Let us protect our investments and continue contributing to national development.”
Cde Charuka also urged workers in both the public and private sectors to report for duty as usual on July 31.

“All workers should report for duty. Every employee has a responsibility to contribute towards national development. We encourage everyone to go to work, attend school and continue with their daily activities without interruption,” he said.

Cde Charuka said Zimbabwe had built a reputation as a peaceful nation where differences were resolved through constitutional and democratic processes rather than confrontation.

He warned that stay-aways often hurt ordinary citizens the most by disrupting economic activity and reducing household incomes.

Cde Charuka also urged young people not to be influenced by social media messages encouraging participation in activities that could disturb public order.

“The future of our nation lies in hard work, entrepreneurship and production. Young people should concentrate on creating opportunities for themselves rather than participating in activities that have the potential to disturb public order,” said Cde Charuka.

CRZ said businesses across the country will remain open and continue serving customers.

CZR president Dr Denford Mutashu said retailers and wholesalers were committed to ensuring uninterrupted access to essential goods and services.

“CZR wishes to assure the nation that all retail and wholesale businesses across Zimbabwe will remain open and conduct business as usual on July 31. We encourage all members of the public to continue patronising their usual shopping centres, supermarkets, wholesalers, pharmacies, service stations and other retail outlets with confidence as they go about their normal day-to-day activities,” he said.

Dr Mutashu described the retail and wholesale industry as a strategic pillar of the economy, supporting manufacturing, agriculture, employment creation and national development.

He said the prevailing peace, security and macroeconomic stability had created a conducive environment for commerce and investment.

“CZR acknowledges the significant strides made in promoting economic stability under the Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa, whose vision of an upper middle-income economy by 2030 continues to inspire confidence among businesses and investors,” he said.

Dr Mutashu also commended law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace, saying a secure operating environment was fundamental to business growth and consumer confidence.

“We call upon all retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, employees and members of the public to uphold peace, exercise restraint and reject any actions that may disrupt business operations or undermine the country’s economic progress.

“Let us all play our part in preserving peace, protecting livelihoods and advancing Zimbabwe’s development aspirations,” he said.

“As the apex body representing the interests of the retail and wholesale sector, CZR remains committed to working with Government, law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted trade, consumer confidence and sustainable economic growth. Together, let us continue building a peaceful, prosperous and economically resilient Zimbabwe.”

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I’ve spent way too much time exploring the online gaming world here in Zimbabwe, and man, the landscape has completely transformed since 2019. Pretty wild when I think about where we started. Most folks I run into haven’t even dipped their toes into digital gaming platforms yet. They ask me questions constantly though. And I […]

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