Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: PSC urges shift to digital governance – herald

Takunda Gambiza and Sekai Manyere

THE Public Service Commission  has encouraged its staff to embrace digital transformation, strengthen accountability and adopt innovative approaches to improve service delivery.

Speaking at the 2026 Mid-Term Performance Review Programme in Harare on Thursday, PSC Chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe said the review provided a critical opportunity for the Commission to assess its progress, identify gaps and realign its priorities with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.

He said the workshop was more than a routine assessment, describing it as a decisive inflection point for the Commission.

“We must interrogate our trajectory with honesty, recalibrate with agency, and recommit with unwavering determination to the course that we have set for ourselves,” said Dr Hungwe.

He said the rapid pace of technological change required public institutions to move beyond incremental improvements and embrace bold, responsive and strategic leadership.

“In such an environment, incremental adjustments will not suffice. We are called upon to exercise strategic leadership that is bold, responsive and, above all, resolute,” he said.

Dr Hungwe applauded PSC employees for their dedication, saying their work was central to building a capable, professional and responsive public service that supports Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation.

He challenged officials to honestly assess whether programmes were producing tangible results and contributing to national development.

“Our objective is to improve, not to assign blame. The value of this exercise lies in identifying opportunities for better performance and stronger institutional delivery,” he said.

Dr Hungwe stressed that professionalism, meritocracy, integrity and accountability must remain the foundation of the Commission’s operations, adding that citizens expected efficient, transparent and responsive public services.

He also called for continued investment in human capital and digital systems to improve efficiency.

“We are operating in an environment that is changing rapidly. Technology is transforming the way governments operate.

“Citizens increasingly expect services that are efficient, transparent and accessible,” he said. “Our greatest asset is neither our infrastructure nor our policies. It is our human capital,” said Dr Hungwe.

“A motivated, ethical and competent workforce remains the foundation upon which institutional excellence is built.”

PSC Secretary Mrs Sibusisiwe Zembe said the mid-term review provided an opportunity to evaluate progress made during the first half of the year while identifying practical interventions for the remainder of 2026.

She said the Commission had recorded notable progress despite facing challenges that had tested its resilience and adaptability.

“The first half of the year has presented a combination of opportunities and challenges.

“While we have made notable progress, we have also encountered obstacles that have tested our resilience and adaptability,” she said.

Mrs Zembe described performance reviews as an essential management tool that strengthens accountability, improves decision-making and enhances service delivery.

She reminded participants that the Commission exists to serve citizens and should remain focused on that mandate.

“We must never forget that our being here in this room and in our various departments is for the purpose of service delivery to the citizens whom we serve,” she said.

She urged participants to engage openly during the review process and focus on finding practical solutions rather than assigning blame.

“The recommendations and resolutions that will emerge from this workshop should translate into concrete actions that improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and enhance the quality of public service,” said Mrs Zembe.

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Source: Mbembesi death trap The notorious stretch that has claimed scores of lives over the years – herald

Raymond Jaravaza ray.jaravaza@chronicle.co.zw

A section of the Bulawayo-Gweru Highway in the Mbembesi area has, over the years, earned an infamous reputation as a “black spot”, a deadly stretch of road that has claimed the lives of numerous prominent figures and ordinary citizens in horrific motor accidents.

The latest tragedy struck on Thursday night, claiming the lives of three Highlanders Football Club executives and a female supporter.

The victims — club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza, and Bosso member Mbalenhle Sibanda — were killed when their Ford Raptor was involved in a severe collision roughly 60 kilometres outside Bulawayo. They were returning to Bulawayo from Kariba, where the team had suffered a 1-0 defeat to ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday afternoon.

This particular stretch of highway has long been notorious for deadly crashes, many of which have involved stray livestock wandering onto the road from nearby farms. Yesterday afternoon, several hours after the latest accident, a

Zimpapers news crew observed the carcass of a cow being removed from the scene, just metres from the wreckage.

Preliminary reports suggest that the Ford Raptor, travelling towards Bulawayo, struck the animal before swerving into the path of an oncoming bus, resulting in a head-on collision. The force of the impact reportedly threw one occupant from the vehicle; the victim was then struck by a Nissan travelling behind.

The area’s grim history includes the August 2013 death of former National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) general manager and freedom fighter Air Commodore (Retired) Mike Tichafa Karakadzai, who was 56 and later declared a national hero. His car hit a stray cow, veered right, and side-swiped an oncoming haulage truck near the 79km peg, just past the Shangani Mine turn-off flyover.

In September 2016, founder of His Presence Ministries International, Apostle Charles Chiriseri, died in a car accident in Mbembesi while travelling with his wife, who survived. The couple was on their way to Bulawayo for a funeral when the crash occurred.

Most recently, in October of last year, opposition legislator Desire Moyo died on the spot after the vehicle he was travelling in struck an elephant along the same road. He and four other MPs were en route to Bulawayo when the accident happened; his colleagues sustained injuries.

Numerous other accidents involving both private and public vehicles have occurred on this stretch, resulting in further loss of life. While driver error remains a concern, stakeholders have increasingly called for permanent measures to address the persistent danger of stray domestic and wild animals in the area. In its response, the

Zimbabwe Republic Police said it has noted with concern the increase in fatal road traffic accidents occurring during the night throughout the country, especially on the highways, and noted the challenge of stray animals.

“This is even made worse by animals such as cattle, donkeys and others which are criss-crossing the roads and posing serious danger to motorists,” reads the police statement.

“Some farmers are also contributing to the accidents by driving cattle through the roads or leaving cattle to graze on road verges, leading to road traffic accidents.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police totally discourages Zimbabweans from travelling or driving at night. Instead, families, football teams, individual drivers and institutions should plan journeys to curtail road carnage.”

Wild game, cows and donkeys are known to roam to and from their habitats in an area now occupied by resettled farming households bordering the Insiza North and Umguza territories, who have built their homes along the highway.

The issue continues to dominate social media debates with members of the public calling for a permanent solution, involving farmers and road authorities in keeping stray animals away from the roads.

Local farmer and Lochard village community member Mr Leonard Moyo said most parts of a fence that was installed by Government are still intact, but some community members leave the gates open, resulting in livestock straying onto the highway.

“It’s sad that a lot of lives are being lost because of stray livestock, especially cattle that roam along the highway in search of the green grass that is still available next to the tarred road,” he said.

“As farmers, we also stand to lose when our cattle are hit by vehicles, so we try to ensure that the gates that lead to our villages are closed at all times.

“It’s unfortunate that some community members leave the gates open and our cattle stay along the highway. The accident that happened last night (Thursday) could have been avoided had that cow not wandered along the highway,” said Mr Moyo.

Wrote Bhekilizwe Ndlovu on his Facebook account: “Owners of domestic animals must be held legally responsible for ensuring that their animals do not roam onto public roads. “Our roads should, by law, be no-go areas for unattended domestic animals, with meaningful penalties for negligence.

“This is not about punishing farmers or animal owners. It is about protecting human life while encouraging responsible animal ownership.”

Meanwhile, passengers who were in the bus that was involved in the accident that killed the Highlanders members were, by yesterday afternoon, still stranded at the scene of the road carnage.

Those who spoke to Zimpapers said they have been stranded since Thursday night when the accident happened. A majority of them were women and children.

“We have been promised that another bus will come and take us to Harare, so we expect it to be here before sunset,” said Ms Martha Mutemi.

Mrs Ruveneko Mutasa said the accident had left her young daughters traumatised.

“We were sleeping when the accident happened, but when my daughters saw what had happened in the morning, they were very traumatised. It’s so sad that people lost their lives. No one was seriously injured in the bus, but we are all still traumatised,” she said.

“The vehicles that were involved in the accident were damaged extensively and no one could have survived from that wreckage.”

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Source: Police, business unite as armed robbers steal over US$64 000, R1 000 in Bulawayo in one week – herald

Peter Matika peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw

MORE than US$64 000 and R1 000 have been stolen in a wave of armed robberies targeting small businesses and cash collection centres in Bulawayo this week alone, prompting police and business players to strengthen collaboration in combating organised crime.

The robberies, which occurred in Emganwini, Cowdray Park and Bulawayo’s central business district between July 13 and 17, have heightened concern over the growing targeting of cash collection operators by armed criminal syndicates.

Addressing a stakeholder engagement meeting with business players in Bulawayo on Friday, Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province, Commissioner Jasper Chizemo, described the meeting as a crucial platform for developing practical solutions to curb armed robberies rather than assigning blame.

“This is a monumental meeting meant to share notes on how we can, together, effectively prevent and combat the scourge of armed robberies.

“The meeting is not about blame apportioning, but rather it is about solution generation,” said Comm Chizemo.

“I would like to thank all the agents for heeding our invitation. Your attendance demonstrates your unwavering commitment to work with the police in preventing and combating not only armed robberies but crime in general.

Like we always say, policing is a shared responsibility.”

Within five days, armed robbers struck three separate cash collection-related businesses across the city.

On July 13, two armed suspects raided a mobile money booth at Emganwini Shopping Centre, escaping with US$2 000, Econet airtime worth US$307 and NetOne airtime valued at US$280.

Three days later, armed robbers targeted another mobile money outlet in Cowdray Park as employees were closing for the day, stealing US$8 653, R1 000 and two mobile phones used for transactions before locking workers and a customer inside an office and fleeing.

The biggest robbery occurred on July 17 when four armed men stormed a cash collection centre along Fort Street in Bulawayo’s central business district while 16 cashiers were reconciling the day’s collections.

The gang reportedly ordered employees to lie on the floor at gunpoint before escaping with approximately US$53 000 in cash.

Comm Chizemo said the incidents reflected a worrying trend in which organised criminal gangs deliberately targeted cash collection agents because of the large volumes of cash they handled.

“You bring banking services to the people’s doorsteps and for that we salute you. It is, therefore, worrying when you become targets of armed robbers,” he said.

He revealed that from January 1 to July 23 this year, Bulawayo Province had recorded 38 armed robbery cases, with 21 targeting business premises, eight occurring at residential properties and nine at other locations.

“We have observed that these robbers closely monitor the activities of cash agents before planning their attacks, and in many cases insiders provide critical information. They operate in groups of at least two, often wearing masks, and are armed with firearms, knives and machetes. They target cash, airtime and cellphones and frequently use getaway vehicles,” said Comm Chizemo.

He said investigations had established that the criminals often struck during opening or closing hours when businesses were most vulnerable.

Comm Chizemo said police have since intensified operations to dismantle armed robbery syndicates operating in Bulawayo.

“As police, let me assure you that we will never brook and allow criminals and their syndicates to terrorise our communities with impunity while we watch. We’re descending hard on them to ensure they are brought to justice and account for their criminal actions,” he said.

Police have already increased patrols in crime hotspots, strengthened intelligence gathering on organised criminal groups and illegal firearms, deployed specialised crack teams and intensified community policing and crime awareness campaigns.

Comm Chizemo urged cash handling agents to improve cash management practices by banking frequently, avoiding predictable routines and reducing the amount of cash kept on business premises.

He also encouraged operators to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, alarm systems and panic buttons, while ensuring business premises were well lit and cash was not counted in full view of customers.

Comm Chizemo said police investigations had also revealed that some robberies were being facilitated through insider information and urged business operators to prioritise their safety during robberies.

“Always ensure your safety first. Never try to resist armed robbers because they will not think twice before killing you. Life is more important than money or property because once life is lost, it can never be recovered,” he said.

Comm Chizemo vowed that police would relentlessly pursue armed robbery syndicates and called for continued cooperation between the police, small businesses and the public, saying timely reporting of suspicious activities and strengthened partnerships remained key to protecting lives and Bulawayo’s economy.

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Source: BOSSO DEATHS . . . Govt intervenes – herald

Fungai Muderere fungai.muderere@bmetro.co.zw
A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed Highlanders Football Club offices yesterday as government officials, football administrators, politicians and members of the Bosso family gathered to mourn the untimely deaths of club chairman and Premier Soccer League (PSL) vice-chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza and club member Mbalenhle Sibanda.
The four lost their lives in a tragic road traffic accident along the Harare-Bulawayo Road on Thursday night, plunging one of Zimbabwe’s biggest football institutions into mourning.
Amid grief, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture together with the ruling party confirmed that they had formally initiated a request for the executive members to be accorded State-assisted funerals, describing their contribution to football as deserving of national recognition.
Present at the club offices were Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube; Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo; Zifa vice-president Kennedy Ndebele, Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial leadership and members of the Highlanders board led by chairman Luke Mnkandla.
Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Mabutho Moyo, a staunch Highlanders supporter, said the party believed the three administrators deserved State recognition.
“Highlanders is a national institution; its appeal touches everyone. In that regard, we ask that the Minister of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, send a formal request to the President of the country for these departed colleagues to get a state-assisted funeral. We have lost heroes and we would love to see them get such recognition. That is the position of the party and we will be updating on what would have been done,” said Cde Moyo.
Permanent Secretary Moyo confirmed that the ministry had already written to the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, requesting State assistance.
“As the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Recreation, we are really saddened. We convey our deepest condolences. Zimbabwe has lost. This has really hit us hard; we might be worried, but all we need to do now is to get united.
“As a ministry, we have been reading about this issue since yesterday evening (Thursday) and, as such, we have written a letter to the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya. We are now looking forward to him getting in touch with the President; maybe we can get a state-assisted funeral,” said Moyo.
Minister Judith Ncube, who was visibly emotional throughout the visit, confirmed that she would immediately formalise the request before leaving for her office.
“I’m at a loss for words. As we were looking at the wreckage of the car, we asked ourselves what really transpired.
“I quickly remembered a day when we were sitting here (Highlanders offices), trying to put our heads together, trying to get a way forward. In the end, we found it together with those who have left us. A dark cloud has engulfed us here in Matabeleland, in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole. However, we should now accept the situation before us so that we bury them with honour. It has happened; we must stand together, silusizi ngomonakalo lo.”
Professor Mthuli Ncube, who repeatedly shook his head in disbelief, said the tragedy had left him deeply pained.

“I’m really pained with regards to the development that has taken place. Yesterday (Thursday), my wife was driving from Harare and phoned saying there was a serious accident; I told her to drive slowly. Little did we know it was the accident that robbed us of the Highlanders leadership. I’m sorry about this, sonke siyakhala sibili; Highlanders is an institution of Bulawayo, a national institution.
“We were looking forward to two events regarding fundraising so that we could help in the whole 100 years celebration. Now this has befallen us.”
Speaking on behalf of Highlanders, board chairman Luke Mnkandla said the club remained united with the bereaved families during one of the darkest chapters in its history.
“We are in deep mourning for the tragic loss of lives. We pass our sincere condolences and sympathise with the Mhlophe, Siziba and Khoza families. We are with you during this difficult time. May God help us during this difficult time until the end and comfort you as well,” said Mnkandla.
The football fraternity continues to mourn the three administrators, whose deaths have cast a dark shadow over Highlanders’ centenary year and prompted an outpouring of grief from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
– @FungaiMuderere.

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Source: Super El Niño: President urges caution – herald

Joseph Madzimure and Precious Manomano

FARMERS must prioritise early-maturing and drought-resistant crops for the 2026-2027 summer cropping season as Zimbabwe braces for a likely Super El Niño-induced dry spell, President Mnangagwa has said.

The President’s message comes against the backdrop of a warning by weather experts who project a 90 percent probability of below-normal rainfall across the region.

Addressing the Zanu PF Women’s League National Assembly midweek, President Mnangagwa said agricultural empowerment under his administration extended beyond inputs to include large-scale mechanisation through ongoing equipment support schemes.

“I, therefore, urge us to plant early maturing and drought-resistant crops to bolster household food security,” he said.

Government, said President Mnangagwa, will do its part to mitigate the impact of the expected drought, further calling on every province to work closely with the responsible ministries, departments, and agencies that relate to agriculture, mechanisation and water, towards capacitating and training women on key aspects of “farming as a business”, agro-processing, finance and climate-smart agriculture.

In tandem with the President’s call, the Government has intensified preparations for the 2026/27 summer cropping season, with farmers being urged to plant short-season, drought-tolerant crop varieties as part of a climate-smart production strategy to cushion the country against the anticipated Super El Niño weather phenomenon.

Cabinet-approved summer cropping plan, already being implemented, which targets 1,8 million hectares of maize and more than 500 000 hectares of traditional grains, with emphasis on conservation agriculture, irrigation development, efficient water management and the adoption of climate-resilient seed varieties.

Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said Government had tailored its summer programme to ensure farmers maximise production despite the anticipated dry conditions.

“We now have the summer plan, which we are busy implementing. In terms of our summer programme, we are targeting 1,8 million hectares of maize and more than 500 000 hectares of traditional grains, together with other strategic crops that we normally produce,” he said.

“The summer plan as approved by Cabinet will be implemented. We know, of course, that there has been a focus on a drier-than-normal rainfall season coming.

“We are planning on five fronts and, of course, the sixth front is coordination and early warning. First, ensure we focus on the Strategic Grain Reserve build-up. We are encouraging our farmers to ensure that at household level they keep their food.”

Prof Jiri said Government was also encouraging farmers to market surplus grain through the Grain Marketing Board while millers and other stakeholders maintained adequate grain stocks to strengthen national food security.

He said climate-smart agriculture would remain central to the 2026/27 summer cropping programme, with farmers being encouraged to grow crops suited to their agro-ecological regions.

“The crop that is grown by the farmer must be dictated by the agro-ecological region. Secondly, Pfumvudza/Intwasa is key and becomes of paramount importance, so we must ensure that we do soil conservation.

“Third in this category is to ensure that we grow our traditional grains. Variety suitability is critical and we know that Regions Four and Five are more suitable for our traditional grains.

“We emphasise that farmers must grow traditional grains in those regions. We also want our farmers to use the correct seed variety, which is climate-smart. The shorter and harder the season means we must grow those varieties that are early to medium and that is what we are encouraging.”

The Government is encouraging farmers to adopt early-maturing maize hybrids and drought-tolerant traditional grains to improve productivity under shortened rainfall seasons while expanding irrigation and promoting conservation agriculture to reduce climate-related production risks.

Prof Jiri said preparations had also been completed to ensure farmers access production funding ahead of planting.

“We have already put our farmers into the usual funding options, including private sector financing, Government-funded programmes, self-funded farmers, bank-funded farmers and other financing models. We already have them in place to ensure that our planning is as precise as possible as we move towards the planting season.”

He said farmers could also access financing through the Food Crop Contractors Association, banks under the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme and other financiers.

Government has also prioritised livestock protection under the preparedness programme.

“We are also emphasising various livestock options to ensure that interventions for livestock carry our national herd through the dry season,” said Prof Jiri.

He said disease surveillance, dipping, vaccination, supplementary feeding and improved nutrition would help protect livestock during the anticipated dry spell.

At provincial level, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) has intensified campaigns encouraging farmers, particularly those in drier regions, to adopt traditional grains and climate-smart farming practices.

ARDAS Matabeleland South provincial director Mrs Shupikai Sibanda said water security remained central to the province’s drought preparedness programme.

“Water security is a priority because we want to ensure that animals have an adequate water supply. The ministry is drilling boreholes and solarising boreholes in every village.

“This programme is also extended to dip tanks and grazing areas. Drought mitigation centres are also being established in every ward. De-silting of dams across the province is also underway to increase water holding capacity.”

Mrs Sibanda said drought mitigation task teams had been established from ward to provincial level to coordinate preparedness programmes and mobilise resources.

“Farmers will be supported to plant drought-tolerant fodder crops such as lablab, velvet beans and forage sorghum. As a department, we have intensified training and education on fodder production so that farmers prioritise producing feed for their animals.”

Meanwhile, Kutsaga Research is strengthening its climate-smart breeding programme to equip tobacco growers with varieties capable of withstanding drought, heat stress and changing rainfall patterns.

Kutsaga chief executive Dr Frank Magama said developing resilient varieties remained central to protecting farmer incomes, maintaining production and preserving Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global tobacco market.

“Looking ahead to the 2026/27 agricultural season, forecasts suggest an increased likelihood of dry conditions and periods of moisture stress in some production areas.

“Growers are encouraged to adopt climate-smart production strategies that will help safeguard productivity and profitability.”

Dr Magama said Kutsaga had developed drought-tolerant varieties including K RK71 and K RK75, while new climate-smart varieties — T78, T79, T80 and T81 — were under limited release.

“The T78 to T81 varieties were specifically bred for inherently dry and drought-prone environments and have demonstrated good adaptation under conditions of high temperatures and reduced rainfall.”

He said the varieties had performed well in trials conducted in Matabeleland North, Lower Gweru, Masvingo and Karoi, producing yields above 2 500 kilogrammes per hectare under dry conditions and more than 4 000 kilogrammes per hectare under optimum conditions.

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