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Source: Transfer Of Voters’ Roll To Registrar-General’s Office Will Improve Efficiency – ZEC ⋆ Pindula News

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, which, among other things, transfers voter registration and the compilation and maintenance of the voters’ roll to the Registrar-General’s Office while establishing the Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission, will strengthen the country’s electoral management framework by streamlining operations and improving efficiency.

ZEC Chief Elections Officer Simbarashe Tongayi told ZBC News the new framework will enhance operational efficiency.

“The Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 is a good law because it streamlines the core functions of the electoral management body to focus on two key issues: conducting free and fair elections and voter education. This improves operational efficiency and streamlines functions,” he said.

“The Registrar-General already has the necessary information required for the voters’ roll, so this improves efficiency because we were obtaining that information from them in any case.”

During the last general election cycle, ZEC faced several accusations, among them gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering is the deliberate drawing of electoral boundaries to give a political party or group an unfair advantage.

In 2023, opposition parties and analysts accused the commission of drawing boundaries that disproportionately favoured ZANU-PF, including allocating 143 constituencies to communal lands and 67 to urban and peri-urban areas.

Other accusations included using the wrong formula to calculate voter variations, leaving some constituencies with more than 20,000 voters while others had far fewer, and claims that the entire delimitation process was unconstitutional.

The move to transfer voter registration and management of the voters’ roll from ZEC to the Registrar-General’s Office has drawn mixed reactions.

Proponents say the Registrar-General already manages the civil registry, including births, deaths, identity documents and citizenship. This, they argue, would make it technically easier to maintain an accurate and continuously updated voters’ roll, with deceased voters automatically removed and those turning 18 added once they obtain IDs.

However, opponents argue that the Registrar-General’s Office is a department under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and therefore directly under the Executive.

ZEC, at least on paper, is an independent Chapter 12 commission under the Constitution. Moving the roll from an independent commission to a government department, critics say, would reduce rather than increase independence.

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Source: MCAZ engages content creators over medicine ads – herald

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe wants content creators and social media influencers to comply with medicine advertising regulations amid growing concerns over the promotion of unregistered medicines and misleading medical products on digital platforms.

This follows an increase in medicine advertisements by online influencers that contravene the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.

Speaking during a meeting with content creators in Harare yesterday, MCAZ public relations officer Mr Davidson Kaiyo said the authority deliberately chose engagement over punitive action to bridge knowledge gaps on medicine advertising regulations.

“We noted the proliferation of advertising of medicines by our content creators and realised that, while some of those adverts were contrary to the law, many of the creators were simply unaware of the legal requirements.

“We felt that instead of simply taking enforcement action, it was important to engage them so that they understand the procedures that must be followed before advertising medicines.

“We want to create synergy because content creators are now carrying the voice of the people and are setting the pace in storytelling and content creation,” he said.

Mr Kaiyo said the rapid growth of digital platforms had transformed the way Zimbabweans access health information, making content creators influential voices in shaping public perceptions of medicines and healthcare.

MCAZ’s mandate to protect public health by ensuring medicines and medical devices on the market are safe, effective and of assured quality now extends beyond pharmacies and manufacturers to online spaces where health information is increasingly shared.

Earlier this year, MCAZ inspectors, working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, uncovered an illegal medicine manufacturing operation in Zimre Park involving a company trading as Organicare producing and distributing what was thought to be substandard and falsified medical products.

Mr Kaiyo said following that operation, they observed a worrying pattern where some social media influencers and content creators were advertising and endorsing medicines through posts, skits and other promotional content that fell outside the requirements of medicines advertising regulations.

MCAZ believes most violations stemmed from a lack of awareness rather than deliberate misconduct.

Mr Kaiyo said the engagement sought to educate content creators on the legal framework governing medicine advertising, prohibited and misleading advertisements, prescription medicines, codeine-based preparations, psychotropic substances and the process of obtaining MCAZ approval before advertising medicines where required.

“A single unregulated post promoting a substandard or falsified medicine can reach more Zimbabweans in an hour than a public health warning reaches in a week.

“That is the responsibility this room carries. MCAZ is not here to police creativity or restrict freedom of expression. We are here to build a partnership because compliance and creativity are not opposites. This is about protecting lives,” he said.

Content creators welcomed the initiative, saying it had exposed knowledge gaps that could have placed both the public and their brands at risk.

Brand influencer Ms Lorraine Guyo admitted that many influencers had unknowingly been operating outside the law.

“This is my first time engaging with MCAZ because we have been operating in the dark, thinking we were allowed to advertise everything. Today we learnt that some medicines are not allowed to be advertised and we also learnt the consequences of breaking the law.:

However, Ms Guyo appealed to MCAZ to streamline its approval processes.

“They told us that approval can take up to 60 days, which is quite long for us because we are in business and need to work promptly. It’s also important for MCAZ to increase awareness because not all content creators attended this meeting,” she said.

Another content creator, Ms Wessy Issa, said the engagement had highlighted the need for influencers to conduct due diligence before accepting advertising contracts. Content Creators Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Takunda Tapfuma described the engagement as timely.

“We are happy that MCAZ has engaged us so that we know what to look for before accepting advertising work involving medical products,” he said

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Source: Bank employee faces US$150 000 fraud charges – herald

Zvikomborero Parafini-Court Reporter

A NATIONAL Building Society employee has appeared in court facing allegations of fraud after he allegedly used a colleague’s banking credentials to process unauthorised transactions amounting to US$150 000.

Washington Madyise (35) appeared before Harare magistrate, Ms Ruth Moyo, who granted him US$100 bail and remanded the matter to August 18.

The State alleges that NBS introduced a new core banking system in May 2026, which required employees to use individual usernames and passwords to access the platform.

Prosecutors allege that while assisting a colleague to navigate the new system, Madyise unlawfully obtained her login credentials and later used them to authorise fraudulent transfers without her knowledge.

It is alleged that on May 9, Madyise initiated a transfer of US$1 298.13 from the bank’s suspense account into an account belonging to one of his associates.

Further investigations allegedly established that several other unauthorised transactions were processed using the complainant’s credentials, with funds allegedly transferred into Madyise’s personal account and accounts belonging to his associates.

The State alleges that the total prejudice amounts to US$150 000 and that no money has been recovered.

According to the prosecution, the case is supported by bank transaction records, digital forensic evidence, financial trails allegedly linking the funds to the accused and his associates, as well as communication records relating to the movement of the money.

Mr Tatenda Chiriseri appeared for the State.

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Source: ‘Governance issues in State enterprises, parastatals decline 29pc’ – herald

Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter

GOVERNANCE-RELATED irregularities in State-owned enterprises and parastatals declined 29 percent last year as compliance with corporate governance standards improved following interventions by the Corporate Governance Unit, Auditor-General Mrs Vimbai Chikwenhere has reported.

She gave the findings in her 2025 report, which was tabled in the National Assembly yesterday.

The Auditor General examined corporate governance, revenue collection and debt recovery, asset management, procurement of goods and services, employment practices and service delivery across public entities.

“There was a decrease in reported governance issues from 319 in 2024 to 222 in 2025, representing a moderate relative decline of 29 percent after adjusting for differences in the number of reports submitted between the two years.

“The decrease points to improvements following the efforts that the Corporate Governance Unit made in ensuring that public entities comply with the requirements of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act.

“This resulted in entities addressing issues such as developing relevant policies, standard operating procedure manuals, performance evaluation of the board of directors, as well as signing performance agreements for executives,” she said.

Mrs Chikwenhere commended Government efforts, through the Corporate Governance Unit, to strengthen oversight of public entities, including follow-ups on the holding of annual general meetings, which contributed to improved submission of financial statements.

While noting progress in corporate governance, she said many challenges remained, including failure by some entities to align their policies with applicable legislation, non-compliance with corporate governance frameworks on board remuneration and weaknesses in internal control systems.

Mrs Chikwenhere said entities in the financial sector continued to face challenges linked to high levels of non-performing loans and undercapitalisation.

She also expressed concern over the late submission, or non-submission, of financial statements by some public entities.

“The late or non-submission of financial statements created gaps for accountability and delayed the commencement of audits.

“Public entities such as Zimpost, Zupco and New Ziana were in significant arrears,” Mrs Chikwenhere said.

The report also recorded a slight increase in issues related to revenue collection and debt recovery, from 26 findings in 2024 to 28 in 2025.

She said the findings in respect of revenue collection and debt recovery increased from 26 in 2024 to 28 in 2025, representing a moderate relative increase of 9 percent after adjusting for differences in the number of reports submitted.

“Revenue leakages and long-outstanding debts persisted, contributing to a net liability position and posing a threat to the sustainability of service delivery. “Additionally, some entities failed to adequately account for deposits, resulting in delays in receipting funds, largely due to inadequate efforts to sensitise customers on the importance of providing accurate and complete deposit details,” Mrs Chikwenhere said.

On procurement, the Auditor-General reported significant improvement, with irregularities declining from 29 cases in 2024 to 11 in 2025.

“Reported issues under this category declined from 29 in 2024 to 11 in 2025, representing a commendable relative decrease of 62 percent after adjusting for differences in the number of accounts reported between the two years,” she said.

Despite the progress, Mrs Chikwenhere said some entities were still failing to comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.

She said these entities continued to bypass formal competitive bidding procedures by using direct procurement or requests for quotations for high-value items, routinely failed to obtain at least three competitive quotations, awarded contracts to higher bidders without documented justification, and operated evaluation committees without formal declarations of interest.

The Auditor-General said such practices undermined transparency, accountability and value for money in the management of public resources.

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Source: Zim to co-host 2027 global women’s conference – herald

Herald Reporter

GOVERNMENT has approved Zimbabwe’s participation in two major continental engagements to be held in 2027, with Cabinet clearing the co-hosting of the Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference in Victoria Falls and approving the bid to host the Youth Connekt Africa Summit.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the decisions were made after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, bringing Zimbabwe closer to high-profile platforms focused on women’s empowerment, sustainable enterprise and youth development.

“The Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference is hosted annually by ImpactHer, a Non-Governmental Organisation that promotes women empowerment globally,” said Minister Soda.

The Zimbabwe edition is designed to position the country and the Southern African region as a powerhouse for women-led sustainable enterprises, green innovation and cross-regional trade.

Minister Soda said the Conference serves as a continental convening platform connecting the most dynamic voices in policy, investment and entrepreneurship to advance a shared vision whereby women are not just participants in the economy, but its architects.

“The Conference provides an opportunity to showcase Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurial talent, cultural richness, tourism assets, and investment potential to a highly influential continental and global audience,” he said.

Minister Soda said the Zimbabwe edition will be held in Victoria Falls in 2027 under the theme “Reimagine, Reshape Rise: Women as Vanguards of Global Sustainable Future.”

Cabinet also approved Zimbabwe’s bid to host the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in 2027.

“Cabinet considered and approved the bid for Zimbabwe to Host the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in 2027,” said Minister Soda.

Youth Connekt Africa is a continental platform established to connect young people to economic opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, financial inclusion, mentorship and policy dialogue.

“The Summit provides a platform for showcasing innovation, sharing best practices, fostering partnerships and advancing youth development agendas.

“The Summit will enhance Zimbabwe’s international image and strengthen diplomatic and development cooperation with African countries and development partners,” said Minister Soda.

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