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Source: High-value ZiG notes out soon . . . RBZ chief presents new denominations to President – herald

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa was yesterday presented with the ZiG100 and ZiG200 banknotes by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu, who said the bills seek to bolster efforts to modernise local currency.

The RBZ, Dr Mushayavanhu said, would “advise in due course” on when the new denominations, already printed, would be launched and circulated.

“The (ZiG notes) 10, 20, and 50 are already in circulation (and on the release of) the 100 and 200, we will advise in due course,” he said.

The new series of ZiG notes feature the iconic Zimbabwe bird emblem and wildlife-themed security markers, a historic development that underscores a move towards greater monetary sovereignty.

President Mnangagwa was also presented with a full set of all the first copies of bills, including the two yet-to-be-unveiled notes.

“For the year 2025, we were printing the new Big Five ZiG bank note series. So, we have managed to print all the denominations; the 10, the 20, the 50, the 100, and 200 (ZiG notes).

“And today (yesterday), we presented to His Excellency the President, all the denominations of the various notes. We presented to him the first note of each denomination that was printed, in other words, 0001 for the 10 ZiG, 0001 for the 20 ZiG, 0001 for the 50 ZiG, up to the 200 ZiG,” said Dr Mushayavanhu.

The RBZ believes that introducing the new notes will boost the use of the local currency, which is among the conditions of the Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP) approved by Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in February.

As of March 31, the ZiG currency was supported by US$1,3 billion in foreign currency reserves, which is nearly double the total value of ZiG deposits held in the banking sector.

The new ZiG bank notes are a major milestone, with the notes featuring an attractive design, improved durability, and security features that comply with international standards.

The new notes are also part of the Second Republic’s wider de-dollarisation strategy, aimed at moving back toward a single-currency system.

President Mnangagwa visited the RBZ headquarters in May to inspect the country’s gold reserves, which were reported at 4,48 tonnes.

He said the reserves made Zimbabwe the third-largest in Sadc and the 11th in Africa, and will help ensure that the ZiG remains fully backed and resilient to global economic shocks.

“These reserves are tangible assets that underpin our monetary sovereignty, rather than mere numbers,” said President Mnangagwa.

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Source: ConCourt reserves judgment in challenge to Majome’s reassignment -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Jul. 15 (NewsDay Live) – The Constitutional Court has reserved judgment in a case challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to reassign Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) chairperson Fungayi Jessie Majome to the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Political activist Allan Chipoyi is seeking an order declaring the President’s decision unconstitutional, null and void, arguing that the reassignment amounted to an unlawful removal of Majome from office.

Chipoyi was represented by advocates Eric Matinenga, Doug Coltart of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Tazorora Musarurwa. Advocate Silvester Hashiti appeared for President Mnangagwa before a full Constitutional Court bench led by Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza.

The bench reserved judgment after hearing submissions from both parties.

Chipoyi wants the court to declare that by removing Majome under the guise of a “reassignment”—a mechanism not provided for in the Constitution for dealing with members of independent commissions—the President failed to fulfil his constitutional obligations under sections 90(1), 237(3) and 187(8) of the Constitution.

He is also seeking an order reinstating Majome to the full exercise of her duties as ZHRC chairperson and interdicting the President or anyone acting on his behalf from interfering with the tenure of commissioners except in accordance with section 237 of the Constitution.

In his application, filed under section 167(2)(d) of the Constitution, Chipoyi argues that the Constitutional Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether the President has failed to fulfil a constitutional obligation.

He contends that the Constitution does not recognise “reassignment” as a lawful means of terminating or interrupting the tenure of a member of an independent commission.

According to the application, sections 237(3) and 187 require that a commissioner may only be removed following an investigation and recommendation by a tribunal appointed for that purpose.

Chipoyi argues that no tribunal was appointed and no recommendation was made before Majome was moved to the PSC.

“By nonetheless effecting her removal under the guise of a ‘reassignment’, a mechanism not recognised in the Constitution, the respondent failed to fulfil his constitutional obligation,” Chipoyi argued in the application.

Chipoyi further argues that the President’s actions breached section 90(1) of the Constitution, which obliges the Head of State to uphold, defend, obey and respect the Constitution.

He says he has standing to bring the application as a Zimbabwean citizen because the independence of Chapter 12 institutions is intended to protect the rights of the public.

“The unlawful interference with the tenure and independence of Majome… erodes the constitutionally guaranteed independence of members of Chapter 12 institutions,” Chipoyi argued in the application.

The application notes that Majome was appointed ZHRC chairperson on March 20, 2024.

It further states that on April 7, 2026, the commission issued a public statement raising concerns over the public consultation process for the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, citing limited venues, alleged intimidation of dissenting voices and what it described as controlled participation.

Three days later, on April 10, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya announced that Majome had been reassigned to serve as a commissioner in the Public Service Commission with immediate effect.

Chipoyi argues that the timing of the decision suggests it was retaliatory rather than administrative.

“The temporal proximity and political context demonstrate that this action was not a routine administrative deployment, but a punitive, retaliatory measure designed to purge a dissenting constitutional voice from an independent commission,” he argued.

He said Majome had neither resigned nor been found guilty of misconduct or incompetence, and that the government provided no reasons for the reassignment.

Chipoyi maintained that by bypassing the tribunal process prescribed by the Constitution, the President failed to comply with constitutional safeguards governing the removal of members of independent commissions.

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Source: Gwanda magistrate says drug users are victims, not criminals –Newsday Zimbabwe

GWANDA, Jul. 15 (NewsDay Live) – A Gwanda magistrate has questioned whether Zimbabwe’s drug laws are targeting the right offenders, arguing that people arrested for drug possession are often victims of addiction and socio-economic hardship while politically and financially connected suppliers evade justice.

Magistrate Wayne Moyo made the remarks on Wednesday while sentencing 21-year-old Sibusiso Baloyi, who pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing cannabis.

The court heard that detectives on patrol at about 4pm on July 2 spotted Baloyi preparing a cannabis joint at Maqethukane Business Centre in Gwanda. After identifying themselves and searching him, officers recovered a second prepared joint hidden behind his left ear before arresting him.

Moyo fined Baloyi US$150, payable by August 7, with a default sentence of two months’ imprisonment. He also imposed a further two-month prison term, wholly suspended for two years on condition that Baloyi does not commit a similar offence.

In his sentencing remarks, Moyo said drug users should be viewed primarily as victims of addiction rather than criminals.

“It is well-recognised that drugs are inherently addictive, and individuals found in possession are often victims of socio-economic hardships rather than mere criminals,” he said.

He urged authorities to prioritise rehabilitation and counselling services, arguing that enforcement efforts should focus on dismantling drug supply networks instead of punishing users.

“The real culprits behind drug trafficking are often well-connected politically and financially, enabling them to evade arrest and prosecution,” Moyo said.

“The court finds that the typical harsh sentences imposed for such offences may be unnecessarily punitive. Instead, a focus on reform and rehabilitation is warranted.”

Moyo noted that the offence already carries a presumptive penalty of a level five fine or a treatment order, which he said reflected Parliament’s recognition that rehabilitation can be a more appropriate response than imprisonment in suitable cases.

Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Zimnat Insurance Company Limited v Chawanda (1990), Moyo said the law must evolve to reflect changing social realities.

Quoting then Acting Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay, the magistrate said the law in a developing country “cannot afford to remain static” and must adapt to society’s evolving understanding of justice.

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Source: Beitbridge introduces express lane for returning Zimbabweans -Newsday Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans returning from South Africa under the government-assisted repatriation programme will now receive faster processing at Beitbridge Border Post following the introduction of a special clearance channel aimed at reducing delays at the busy crossing point.

The new arrangement, known as the green route, is part of measures being implemented by border authorities to manage increased passenger movement while ensuring that returnees receive efficient assistance during their arrival into the country.

Zimborders manager Nqobile Ncube said the initiative was introduced to separate the government-supported returnees from regular travellers, allowing border officials to process them more quickly and minimise pressure on existing facilities.

“The green route is meant to assist with the smooth movement of Zimbabweans who are coming back home through the repatriation programme. We want to make sure that they are attended to efficiently without creating unnecessary congestion at the border,” Ncube said.

He said Beitbridge Border Post, as Zimbabwe’s busiest entry point, often experiences high volumes of travellers, requiring authorities to continuously adopt new strategies to improve efficiency and maintain smooth operations.

“Beitbridge handles large numbers of people every day, and whenever there are additional movements, especially during organised return programmes, we have to put in place measures that allow us to respond effectively,” he said.

Ncube said the dedicated route would allow border agencies to coordinate better and provide returning citizens with the necessary support while ensuring other travellers continue accessing normal clearance facilities.

“The idea is not only to reduce congestion but also to ensure that people returning home are treated with dignity and processed without unnecessary delays,” he said.

Ncube said Zimborders would continue improving systems at Beitbridge to enhance service delivery as passenger numbers increase.

“We continue to review our operations and introduce measures that improve the experience of travellers using the border post. Efficiency, safety and proper coordination remain our key priorities,” he said.

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Source: Chadzamira commissions US$1,2 million Masvingo City Council equipment – herald

George Maponga

Masvingo Bureau

MASVINGO City Council continues its march towards becoming an industrialised metropolitan by the year 2030 following the commissioning of service vehicles and heavy-duty earth-moving machinery worth over US$1,2 million in the ancient city this afternoon.

The equipment was commissioned alongside the new Runyararo Clinic Maternity Ward in the sprawling Mucheke suburb.

Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira presided over the ceremony, noting that the commissioning of the new equipment and opening of a new maternity wing heralded a new era for the country’s oldest town, which is angling to become an industrialised metropolitan within the next four years.

Runyararo Clinic is run by Masvingo City Council and offers health services to Mucheke residents and others in the Victoria Ranch suburb area.

According to Minister Chadzamira, the opening of the new Runyararo Clinic Maternity Ward is in sync with President Mnangagwa’s vision of making Zimbabwe an upper-middle-income economy, which is underpinned by the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.

He added that the new earth moving equipment and service vehicles procured by the ancient city were major milestones in advancing infrastructural development and quality service delivery.

He lauded Masvingo City Council for heeding President Mnangagwa’s call to action to local authorities for them to be nerve centres for transformative development that will deliver Zimbabwe into Vision 2030.

Minister Chadzamira said the commissioning went beyond mere unveiling of new equipment and infrastructure.

It also directly spoke to the Second Republic’s ongoing drive to improve the lives of citizens through inclusive development.

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