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Source: President calls for local solutions – herald

Zvamaida Murwira, zwamaida.murwira@zimpapers.co.zw

THE ongoing knowledge-driven revolution must create local solutions to address gaps in the various sectors of the economy through specialisation, which remains a critical tool in the country’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda, President Mnangagwa has said.

He said this yesterday while addressing mourners at the burial of national hero, Major-General (Retired) Richard Ruwodo, at the National Heroes’ Acre.

The President also paid his condolences to Zimbabwe’s pioneering anaesthetist, Professor Herbert Chinyanga, as a towering figure in the country’s national development both before and after independence.
Prof Chinyanga died on July 2 in South Africa.

He will be cremated in that country in compliance with his wishes.
In his eulogy, President Mnangagwa said the country’s two gallant sons of the soil, Maj-Gen (Rtd) Ruwodo and Prof Chinyanga, provided a rich repository of service, from which the nation will learn about national sacrifice, professionalism, hard work and love for their motherland.

“I call upon all Zimbabweans across all fields of specialisations, in both the private and public sectors, to emulate their exemplary service,” he said.

“Intellectuals are challenged to turn ideas, scientific thought and practice into tangible products and services that transform the lives of our people. Similarly, the ongoing knowledge-driven revolution under the Second Republic must see us create local solutions to address gaps in the various sectors of the economy.”

President Mnangagwa said under the Second Republic, all areas of specialisation, fields of work and professions remain critical assets and tools at the nation’s disposal that must be appropriately organised for building, modernising and industrialising the nation.

“Through our own collective efforts, the future of our country is bright and Vision 2030 is becoming a reality for the prosperity of all our peoples. This was the desire of our Founding Fathers, along with many of our forebears, freedom fighters, as well as heroes and heroines of the armed liberation struggle,” he said.

“Let us all play our part to keep the flames of independence, freedom, sovereignty, development and prosperity burning brighter and brighter.”

The President said Government will enhance initiatives to improve the quality of ordinary persons.
He added that on its part, the Second Republic will accelerate the implementation of people-centred decisions and resolutions, focused on lifting many out of poverty into a better quality of life.

President Mnangagwa said it was sad that the nation continued to lose the stalwart generation of devoted freedom fighters like Maj-Gen (Rtd)Ruwodo.

However, he said the country remained grateful for the role they played.
“We are emboldened by the new crop of young heroes and heroines who are emerging and taking up the mantle to carry forward the ideals of the liberation struggle as we build our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.

“As we do so, we shall jealously defend, protect and promote our collective national interests and the rich values bequeathed to us by our forebears as well as heroes and heroines, such as the late national hero, Retired Major General Ruwodo.”

Born on March 14, 1954, in Mutasa, Manicaland Province, Maj-Gen (Rtd)Ruwodo went to Mutasa School for his primary education before proceeding to Highfield Secondary in Harare, between 1969 and 1972.

On completion, he got employment as a salesman at Bata Shoe Company in 1973, where he was elevated to a managerial post in recognition of his hard work and leadership qualities.

He gave up his comfort and career prospects in industry to join the liberation struggle in 1975 as a Zanla cadre.
Maj-Gen (Rtd) Ruwodo received military training at Chimoio in Mozambique before deployment to the party headquarters in Maputo as director of finance, working under the late national hero, Cde Ernest Kadungure.

At independence in 1980, the late general officer held various portfolios that contributed to building professionalism within the Zimbabwe National Army.

He began at the level of Deputy Chief Paymaster, later to be appointed as the first black Director of Zimbabwe National Army Pay and Records.

Maj-Gen (Rtd) Ruwodo was awarded the Liberation Medal, Liberation Decoration Silver Medal, Independence Medal, Ten Years’ Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal and the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.

On retirement in 2008, Maj-Gen Ruwodo was appointed Principal Director responsible for War Veterans in the then Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.

Turning to Prof Chinyanga, President Mnangagwa described his life history as an epitaph of patriotism and integrity.
“He was a towering national and pioneering physician whose lifelong service helped to transform the specialisation of anaesthesia, advanced medical education and strengthened Zimbabwe’s healthcare system,” he said.

Born on July 26, 1939, in the then Gwelo, now Gweru, Prof Chinyanga got his primary education at Daramombe Mission between 1946 and 1952, before proceeding to Goromonzi Government School between 1953 and 1957.

He enrolled at the then University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, now the University of Zimbabwe, to study Physics, Chemistry and Zoology, where he earned a prestigious World Health Organisation Scholarship in 1960 to study medicine at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he obtained a Master of Science in Physiology and a Doctor of Medicine.
He briefly worked in Ghana as a lecturer.

In 1973, he moved to Canada and trained as a specialist in anaesthesia and intensive care.
He later qualified as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1978, later completing further fellowship training in pain management.

He joined the University of Toronto and the internationally acclaimed Hospital for Sick Children, where he earned international recognition as an accomplished clinician, researcher and educator.

After Independence, he showed patriotism by returning to work at home.
In 1986, Prof Chinyanga established Zimbabwe’s first postgraduate programmes for the Diploma and Master of Medicine in Anaesthetics at the University of Zimbabwe.

He served as Chairman of the Department of Anaesthetics and later as Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences.

Prof Chinyanga also helped in establishing the School of Medicine at the National University of Science and Technology as well as the School of Medicine at Midlands State University.

At one point, Prof Chinyanga served as president of the Zimbabwe Anaesthetic Association as well as Chairman and Editor of the Central African Journal of Medicine and member of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists.

He was a member of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe and the Research Council of Zimbabwe.
In 2025, the Zimbabwe Anaesthetic Association honoured him as the Father of Anaesthesia in the country.
He retired from active service in December 2024.

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Source: Chief Justice Gwaunza warns against corruption, delays in justice delivery – herald

Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw

CHIEF Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has challenged magistrates to uphold the highest standards of competence, integrity and discipline while embracing digital transformation and prioritising their mental well-being as the judiciary strengthens justice delivery.

Officially opening the 2026 National Magistrates’ Conference in Bulawayo on Friday, Chief Justice Gwaunza said magistrates are the public face of the judiciary and must discharge their duties professionally, ethically and efficiently to maintain public confidence in the justice system.

She said competence is not optional but a constitutional obligation and reminded judicial officers that Section 165 of the Constitution requires them to continually improve their professional knowledge, skills and personal qualities.

“For many citizens, the magistrate is the face of justice. Every magistrate therefore carries not only the responsibility of deciding cases according to law but also of strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice through the manner in which judicial authority is exercised,” said Chief Justice Gwaunza.

She warned against corruption, absenteeism, unnecessary delays in delivering judgments and any conduct that undermines the dignity of judicial office.

“There is no room in the judiciary for any form of misconduct. A magistrate who fails to attend to work diligently, delays judgments without lawful or reasonable cause, neglects court duties or solicits improper benefits undermines both the oath of office and the authority of the court,” she said.

The Chief Justice stressed that judicial competence must also be reflected in the quality of judgments delivered.

“A judgment is the public expression of a magistrate’s reasoning. Clarity of thought, careful assessment of facts and the correct application of the law remain the hallmarks of a sound judgment,” said the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice Gwaunza described magistrates as critical pillars in the administration of justice, saying their work directly influences public confidence in the courts.

“It has been more than three years since magistrates from across the country gathered in a forum of this nature. That gap should remind us not only of the demands of judicial service but also of the importance of occasions such as this,” she said.

“The conference brings together a magistracy that is otherwise dispersed across the country and provides a rare opportunity to reflect, learn from one another and strengthen our shared commitment to the administration of justice.”

Held under the theme: “Competency, Well-being and Effective Justice Delivery in the Magistracy,” the conference brought together magistrates from across Zimbabwe for their first national gathering in more than three years.

Chief Justice Gwaunza said the event offered judicial officers from different provinces an opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen professional relationships and reinforce common standards of judicial practice.

She also highlighted the importance of the welfare of judicial officers, saying mental well-being is now an essential component of effective justice delivery.

Magistrates, Chief Justice Gwaunza said, are routinely exposed to traumatic evidence, complex disputes and decisions with life-changing consequences, making psychosocial support indispensable.

“A judicial officer who is supported in managing those pressures is better able to exercise the patience, balance and clarity of thought that justice demands. By investing in the well-being of magistrates, the Commission is also investing in the quality of judicial decision-making,” she said.

On judicial reforms, Chief Justice Gwaunza said the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) continues to transform the country’s justice delivery system.

She said Manicaland and Mashonaland East became the latest provinces to implement the platform last month, while preparations for Phase 4.4, covering Midlands and Mashonaland West, are now at an advanced stage.

“The move towards e-justice is no longer a future aspiration. It is the direction in which our Judiciary is moving, and it is a journey which we must all embrace and undertake together,” she said.

Chief Justice Gwaunza also commended the adoption of the Integrated Results-Based Management framework, saying it had introduced measurable performance standards that enhance accountability while safeguarding judicial independence.

She welcomed delegates from the Namibian magistracy, describing their participation as another milestone in the growing partnership between the two judiciaries following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024.

She said continued collaboration in judicial education, mediation and electronic case management would strengthen both institutions through the exchange of best practices.

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Source: Government dismisses reports of overcrowding, food shortages at Bulawayo transit centre – herald

Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw

GOVERNMENT has dismissed reports of overcrowding and food shortages at the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) transit centre in Bulawayo, saying the facility is adequately equipped to receive and support Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.

Speaking after touring the Njube-based reception centre yesterday, the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, said claims circulating on social media about congestion, inadequate food supplies and poor living conditions were false and did not reflect the situation on the ground.

She said Government, working with churches, humanitarian organisations and local communities, had put in place comprehensive measures to ensure returnees receive temporary accommodation, food, healthcare and transport assistance before travelling to their respective destinations.

“As Government, working in partnership with churches, humanitarian organisations and local communities, we have established robust mechanisms to ensure that every returnee is received and assisted with dignity,” said Minister Ncube.

She said the transit centre is fully operational, with a registration point, an on-site clinic and a kitchen that operates around the clock to cater for arrivals at any time of the day or night.

“There has been misinformation suggesting that there is congestion and inadequate food at this centre. We want to assure the nation that these reports are not true. Government anticipated this situation and put in place adequate arrangements to receive our people with dignity,” said Minister Ncube.

She said returnees are registered immediately upon arrival before receiving the necessary welfare support.
“The system here is intact. Every person who arrives is first received at a registration point where their details are captured before they are assisted further. There is also a clinic operating within the facility to attend to anyone requiring medical attention immediately upon arrival,” said Minister Ncube.

Health personnel stationed at the centre screen returnees for medical conditions, provide basic treatment where necessary and refer serious cases to health institutions for specialised care.

Minister Ncube said the facility’s kitchen is operational 24 hours a day to ensure that returnees receive hot meals regardless of when buses arrive.

“The kitchen operates 24 hours a day because buses do not arrive according to office hours. Whenever a bus pulls in, regardless of the time, there is a hot meal waiting for those who have travelled long distances,” she said.

The minister added that before leaving for their homes, families are provided with food hampers containing essential commodities, including bags of mealie meal, to ease their reintegration into their communities.

Minister Ncube said the assistance demonstrates Government’s commitment to supporting citizens beyond their stay at the transit centre.

She also commended Bulawayo residents and churches for complementing Government efforts by providing accommodation, food, counselling and volunteer services.

“I want to sincerely commend the churches and the people of Bulawayo. They have demonstrated the true spirit of Ubuntu. Various church denominations have opened their hearts and partnered Government to ensure that our brothers and sisters returning home are welcomed with dignity,” said Minister Ncube.

“This is not Government working alone. This is the community standing together. The response we have witnessed from churches, volunteers and ordinary citizens has been overwhelming and deserves recognition.”

Minister Ncube said the collaboration reflects Zimbabwe’s long-standing culture of solidarity and compassion during times of need.

She urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary anxiety among families with relatives returning from South Africa.

“Our people should rely on verified information. We continue to monitor the situation daily and remain prepared to receive every Zimbabwean returning home safely,” she said.

Officials coordinating operations at the centre said arrivals continue to be processed in an orderly manner, with transport arrangements being made for those travelling to different provinces.

Government departments are working alongside humanitarian organisations at the facility to coordinate registration, welfare support and onward transportation.

The UCCSA transit centre is one of the main reception facilities established in Bulawayo to accommodate Zimbabweans returning from South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks.

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Source: Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe School of Mines launch nationwide mining training drive for small-scale miners – herald

Tichaona Zindoga

THE mining sector is set for a major transformation after Zanu-PF launched a nationwide training programme for small-scale miners to improve safety, productivity and environmental sustainability.

The programme, being implemented in partnership with the Zimbabwe School of Mines, begins in Bulawayo this week with a training-of-trainers workshop before being rolled out across the country.

The ruling party is also pushing for stronger enforcement of legislation designed to ensure that small-scale mining benefits indigenous Zimbabweans while promoting responsible mining practices.

In an interview last week, Zanu-PF secretary for mines and energy, Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, said the initiative was prompted by concerns over unsafe and unsustainable mining methods within the artisanal mining sector, which is largely dominated by miners commonly known as makorokoza.

He said the programme is modelled on the agricultural extension system, where trained personnel provide technical support and practical guidance to communities.

“The course which is taking place is train the trainers on basic mining (on) how you drill, how do you handle explosives, how do you handle chemicals, how do you mine without damaging the environment,” said Cde Mangwana.

“We will think again in conjunction with the School of Mines on other mining courses we can introduce so that we can have a basic mining course, medium mining course and advanced mining course, as we move forward.”

Commenting on the increasing involvement of some foreign players in the sector, Cde Mangwana said the party had engaged Government to tighten regulations, protect opportunities for local miners and bring sanity to the sector.

“We have responded by nagging the Government, which has come up with legislation to restrict all small-scale mining to local people. Foreigners can only come in to do medium to large-scale mining. That is the new law that is being enforced right now,” Cde Mangwana said.

He said foreign investors should focus on bringing substantial capital investment and modern mining technologies to the country.

“But we have said there is now a new definition of small-scale mining. They (foreigners) are not supposed to work on 10 hectares. Anything above that they can participate as foreigners,” said Cde Mangwana.
He said the reforms were intended to promote orderly growth of the mining industry while ensuring Zimbabweans derive maximum benefit from the country’s mineral resources.

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SADC officials are due to meet in Durban in August to discuss industrial advancement, as well as political, defence, safety cooperation.

Source: Migration not on SADC summit agenda but Dirco expresses ‘readiness’ to discuss | The Citizen

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