Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Learn about the Zimbabwe lithium concentrate ban and its timeline for exports. Key updates on the mining landscape await.

Source: Zimbabwe Lithium Concentrate Ban Set for January 2027 – Energy News Network

Harare requires exports of concentrate to stop on 1 January and has made written commitments on plant timelines a condition of trading until then. Two facilities are still under construction. Producers have asked for the date to move, and the answer will decide who is exporting in February.

Zimbabwe’s ban on exports of lithium concentrate takes effect on 1 January 2027, and the country currently has one completed lithium sulphate plant.

The regime built around that date has been tightening for a year. Harare suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect on 25 February, in a decision announced by Mines Minister Polite Kambamura, with a ministry letter dated 17 February citing continued malpractices in mineral exports. Conditions for resuming trade were set out in an April letter to the Chamber of Mines, and they included written commitments on timelines for building lithium sulphate plants before the January deadline. A 10 per cent export tax runs on concentrate until the ban lands.

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, owned by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, has completed a $400 million sulphate plant at Arcadia. Sinomine’s $500 million facility at Bikita and Yahua’s plant at Kamativi are both under construction. State-owned Sandawana remains at feasibility.

The arithmetic that follows is straightforward. A producer without a plant on 1 January has ore it cannot ship in the form it can currently sell, and a domestic buyer with a completed facility is the only route to market inside the country.

Reports have circulated that the Zimbabwe Lithium Producers’ Association has asked for the beneficiation deadline to move to mid-2027, though the request has not been confirmed by government or by the association directly. Whether it is granted is the question every producer in the country is now pricing.

The regional context sharpens it. Namibia has prohibited exports of unprocessed lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earths. Mali is building a domestic gold refinery alongside a refining requirement. The Democratic Republic of Congo approved the 900-hectare Musompo precursor zone in February, targeting around $2 billion of private investment for nickel-manganese-cobalt powders.

Zimbabwe and Zambia meet at Livingstone in November. By then the deadline will be six weeks away and either the extension will have been granted or it will not.

The post Zimbabwe Lithium Concentrate Ban Set for January 2027 appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Bail hearing to continue on Wednesday as she remains in custody

Source: Kelsea Tafirenyika says Mnangagwa son gifted her US$9.3m property empire – Zimbabwe News Now

Kelsea Tafirenyika is taken to court on August 21, 2026

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law Kelsea Tafirenyika says the luxury properties and vehicles at the centre of a US$9.3 million money-laundering case were gifts from her husband, Collins Mnangagwa, who she says has a vast business empire capable of funding the lavish purchases.

But Tafirenyika remained behind bars after her bail hearing was pushed to Wednesday, with the State insisting that police have documentary and witness evidence linking the assets to suspected proceeds from alleged drug dealing.

Tafirenyika, who is represented by lawyer Admire Rubaya, is accused of laundering proceeds allegedly generated from the unlawful dealing in pethidine hydrochloride, morphine sulphate and dagga.

The State says the assets identified in Zimbabwe have a declared value of US$9,353,750, excluding a Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number AHQ 2800, which has not yet been valued.

The portfolio allegedly includes 10 properties in Harare’s northern suburbs, among them a US$1.1 million house in Borrowdale Brooke, an US$850,000 property in Borrowdale, an US$800,000 property in Chisipite and another Borrowdale property valued at US$750,000.

Police also cite two Lamborghinis valued at US$561,000 and US$577,300, a Bentley Continental worth US$380,000, a Land Rover valued at US$380,000 and a Jaguar worth US$340,000.

During cross-examination of investigating officer Detective Assistant Inspector Gift Machipisa, Rubaya challenged the State to dispute Tafirenyika’s explanation that the assets registered in her name were gifts from her husband.

Machipisa said police had “evidence contradicting that account, including evidence that some of the properties were paid for in cash.”

He singled out a property in Victoria Falls, telling the court that “its owner had acknowledged receiving cash from Tafirenyika.”

Machipisa said the State had already secured vehicle registration confirmations from the Central Vehicle Registry for nine vehicles and title deeds and Deeds Registry search results for the 10 Zimbabwean properties.

“The State case does not rest upon inference,” Machipisa said, adding that it was anchored on “institutional records and in real evidence already in the possession of the Police.”

He said police had also recovered an alleged forged national identity document bearing the name Getrude Badza from Tafirenyika.

The State alleges that Tafirenyika has no employment or disclosed lawful source of income capable of explaining the acquisition of assets worth millions of dollars over about three-and-a-half years.

Police further allege that she owns or controls 13 properties outside Zimbabwe, located in Dubai and South Africa, giving her access to foreign jurisdictions should she be released.

The alleged forged identity document was also cited as a flight-risk concern.

Rubaya also challenged the investigating officer’s affidavit, arguing that it had not been properly commissioned because the person who signed it did not state his rank.

Tafirenyika was re-arrested on Thursday moments after securing release from remand prison on US$1,000 bail in a separate drug-related case.

She is on remand in that case together with her uncle, Isaac Jessub, with both accused of drug possession.

The State alleges that the latest investigation also extends to three companies Apex Logistics Pvt Ltd, Royal Printing Pvt Ltd and With Three Investments Pvt Ltd — which police claim were used to conceal and layer the alleged proceeds.

Police are pursuing banking records, registry documents and information on assets held abroad and intend to seek assistance from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Machipisa said the investigation was expected to be completed within two months.

Magistrate Francis Mapfumo postponed the proceedings to Wednesday after Machipisa asked to be excused to attend his father’s burial, leaving Tafirenyika facing more nights in custody as she fights the State’s opposition to her release.

The post Kelsea Tafirenyika says Mnangagwa son gifted her US$9.3m property empire appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Bail hearing to continue on Wednesday as she remains in custody

Source: Kelsea Tafirenyika says Mnangagwa son gifted her US$9.3m property empire – Zimbabwe News Now

Kelsea Tafirenyika is taken to court on August 21, 2026

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter-in-law Kelsea Tafirenyika says the luxury properties and vehicles at the centre of a US$9.3 million money-laundering case were gifts from her husband, Collins Mnangagwa, who she says has a vast business empire capable of funding the lavish purchases.

But Tafirenyika remained behind bars after her bail hearing was pushed to Wednesday, with the State insisting that police have documentary and witness evidence linking the assets to suspected proceeds from alleged drug dealing.

Tafirenyika, who is represented by lawyer Admire Rubaya, is accused of laundering proceeds allegedly generated from the unlawful dealing in pethidine hydrochloride, morphine sulphate and dagga.

The State says the assets identified in Zimbabwe have a declared value of US$9,353,750, excluding a Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number AHQ 2800, which has not yet been valued.

The portfolio allegedly includes 10 properties in Harare’s northern suburbs, among them a US$1.1 million house in Borrowdale Brooke, an US$850,000 property in Borrowdale, an US$800,000 property in Chisipite and another Borrowdale property valued at US$750,000.

Police also cite two Lamborghinis valued at US$561,000 and US$577,300, a Bentley Continental worth US$380,000, a Land Rover valued at US$380,000 and a Jaguar worth US$340,000.

During cross-examination of investigating officer Detective Assistant Inspector Gift Machipisa, Rubaya challenged the State to dispute Tafirenyika’s explanation that the assets registered in her name were gifts from her husband.

Machipisa said police had “evidence contradicting that account, including evidence that some of the properties were paid for in cash.”

He singled out a property in Victoria Falls, telling the court that “its owner had acknowledged receiving cash from Tafirenyika.”

Machipisa said the State had already secured vehicle registration confirmations from the Central Vehicle Registry for nine vehicles and title deeds and Deeds Registry search results for the 10 Zimbabwean properties.

“The State case does not rest upon inference,” Machipisa said, adding that it was anchored on “institutional records and in real evidence already in the possession of the Police.”

He said police had also recovered an alleged forged national identity document bearing the name Getrude Badza from Tafirenyika.

The State alleges that Tafirenyika has no employment or disclosed lawful source of income capable of explaining the acquisition of assets worth millions of dollars over about three-and-a-half years.

Police further allege that she owns or controls 13 properties outside Zimbabwe, located in Dubai and South Africa, giving her access to foreign jurisdictions should she be released.

The alleged forged identity document was also cited as a flight-risk concern.

Rubaya also challenged the investigating officer’s affidavit, arguing that it had not been properly commissioned because the person who signed it did not state his rank.

Tafirenyika was re-arrested on Thursday moments after securing release from remand prison on US$1,000 bail in a separate drug-related case.

She is on remand in that case together with her uncle, Isaac Jessub, with both accused of drug possession.

The State alleges that the latest investigation also extends to three companies Apex Logistics Pvt Ltd, Royal Printing Pvt Ltd and With Three Investments Pvt Ltd — which police claim were used to conceal and layer the alleged proceeds.

Police are pursuing banking records, registry documents and information on assets held abroad and intend to seek assistance from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Machipisa said the investigation was expected to be completed within two months.

Magistrate Francis Mapfumo postponed the proceedings to Wednesday after Machipisa asked to be excused to attend his father’s burial, leaving Tafirenyika facing more nights in custody as she fights the State’s opposition to her release.

The post Kelsea Tafirenyika says Mnangagwa son gifted her US$9.3m property empire appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Kombi rammed into the back of a tipper truck

Source: 6 Highlanders fans killed in Filabusi horror crash – Zimbabwe News Now

Accident which killed six Highlanders fans in Filabusi on August 23, 2026

•  

BULAWAYO – Six Highlanders fans died on the spot while five others were injured when a Nissan NV350 kombi they were travelling in rammed into the rear of a tipper truck near Filabusi on Sunday night.

The accident happened in the Amazon area, about 15km from Filabusi, as the fans were returning from Bulawayo, where they had watched their team beat Herentals 2-0.

Highlanders extended its condolences to the bereaved families, relatives and friends, saying the deceased had travelled to the match “with love, loyalty and pride for the club.”

“They were part of our 100-year family, and their absence will be deeply felt on the terraces of Barbourfields Stadium,” the club said in a statement.

The club said five other supporters were injured in the accident, with four admitted to Filabusi District Hospital and one in critical condition at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

“We also wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured and are currently receiving treatment,” the statement said.

The accident is the second involving Highlanders fans from Filabusi in the space of five months.

In April, seven fans died at the Umzingwane River bridge in Mawabeni in a multi-vehicle pile-up while returning from a match against FC Platinum.

The post 6 Highlanders fans killed in Filabusi horror crash appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Mabvuku clinic treats 20 STI cases daily as infections rise in 18-24 age group ⋆ Pindula News

Scottland Medical Centre in Mabvuku, Harare, is treating between 18 and 20 patients for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Reports suggest that about 20 per cent of young adults aged 18 to 24 have chlamydia, gonorrhoea or trichomoniasis, while one in four women treated for vaginal discharge have gonorrhoea.

Speaking during a recent tour of the facility, Scottland Medical Centre and Maternity general practitioner Albert Mudarikwa said the free clinic is stepping up community outreach programmes to promote prevention, testing and early treatment.

“Here in Mabvuku we are also seeing cases of sexually transmitted infections,” he said.

“At the moment, we are seeing a high number of STI cases on a daily basis, with about 18 to 20 patients presenting with STIs,” he said.

“We usually conduct community outreach programmes to provide information, raise awareness and encourage people to prevent unprotected sex and reduce their risk of infection.

“We need to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections and the importance of prevention, early testing and treatment.”

Mudarikwa added that at least 40 per cent of the STI patients are HIV-positive, while at least half are HIV-negative.

“Usually, when patients present with STIs, we first screen them for HIV because people living with HIV may be more vulnerable to certain infections, including STIs,” he said.

The post Mabvuku clinic treats 20 STI cases daily as infections rise in 18-24 age group appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.