Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

JOHANNESBURG – Chinese automotive giant Chery has officially taken control of Nissan’s former manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, in a landmark investment that is expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs while reinforcing the country’s position as Africa’s leading automotive production hub.

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Chery’s African growth strategy as Chinese vehicle manufacturers accelerate overseas expansion in response to slowing domestic demand, excess production capacity and intensifying competition in China’s automotive market.

The Rosslyn plant, whose handover was completed on Friday following an agreement announced earlier this year, will become Chery’s regional headquarters for vehicle manufacturing, exports, research and development (R&D), supply chain operations and technical training.

According to the company, the facility is central to its long-term ambition of exceeding 100,000 annual vehicle sales in South Africa while establishing a comprehensive automotive ecosystem to serve markets across the African continent.

“Our long-term goal is to transform the Rosslyn plant into a complete automotive centre with research and development, supply chain operations and training capabilities that will support Chery’s expanding footprint across Africa,” said Chery South Africa Vice President Charlie Zhang.

Major boost for South Africa’s automotive industry

The investment represents a major vote of confidence in South Africa’s manufacturing sector, which remains Africa’s largest automotive production base and export hub. The country hosts manufacturing operations for several global brands, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Toyota, Isuzu and Volkswagen, supported by an established supplier network and world-class export infrastructure.

By acquiring an existing production facility rather than constructing a greenfield plant, Chery gains immediate access to skilled labour, mature logistics networks and an experienced automotive supply chain, significantly reducing the time required to commence production.

The company has committed to retaining all 692 employees currently working at the Rosslyn facility while creating an estimated 3,000 additional direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, logistics, component production and related support services.

Production scheduled for 2027

Before production begins, Chery plans to invest millions of dollars in modernising the factory’s production lines, machinery and utilities, although the company has yet to disclose the total capital investment.

Vehicle manufacturing is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2027, with an initial production target of approximately 15,000 vehicles during the final two quarters of the year.

The facility will initially manufacture several sport utility vehicle (SUV) models, including the Jetour T Series, the Jaecoo J5 and the Chery Tiggo 4.

Reflecting the industry’s transition towards cleaner mobility, the Jaecoo J5 will be produced in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and new energy vehicle (NEV) variants, supporting Chery’s broader strategy of expanding its electric and hybrid vehicle portfolio.

Localisation strategy

A key component of the investment is Chery’s localisation programme, aimed at strengthening South Africa’s automotive value chain.

The company intends to achieve approximately 40% local content during the initial production phase and has already begun assessing South African Tier 1 suppliers for integration into its manufacturing ecosystem.

At the same time, specialised suppliers from China will be introduced to support the production of advanced electric vehicle systems, intelligent driving technologies and other high-value automotive components.

Industry analysts say the localisation strategy has the potential to stimulate supplier development, attract further foreign direct investment and enhance South Africa’s competitiveness as a regional manufacturing and export platform.

China’s automotive expansion gathers pace

Chery’s investment reflects a broader global expansion by Chinese automotive manufacturers, who are increasingly targeting emerging markets as domestic growth moderates.

Leading Chinese brands including BYD, GAC, Great Wall Motor and SAIC have significantly expanded their international manufacturing footprint across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, seeking new markets for both conventional and electric vehicles.

For South Africa, Chery’s acquisition of the Rosslyn plant underscores the country’s strategic importance within the global automotive industry and is expected to strengthen its role as a gateway for vehicle production and exports to the wider African market.

As global competition reshapes automotive supply chains, the investment signals growing confidence in Africa’s manufacturing potential and highlights the continent’s increasing importance in the future of the global automotive industry.

The post China’s Chery Acquires Former Nissan Plant in South Africa, in African Manufacturing Expansion appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

50 Cent is once again strengthening his footprint in television, with Starz moving forward on a new supernatural crime drama adaptation titled Bone Parish, based on Cullen Bunn’s acclaimed graphic novel.

The project marks another major collaboration between the rapper-turned-producer and the premium cable network, as he continues to expand his G-Unit Film & Television portfolio beyond the hugely successful Power universe.

Bone Parish is set in New Orleans and follows the Winters family, a criminal dynasty who build a powerful drug empire using a disturbing substance created from the ashes of the dead. The series blends crime, horror, and supernatural themes, offering a dark and unconventional narrative that Starz is reportedly betting big on.

The adaptation will be led by co-showrunners Diane Ademu-John and Declan de Barra, both of whom bring experience from high-profile fantasy productions including Dune: Prophecy and The Witcher: Blood Origin. The creative team also includes BOOM! Studios executives Stephen Christy and Mette Norkjaer, alongside 50 Cent serving as executive producer.

Speaking on the project, 50 Cent said he was drawn to the story’s genre-bending concept. “It takes crime, family, and power, and mixes it with something dark and supernatural in a way that feels fresh,” he noted, adding that the series explores the collision between the world of the living and the dead.

Industry reports indicate that Starz secured the adaptation following a competitive bidding war, underscoring growing demand for the property. According to TheWrap, the project aligns with Starz’s wider strategy of developing more original, fully owned content, as the network continues to build on its partnership with 50 Cent.

The new series adds to an increasingly busy slate for the producer, who is also preparing the release of Fightland, scheduled to premiere on July 31. Together, the projects highlight 50 Cent’s evolution from music icon to a major force in scripted television production.

The post 50 Cent Expands Starz Television Slate With Supernatural Crime Drama Bone Parish appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

ZANU-PF’s Enduring Grip: Mnangagwa’s ‘Donkeys Grow Horns’ Declaration Amidst Political Tensions and Human Rights Concerns Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa, leader of Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party, recently reiterated a powerful and historically charged declaration, asserting that the party’s dominance would persist until “donkeys grow horns.” This potent metaphor, originally coined by the late Vice President […]

Zimbabwe’s pensions regulator has threatened to crack down on major State-owned enterprises and other employers that have failed to remit millions of United States dollars in pension contributions deducted from employees, warning that persistent defaulters face garnishee orders.

In its first-quarter report, the Insurance and Pensions Commission (Ipec) said total outstanding pension contribution arrears rose 18 percent to US$148,96 million from US$126,26 million recorded in December 2025.

The regulator said a significant share of the arrears is owed by State-owned enterprises, including subsidiaries of Zesa Holdings, as well as several local authorities and commercial entities.

According to Ipec, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) was the largest defaulter, owing ZiG733,08 million, equivalent to about US$28,95 million.

The Zimbabwe Power Company, another Zesa Holdings subsidiary, owed ZiG369,05 million (approximately US$14,58 million), while parent company Zesa Holdings had outstanding pension contributions amounting to ZiG179,50 million (about US$7,09 million).

Other major debtors include Harare City Council, which owes ZiG138,76 million (around US$5,48 million), the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe with ZiG130,73 million (about US$5,16 million), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority with ZiG114,75 million (approximately US$4,53 million), and the National Railways of Zimbabwe, which has arrears of ZiG76,72 million (about US$3,03 million).

Management of several companies named in the report declined to comment, but Ipec said it continued engaging sponsoring employers to recover the outstanding funds.

“The commission continues to engage sponsoring employers to ensure timely remittance of contributions and, in line with the Pensions and Provident Funds Act, will garnish those with long-outstanding balances,” Ipec said.

The regulator noted that pension contributions received during the first quarter totalled US$86,01 million, representing a 13 percent increase from the US$76,26 million collected during the corresponding period last year.

Despite the growth in contributions, arrears continued to rise, reflecting mounting financial pressures across the economy.

Ipec said the 10 biggest defaulters account for about 61,6 percent of the industry’s total pension contribution arrears, highlighting the heavy concentration of debt among a relatively small number of employers, most of them public sector institutions.

The regulator said it was prepared to invoke garnishee orders against employers that continue to ignore regulatory directives, signalling one of its strongest enforcement drives to date.

The increasing arrears come as many sectors of the economy continue to grapple with liquidity constraints under Zimbabwe’s tight monetary policy environment, with several industries experiencing operational challenges and job losses.

Ipec also reported that foreign currency-denominated pension arrears had risen by 15 percent to US$60,52 million by March 31, 2026, compared with US$52,6 million at the end of December 2025.

“By March 31, 2026, foreign currency-denominated contribution arrears had reached US$60,52 million, equivalent to 5% of the sector’s foreign currency-denominated assets,” the commission said.

“To mitigate further accumulation, boards of funds are encouraged to actively engage and work closely with sponsoring employers to address outstanding arrears.”

Despite the growing debt, Zimbabwe’s pensions industry recorded a strong first quarter, with total assets increasing by 10 percent to US$3,41 billion, driven by new investments and gains in property and listed equities.

Ipec said contributions remained the dominant source of pension fund income, accounting for 90 percent of the sector’s US$95,75 million membership-related revenue during the quarter.

Member contributions totalled US$31,37 million, while employers contributed US$46,57 million, resulting in an employer-to-member contribution ratio of 1,49:1.

The regulator also reported a significant improvement in pension records management, with nearly 147 000 Zimbabweans being reunited with their pension records following a major data clean-up undertaken in partnership with the Construction Industries Pension Fund.

The exercise contributed to a 14 percent increase in total pension fund membership, which now exceeds 1,14 million members.

Looking ahead, Ipec said its supervisory efforts would increasingly focus on strengthening compliance, operational discipline and fiduciary accountability across the pensions sector while taking tougher action against employers that fail to safeguard workers’ retirement savings.

Source – The Independent

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Source: Major Immigration Policy Shift in South Africa, Quietly One of the Biggest in Years

Zimbabweans who came to South Africa after the economic collapse of 2008 are facing the threat of having to uproot themselves once more as their visas expire.

This is not a routine policy adjustment.

This is a structural redesign of South Africa’s immigration framework.

Here are some of the key approved changes:

1. Universal Digital Birth and Death Registration.

The Department of Home Affairs will implement mandatory digital birth and death registration covering citizens and all foreigners living in South Africa.

This means everyone in South Africa becomes digitally traceable within the population system.

2. Intelligent Population Register (IPR)

A new Intelligent Population Register will capture biometrics of every person living in South Africa, not just citizens.

Currently, the National Population Register only includes South African citizens.

This change expands biometric tracking to foreign nationals, asylum seekers, visa holders, and long term residents.

This is a fundamental shift toward full population monitoring.

3. Hospital Based Biometric Birth Registration

Newborns will be biometrically linked to parents at birth, whether the parents are citizens or foreign nationals.

This will significantly tighten citizenship verification and migration tracking from birth.

4. New Visa Categories Introduced

The government will introduce:

• Remote Work Visa

• Start Up Visa

• Sector Based Work Visa

• Sports and Arts Visa

This signals a more targeted and economically driven immigration system.

5. Critical Skills and General Work Visas Replaced

The current Critical Skills Visa and General Work Visa will be replaced by a Skilled Worker Visa adjudicated through a Points Based System (PBS).

This mirrors immigration systems used in countries like Canada, Australia and the UK.

Translation:

Immigration will become more selective and competitive.

6. Visitor Visa Overhaul

Visitor visas will now strictly prohibit:

• Work

• Study

• Business

Unless specifically authorised.

This will close many grey areas previously relied upon by foreigners.

7. Investment Linked Visa Replacing Financially Independent PR

A new investment linked financially independent visa will replace the existing financially independent permanent residence category.

This suggests higher financial thresholds for wealthy applicants.

But Here Is the Most Significant Policy Shift

The White Paper now empowers South Africa to:

• Deny entry to asylum seekers who passed through a safe third country

• Reserve certain occupations, trades and professions exclusively for South Africans

This is a major tightening of immigration policy.

Implications for Foreigners in South Africa

This affects:

•  ZEP holders

• Asylum seekers

• General work visa holders

• Students

• Permanent residence applicants

• Undocumented migrants

• Business visa holders

1. ZEP Holders

The direction is clear.

Policy is shifting toward skills based, economically justified migration.

This means future regularisation pathways may become:

• More restrictive

• Skills dependent

• Points based

• Time limited

ZEP holders without scarce or critical skills may face increased vulnerability in future policy decisions.

2. Asylum Seekers

The safe third country rule is a major development.

Asylum seekers who passed through countries like:

• Botswana

• Mozambique

• Zambia

• Namibia

may now legally be denied entry or protection.

This significantly tightens asylum access.

3. General Work Visa Holders

The Points Based System means:

• Education matters more

• Income matters more

• Skills scarcity matters more

• Age may matter

• Experience will matter

Immigration becomes merit based, not presence based.

4. Informal Sector Foreign Nationals

The proposal to reserve occupations for South Africans may affect:

• Informal traders

• Small scale business operators such as Spaza shop owners.

• Lowly skilled workers like domestic workers and waiters.

This is potentially one of the most impactful changes for everyday migrants.

Strategic Legal Interpretation

This White Paper signals a policy philosophy shift:

From

Immigration Management

To

Immigration Selection

From

Presence Based Tolerance

To

Skills Based Admission

Calm authority requires clarity.

South Africa is not closing its doors.

It is narrowing the doorway.

Foreign nationals should begin regularising, strengthening qualifications, and securing legal status now.

Because the direction is no longer ambiguous.

It is strategic, structured, and tightening.

Strategic Legal Thinking. Calm Authority. Real Solutions.

Kind regards,

Velempini Ndlovu Lawyer | Principal Immigration Strategist ExploreAll Immigration Consultancy (Pty) Ltd  www.exploreall.co.za  velempini@exploreall.co.za  WhatsApp: +27 83 879 8114  Landline: +27 12 883 8962

#ImmigrationSA

#HomeAffairs

#ZEP

#VisaPolicy

#veapclassics

P.S. Please like and share as the people who need this information may be on your timeline.

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