Econet explains how Smart4U bundles work, clarifies Fair Usage Policy

Source: Econet explains how Smart4U bundles work, clarifies Fair Usage Policy — CITEZW Econet Wireless Zimbabwe says it has reviewed its Smart4U bundle offering as part of ongoing efforts to align the popular product with changing customer needs and usage patterns, while at the same time clarifying how the product works. The review comes amid […]

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Source: Econet explains how Smart4U bundles work, clarifies Fair Usage Policy — CITEZW

Econet logo

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe says it has reviewed its Smart4U bundle offering as part of ongoing efforts to align the popular product with changing customer needs and usage patterns, while at the same time clarifying how the product works.

The review comes amid growing customer enquiries over why some customers receive different Smart4U offers and why certain Smart4U bundles no longer appeared on their menus. Others wanted to understand why internet speeds may change after they reach specific usage levels.

According to Econet, Smart4U bundles are personalised offers that combines voice, data and SMS into a single package, tailored to a specific individual customer’s usage habits.

Unlike standard bundles that are available to all customers, Smart4U offers are generated based on an assessment of a subscriber’s voice, data and SMS usage over the previous three months.

  • This therefore means different customers will receive different bundle offers, based on their unique usage patterns. At the same time, there is also the possibility of an individual customer’s offer increasing, decreasing, disappearing or reappearing over time – based on changes in their usage patterns.

“Smart4U is designed to provide customers with value based on their unique usage patterns,” Econet said.

“Because every customer’s needs – and therefore usage patterns – are different, the available offer per customer will vary from one subscriber to another,” the company said.

It added that a key area requiring greater customer awareness was the Fair Usage Policy (FUP), which applies to Smart4U bundles and is designed to ensure a fair and consistent experience for all users across the network.

FUP is an accepted practice among internet and mobile broadband service providers globally, that ensures equitable network performance for all customers by preventing a small number of excessively heavy users from degrading the quality of service for the rest of the users.

“The policy helps protect network performance, prevent inequitable use of network resources and guarantees critical access to services for all customers as data consumption continues to grow,” Econet said.

Under the Fair Usage Policy, customers enjoy maximum internet speeds available in their location. However, once certain usage thresholds are reached, browsing speeds may gradually start to decrease – in stages – to help maintain overall network quality in the area for all customers.

Econet explained that Smart4U operates through three usage stages.

“During the primary and first stage, customers access the highest available speeds on the network. Once the applicable Fair Usage threshold is reached, users move to a secondary stage where speeds are reduced, with a further reduction in speeds occuring in the third and last stage, if usage continues beyond prescribed limits,” Econet explained.

It noted, however, that a customer can boost their speeds – back to the maximum available speed in their location – by purchasing a Smart 4U Top Up bundle.

The company stressed that Fair Usage Policies are widely used by telecommunications operators the world over, to balance rising demand for data services with available network resources and capacity to offer the service.

Econet also noted that actual internet speeds can be influenced by several other factors – including location, network coverage, device capability and congestion levels at a particular time.

Smart4U bundles remain valid for 30 days or until the allocated data is exhausted, whichever comes first, and can only be purchased once per calendar month.

However, a customer who deplete their Smart4U allocation before the 30-day bundle expiry period is reached, has the option to purchase a Smart4U Top-Up bundle.

Econet said top-up bundles restore browsing speeds to the maximum level available in the customer’s location, subject to prevailing network conditions, allowing customers to continue enjoying high-speed internet access.

The company also reminded customers that Smart4U bundles are non-transferable and intended for use on the purchasing line only. It said tethering and hotspot functionalities are not supported under the Smart4U bundle offer.

Customers can check whether they qualify for a Smart4U bundle by dialling *143#, selecting their preferred currency option, then choosing the Data and Smart4U menu options. If they are not eligible, they can select any other available bundle offers on the menu.

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Guard acquitted of murder after illegal miner shot dead at Inyathi mine

Fatal shot fired after mine overrun by over 50 gold panners Source: Guard acquitted of murder after illegal miner shot dead at Inyathi mine – Zimbabwe News Now Acquitted … Mbekezeli Ngwabi HWANGE – A security guard who shot dead an illegal gold panner during a confrontation at a mine near Inyathi last year has […]

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Fatal shot fired after mine overrun by over 50 gold panners

Source: Guard acquitted of murder after illegal miner shot dead at Inyathi mine – Zimbabwe News Now

Acquitted … Mbekezeli Ngwabi

HWANGE – A security guard who shot dead an illegal gold panner during a confrontation at a mine near Inyathi last year has been acquitted of murder, with the High Court finding that he acted in self-defence and out of necessity.

Mbekezeli Ngwabi, 52, of Tshongogwe village in Lupane, was found not guilty by Justice Nokuthula Moyo of the Bulawayo High Court, sitting on circuit in Hwange on Wednesday.

He had pleaded not guilty to murdering Thabo Ngwenya, 31, of Mtshatshane village in Cross Zenka, Nkayi, who died after being shot once in the chest on November 30, 2025.

Defence lawyer Nkosiyenzile Mpofu of Abel Law Chambers told journalists outside court that the judge had accepted both lines of defence raised on Ngwabi’s behalf.

“The judge accepted that this was self-defence in terms of section 253 of the criminal code because he had no other option and the force he used was proportionate given the imminent harm,” Mpofu said.

“We further placed a defence of necessity in terms of section 263 of the code and the judge also agreed with us. We are very pleased for our client who regains his freedom after a very unfortunate situation where someone has died.”

Ngwabi was employed as a security guard at DGL5 Queens Mine in Inyathi.

According to the Nationalist Prosecuting Authority (NPA), he and two colleagues – Elisha Mutsvayi and Lawrence Sam – were on patrol at around 10AM when they came across a group of illegal miners working the mine’s claim. The trio managed to arrest one of the miners, but the rest fled.

The group of illegal miners then regrouped and began pelting Ngwabi and his colleagues with stones, demanding the release of the man who had been detained.

The NPA said the miners became increasingly aggressive and overpowered the guards, who released their captive, but the attack continued.

Fleeing towards the mine’s gate, Ngwabi and his colleagues found their path blocked by the miners. It was at this point, the prosecution said, that Ngwabi fired a single shot from a 12-bore Escort shotgun, fatally wounding Matsvai in the chest. The miners scattered, while the deceased ran roughly 100 metres before collapsing and dying of his injuries.

In his defence outline, Ngwabi gave a more detailed account, stating he had responded to an alarm raised over a group of 50 to 60 illegal miners threatening guards at one of the mine’s shafts. He said that after one miner was detained, the crowd – armed with stones, axes, picks, catapults and machetes – charged at the guards, who retreated towards the mine entrance while firing repeated warning shots of rubber bullets.

According to the defence, Ngwabi released the detained miner as the mob continued advancing and shouting that the guards should be beaten, but the crowd pressed forward regardless. Having exhausted his supply of rubber bullets, he loaded live ammunition and discharged it towards the ground in a further bid to scare off his attackers, only for it to strike and fatally wound the deceased.

The defence outline stated that the mob, after the shooting, went on to vandalise the mine’s guardroom, destroy surveillance cameras, force entry into company offices and loot laptops and gold ore, before police arrived roughly an hour later and arrested Ngwabi.

Ngwabi argued he had acted to protect mine property and the lives of himself and his colleagues against an unlawful, imminent and life-threatening attack, with no reasonable means of escape available, and that he had exhausted lesser options including retreat and warning shots before resorting to live ammunition.

He denied any intention to kill or injure the deceased, maintaining that the fatal wound was unintended and accidental.

Three of Ngwabi’s mine co-workers, Msiziwethu Mathuthu, Simion Khumalo and William Shiri, gave broadly consistent accounts in their witness statements of seeing the accused and two colleagues being chased towards the mine fence by a crowd of illegal miners armed with shovels, picks, small axes and stones, who were heard shouting in Ndebele for the guards to stop beating one of their number and to leave the area.

The witnesses said that once cornered at the fence, Ngwabi turned and fired a shot, after which the miners dispersed and the guards were able to enter the mine premises.

A forensic ballistics report compiled by Stephen Gundumure, a forensic firearms identification officer at the Forensic Science Directorate, confirmed that the shotgun used by Ngwabi had been fired, and that test cartridges fired from it matched the spent cartridge case recovered from the scene. The weapon did not match any other crime scenes on the ballistics database.

Detective Constable Lameck Ndlovu of CID Inyathi, who attended the scene and recovered the firearm and spent cartridge, also gave a statement, as did pathologist Dr Sanganai Pesanai of United Bulawayo Hospitals, who carried out the post-mortem examination on the deceased.

Mncedisi Dube prosecuted for the NPA.

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Senate passes constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa’s term 

Zanu PF did not have required two thirds majority and relied on chiefs – and CCC senators Source: Senate passes constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa’s term – Zimbabwe News Now President Emmerson Mnangagwa HARARE – The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, paving the way for […]

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Zanu PF did not have required two thirds majority and relied on chiefs – and CCC senators

Source: Senate passes constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa’s term – Zimbabwe News Now

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

HARARE – The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, paving the way for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.

Seventy-five senators voted in favour of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, while four voted against it – well clear of the 54 votes needed for the required two-thirds majority. There was one abstention.

Zanu PF, which has 33 senators against the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change’s 27, did not on its own command a two-thirds majority. But 18 traditional leaders and two representatives for persons with disabilities, who generally vote with the ruling party, helped close the gap.

Even so, the bill would not have passed without the support of CCC senators aligned to Sengezo Tshabangu, who seized control of the party’s structures after the 2023 elections with the backing of Zanu PF and the courts.

Tshabangu recalled more than 20 CCC legislators from parliament and Zanu PF went on to win most of the resulting by-elections, while Tshabangu used his control of the party to fill remaining proportional representation vacancies, including Senate seats, with loyalists.

Only four opposition senators voted against the Bill: Sesel Zvidzai of Midlands, Solani Moyo, Meliwe Phuthi and Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa, all of Matabeleland South.

Tuesday’s Second Reading debate had given an early indication of the fracture lines within the CCC bench. Senator Solani Moyo, also of Matabeleland South delivered an uncompromising rejection of CAB3 in debate, while senators Linda Sibanda, Kudakwashe Matibiri and Tapfumanei Muzoda each signalled qualified or partial support for the bill even as they raised specific reservations.

The bill also provides for the president to be elected by parliament rather than directly by voters, a change debated extensively in Tuesday’s sitting. It will become law once signed by Mnangagwa.

Signs that Mnangagwa, 83, wanted to extend his time in office beyond the end of his second term in 2028 first emerged roughly two years ago, when his supporters began chanting slogans at Zanu PF rallies asserting that he needed more time to complete his agenda. The ruling party resolved last year to pursue the constitutional changes, a plan that received cabinet backing in February.

Mnangagwa came to power after a 2017 military coup ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who had governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

Critics say the bill is a vehicle for Mnangagwa to extend his hold on power, while its backers argue it will strengthen accountability and foster political stability.

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Mahere Condemns Arrest Of Chiredzi Man Who Slammed Demolition Of Vending Stalls In Viral Video

Source: Mahere Condemns Arrest Of Chiredzi Man Who Slammed Demolition Of Vending Stalls In Viral Video ⋆ Pindula News Lawyer and former MP Fadzayi Mahere has condemned the arrest of Tafadzwa Matanhuse, a Chiredzi resident detained after he criticised the destruction of vending stalls in the town by local authorities. Police confirmed on Tuesday that […]

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Source: Mahere Condemns Arrest Of Chiredzi Man Who Slammed Demolition Of Vending Stalls In Viral Video ⋆ Pindula News

Mahere Condemns Arrest Of Chiredzi Man Who Slammed Demolition Of Vending Stalls In Viral Video

Lawyer and former MP Fadzayi Mahere has condemned the arrest of Tafadzwa Matanhuse, a Chiredzi resident detained after he criticised the destruction of vending stalls in the town by local authorities.

Police confirmed on Tuesday that they had arrested Tafadzwa Nelston Matanhuse, 32, of Chiredzi, on allegations of incitement to commit public violence.

Reports indicate that Matanhuse handed himself in on Tuesday after learning that police were looking for him. He was accompanied by his lawyer, Martin Mureri.

The arrest follows a viral video in which Matanhuse accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and businessman Wicknell Chivayo of ordering the demolition of vendors’ stalls in Chiredzi, saying the move had left scores of vulnerable families facing hunger.

In the clip, he called Mnangagwa and Chivayo “dogs” and described them as selfish and indifferent to the poor. He also dared them to kill him if they wished.

Matanhuse criticised the pair for donating expensive cars to the wealthy while ordinary people went hungry.

He further claimed that Mnangagwa would no longer care for citizens after securing a two-year term extension from Parliament.

Mahere described Matanhuse’s arrest as “despicable”, saying it showed that the Government was “anti-poor, anti-progress and anti-people”.

“The despicable arrest of Tafadzwa Matanhuse tells us everything we need to know about this Govt. They are anti-poor, anti-progress and anti-people. You violently destroy people’s source of livelihood, then gaslight us all by arresting them on a bogus charge of ‘incitement to violence’ for calling out your callousness? What a shameful, vile lot you all are,” Mahere wrote on Facebook.

The demolitions, carried out on Friday, come as the ZANU-PF-led Government pursues constitutional amendments that could delay elections by a further two years, pushing them to 2030.

Affected vendors expressed grief, frustration and hopelessness, accusing the council of destroying their livelihoods without prior notice.

One woman said she had relied on her vending income to educate her children. She said her eldest daughter was completing her undergraduate degree, while her younger daughter was preparing to start university.

Speaking in desperation, she asked whether the Government’s actions were effectively telling her daughters to turn to prostitution to survive.

Chiredzi Central MP Ropafadzo Makumire criticised the demolitions, saying he opposed “decisions that are unreasonable, insensitive, and made without following proper legal and policy procedures”.

Makumire argued that the Government was contradicting itself by destroying markets while simultaneously promising to build better facilities.

He said authorities were already struggling to improve service delivery, which remained below acceptable standards.

Makumire questioned the rationale for demolishing the structures without first providing a viable alternative for affected vendors.

“My question is simple: if there are no resources to provide an alternative, why demolish their makeshift structures and evict them in the first place? Development should improve people’s livelihoods, not destroy them without a viable plan,” said Makumire.

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Zimbabwe’s Economy Rebased to US$59.7 Billion as ZIMSTAT Reports 8.3% Growth in 2025

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s economy expanded to an estimated US$59.7 billion in 2025, following a major rebasing exercise by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) that updated the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reference year from 2023 to 2025. According to newly released national accounts data, GDP at current market prices reached ZWG1.55 trillion in 2025, […]

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HARARE – Zimbabwe’s economy expanded to an estimated US$59.7 billion in 2025, following a major rebasing exercise by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) that updated the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reference year from 2023 to 2025.

According to newly released national accounts data, GDP at current market prices reached ZWG1.55 trillion in 2025, up from ZWG822.9 billion in 2024. Using year-end exchange rates, this translates to approximately US$59.7 billion, compared to US$31.9 billion the previous year.

The rebasing exercise, a standard statistical procedure undertaken periodically by national statistical agencies worldwide, provides a more accurate reflection of the economy’s structure, production patterns and expenditure trends by adopting a more recent benchmark year.

GDP Rebasing Reflects Changing Economic Structure

ZIMSTAT selected 2025 as the new base year after determining it represented a relatively stable economic period characterised by lower inflation, a strong agricultural season, improved mining performance and favourable international commodity prices, particularly for gold.

GDP rebasing does not in itself create economic growth. Instead, it updates the weights assigned to different sectors and activities within the economy, ensuring national accounts better capture emerging industries, shifts in production and evolving consumption patterns.

The move aligns Zimbabwe’s statistical framework with international best practices and provides policymakers, investors and development partners with a more accurate picture of the country’s economic structure.

Real Economic Growth Reaches 8.3%

Using constant 2025 prices, Zimbabwe recorded real GDP growth of 8.3% in 2025, indicating genuine expansion in economic activity after adjusting for price changes.

GDP at constant prices increased from ZWG1.432 trillion in 2024 to ZWG1.551 trillion in 2025, reflecting broad-based growth across several productive sectors.

The strong growth performance was largely driven by agriculture, mining, electricity generation, transport services and tourism-related activities.

Manufacturing Retains Largest Share of GDP

Sectoral data show that manufacturing remained the largest contributor to Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for 16.8% of total GDP.

Mining and quarrying followed closely at 15.9%, underscoring the sector’s continued strategic importance to economic growth and foreign currency generation.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing contributed 11.1%, while wholesale and retail trade accounted for 11.0%. Financial and insurance activities represented 6.3% of GDP.

Collectively, these five sectors generated more than 60% of national economic output, highlighting the dominant role of industry, resource extraction, commerce and financial services in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape.

Agriculture Emerges as Fastest-Growing Sector

Agriculture recorded the strongest expansion during the year, growing by 27.9%, supported by favourable weather conditions and improved crop yields.

Electricity supply grew by 14.9%, reflecting increased power generation capacity and improved energy availability to productive sectors.

The accommodation and food services sector expanded by 12.8%, signalling continued recovery in tourism and hospitality activities.

Transport and storage, as well as mining and quarrying, each grew by 10.4%, benefiting from increased economic activity and stronger commodity production.

The robust performance across multiple sectors points to a more diversified growth profile compared to previous years, where mining and agriculture often dominated economic expansion.

Household Spending Continues to Drive Growth

Analysis of GDP through the expenditure approach shows that household consumption remained the primary engine of economic activity.

Household spending reached ZWG1.208 trillion, equivalent to approximately US$46.5 billion, accounting for 77.9% of GDP.

Government consumption represented 12.8% of economic output, while gross capital formation, a key indicator of investment, stood at ZWG116.5 billion, or 7.5% of GDP.

Net exports remained negative at ZWG14.8 billion, indicating that imports continued to exceed exports during the year despite strong mineral exports.

Economists often view sustained improvements in investment levels as critical for raising future productive capacity and supporting long-term economic growth.

Labour Income Accounts for Largest Share of GDP

The income-based measure of GDP reveals that compensation of employees remained the largest component of national income generation.

Wages and salaries amounted to ZWG668.3 billion, representing 43.1% of GDP.

Gross operating surplus, which measures corporate profits and business earnings, reached ZWG517.9 billion, while mixed income generated by small businesses and informal sector activities totalled ZWG278.2 billion.

Net taxes on products contributed ZWG86.2 billion to overall GDP.

The figures highlight the significant role played by labour income in supporting domestic consumption and economic activity.

New Benchmark for Economic Planning

The rebased GDP estimates provide a revised benchmark for assessing Zimbabwe’s economic performance and future growth prospects.

The data portray an economy benefiting from strong agricultural recovery, sustained mining expansion and improved performance in infrastructure-related sectors such as electricity and transport.

With GDP now estimated at nearly US$60 billion, the updated national accounts offer policymakers and investors a clearer picture of the size, composition and trajectory of the Zimbabwean economy.

Going forward, 2025 will serve as the new reference year for measuring economic growth, sectoral performance and structural transformation, allowing for more accurate comparisons and economic planning in the years ahead.

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