Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: BancABC, Visa ink 5-year partnership deal to drive digital payments –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, June 23 (NewsDay Live) – The African Banking Corporation of Zimbabwe Limited (BancABC) has signed a five-year strategic partnership with Visa aimed at accelerating digital payments innovation, and enhancing customer experience.

The agreement is expected to strengthen BancABC’s digital banking capabilities while expanding access to secure and convenient payment solutions for its customers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare this Tuesday, BancABC managing director Tawanda Munaiwa said the partnership would reinforce the bank’s position as a leading provider of digital banking services by leveraging Visa’s global expertise in payments technology and innovation.

“This agreement with Visa is an exciting development for customers using BancABC Visa cards. The partnership is expected to further strengthen BancABC’s position as a leading provider of digital banking solutions while leveraging Visa’s global payment expertise, technology and innovation capabilities,” Munaiwa said.

He said the collaboration would also support the bank’s financial inclusion agenda by encouraging wider adoption of electronic payments across retail, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and corporate clients.

Visa manager for Zimbabwe, Taurai Mpofu, said BancABC offered a wide range of products tailored for different customer segments.

“We have a number of Visa products, including cards for students, the Chinese community and walk-in customers. Customers do not necessarily need to be account holders to obtain a Visa card, making our products highly accessible,” Mpofu said.

He said customers could access Visa cards through branches, kiosks, agents and direct sales representatives operating within communities.

“We are also developing products for affluent customers. Our cards are designed to cater for different market segments, with pricing structures and transaction limits suited to their needs,” he said.

Mpofu added that the bank’s Visa cards could be used globally.

“We recently introduced virtual cards, meaning customers do not necessarily need a physical card to access Visa services. They can obtain a virtual card and use it anywhere in the world where Visa or Mastercard is accepted,” he said.

BancABC said customers would benefit from services such as virtual cards, digital card issuance, mobile tap-to-pay technology, e-commerce payment solutions and remittance services.

“Customers will be able to receive and send remittances instantly, while merchants will have greater access to e-commerce payment gateways. These are some of the benefits BancABC clients can expect from this partnership,” the bank said.

Meanwhile, BancABC has earmarked about US$5 million for capital projects in 2026 as part of its growth strategy.

Munaiwa said the funds would be directed towards technology upgrades, digitisation initiatives, fleet renewal and clean energy investments.

The post BancABC, Visa ink 5-year partnership deal to drive digital payments appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Chimanimani community cries for justice amid surge in robbery cases –Newsday Zimbabwe

The Chimanimani community is crying for justice after reports emerged that suspects in a recent robbery case at Nhedziwa Growth Point were released and asked to return to the police a few days later.

The community implored law enforcement agents to investigate the matter without fear or favour following a surge in robbery cases at Nhedziwa Business Centre, and the arrest of one suspect.

On June 12, the National Anti-Corruption Association of Zimbabwe (NACAZ), working with ZRP Cashel, arrested Taziwei Brian Mbwizu, who is in his early 30s, in connection with the robberies at the business centre.

He was handed over to CID Mutare under Cashel RRB numbers 6373345–6378349.

The complainants in the matter are Eunice Miriri, Blessing Ziweya, Nomore Mahlata, Anton Pondayi, and Achievement Chauke.

The next day, following fresh intelligence, NACAZ Manicaland members arrested Ferlisters Munyebvu (25) of Mwaguta village, Chief Mutambara, outside Nhedziwa High School while she was wearing a tracksuit belonging to one of the complainants.

She implicated Hash Musakaruka (24), of Tambarare village, Chief Mutambara, as the person who sold her the tracksuit. Musakaruka was arrested that afternoon by NACAZ.

The two were handed over to ZRP Cashel with the recovered exhibit.

Reliable reports indicate that after being handed over, the two suspects were told to go home and report back to police on June 14, 2026.

On that same morning, the first suspect, Mbwizu was reportedly seen at a United Methodist Church gathering in Kwekwe.

NACAZ, however, says it continues to stand with the victims and families affected by the violent robberies, which left community members traumatised.

NACAZ deputy director (operations) Alvine Makufa said: “NACAZ commends the complainants who stood up, and the community of Chimanimani that refuses to be silenced by fear.

“As NACAZ, we are yet to verify whether Mr Mbwizu appeared before the court of law or he was released from police on summons, and whether it is true that he was spotted in Kwekwe.

“We urge the public not to interfere with investigations being done by law enforcement agencies.

“Justice must be allowed to take its course so that victims receive the closure they deserve.”

The organisation implored the public across all provinces to approach its offices, the police or other relevant authorities to nip corruption in the bud or help lower the number of violent crimes.

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Source: Tagwirei honours late SDA Church member -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, June 23 (NewsDay Live) – Businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has launched a scholarship fund in honour of the late and long-serving member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, elder Harry Dumba.

Dumba (94), died last week at Tagwirei’s Arundel Hospital in Harare.

He was buried on Monday at his Denzva village home in Makoni South constituency, Manicaland province.

Tagwirei, who was recently co-opted into the Zanu PF central committee, is a senior member of the SDA Church.

Addressing mourners, Tagwirei, who was represented by Obey Chimuka, announced the Harry Dumba Scholarship Foundation.

Tagwirei met all the funeral costs for Dumba, describing him as one of the founding pillars of the SDA Church in Zimbabwe.

“Harry Dumba Scholarship Foundation shall be named after him. We are going to ask brother Kudzi Chipanga (the Zanu PF Makoni district co-ordinating committee chairperson) to come to the office together someone representing the family,” Chimuka said on behalf of Tagwirei.

“I also spoke about Bridging Gap Foundation, Arundel. Dr Tagwirei sent me saying today, we should not cry because it’s a recognition of an extra ordinary man.

“You can’t speak about the history of Adventism without mentioning Father Dumba. At one time he told us that they used to travel long distances using scotchcarts and bicycles preaching the gospel.”

Chipanga applauded Tagwirei’s gesture.

“I want to thank Dr Tagwirei for the gesture. He covered all the funeral expenses. As a family, we were told to keep our money.

“As you can see, the catering and everything … Dr Tagwirei said we are celebrating life.”

Chipanga hailed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for having foot soldiers like Tagwirei.

“On the scholarship, we also want to applaud our President Emmerson Mnangagwa of having foot soldiers like Dr Tagwirei who toes his line and promoting his vision,” he added.

Among the mourners were Makoni South MP Albert Nyakuedzwa, Zanu PF central committee member Getrude Mutandi and Women’s League member Tariro Mhondiwa.

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Source: CAB 3 fallout clouds economic outlook -Newsday Zimbabwe

MOUNTING political tension over the Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3) has spilled to the economy, with economists warning that the dispute can erode investor confidence and derail Zimbabwe’s fragile recovery.

The Bill, which passed through the National Assembly last week, is expected to be debated in the Senate this week. If adopted, it extends the terms of the President and Members of Parliament to 2030.

Economists have expressed concern that the prolonged debate around CAB 3 is overshadowing pressing economic issues at a time when Zimbabwe is striving to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030.

Political analysts and civic commentators have also warned that the passage of CAB 3 can deepen Zimbabwe’s constitutional crisis, weaken democratic institutions and further erode public confidence in the rule of law.

Speaking to NewsDay yesterday, economists argued that Zimbabwe’s fragile economic recovery requires urgent attention, with priority areas including industrialisation, value addition, agriculture, energy and healthcare.

Economist Chenayi Mutambasere said CAB 3 could further undermine investor confidence by creating uncertainty over the country’s governance and policy direction.

“Zimbabwe is still struggling to achieve meaningful beneficiation and value addition. We continue to export raw materials, which means we are losing jobs and potential income that could be generated locally,” she said.

“Investors are reluctant to make long-term commitments in an environment they perceive as unstable. Instead, many prefer short-term investments focused on extracting raw materials and leave.

“The Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill introduces another layer of uncertainty and this is likely to affect investment decisions.”

Mutambasere said government resources and attention are diverted from critical sectors that require urgent intervention due to the Bill.

“We are witnessing major governance distortions that are contributing to instability. Government business is being shifted away from issues that matter most as authorities focus on debates and processes surrounding CAB 3,” she said.

“Resources are being spent on matters that many citizens never asked for, while key sectors such as energy, agriculture and healthcare continue to face significant challenges. Zimbabwe remains food insecure and these are the areas where government should be concentrating its efforts.”

However, economist Stevenson Dhlamini said the CAB 3 debate had not triggered a major economic shock but had contributed to an atmosphere of political uncertainty.

“The CAB 3 debate has not caused a dramatic economic disruption, but neither has it been neutral,” Dhlamini said.

“It has added a layer of political uncertainty at a time when the economy is already grappling with deep structural challenges. By consuming significant political attention, it has indirectly diverted focus from urgent economic reforms.

“If passed in its current form, the signal of extended political tenures may dampen business confidence and diaspora sentiment, modestly affecting investment and remittance flows.

“More importantly, it can complicate Zimbabwe’s debt re-engagement process, which depends on sustained democratic progress.”

He said any perception of governance backsliding risks slowing efforts to clear arrears and normalise relations with international financial institutions.

However, Dhlamini said no major fiscal or monetary disruptions were expected solely as a result of CAB 3.

Meanwhile, speaking to NewsDay from Bulawayo, political analyst Ben Moyo described the Bill’s progression as a sign of the “further entrenchment of Zanuism,” warning that the country risks sliding into deeper institutional decay.

“We expect to see growing looting. We expect to see a compromised Judiciary. We expect to see our situation deteriorating and getting worse, with the level of impunity growing,” he said.

Moyo further warned that CAB 3 can “put the final nail on constitutionalism,” saying Zimbabwe risks witnessing increased disregard for constitutional provisions and the rule of law.

Former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said Zimbabweans must remain vigilant in defending constitutional governance and national resources.

“We have a beautiful and rich country Zimbabwe. We must strive to protect our wealth from the thieves around us,” said.

“Zimbabwe is our wealth — soon the people will have leadership for a better and brighter future.”

Public policy researcher and analyst Samukele Hadebe said public controversy around the Bill had largely been driven by disagreement over constitutional interpretation.

“Lawyers themselves did not help the public on the question of term limit and length and whether incumbents can benefit from any change without going to Parliament,” he said.

“Unfortunately, other aspects of the many changes were rarely scrutinised because they were all subsumed by the 2030 ndinenge ndiripo reality, as articulated by President ED himself.”

“But let us see what it actually means when it becomes law.”

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Source: Family demands US$150k after pit drowning -Newsday Zimbabwe

A GRIEVING Budiriro family is demanding US$150 000 from the City of Harare after their teenage daughter drowned in a sewage-filled pit that had been left open for months.

Seventeen-year-old Talita Munda died at the horror site — a five-metre-long excavation allegedly abandoned by council workers and left unguarded in a residential area.

Now her father, Itai Munda, has issued a 14-day ultimatum through lawyers, threatening legal action if the city fails to pay.

The tragedy has already sparked arrests. Three municipal workers — Moses Dicko, Tinei Chihwai and Thomas Rwakatiwana — were arrested and are facing charges of culpable homicide after three people drowned in the pit.

The death trap reportedly sat for months, filling up with water and turning into a lethal pool.

On June 7, a 19-year-old man fell in, triggering a grim discovery, with rescuers later finding the bodies of Talita and another victim, 34-year-old Vimbainashe Chihota.

A magistrate denied the accused workers bail, citing the “serious negligence” that led to loss of innocent lives.

Munda’s lawyers, Maseko Law Chambers, said the city failed to secure, fence or warn residents about the obvious danger, adding that the disaster was “entirely preventable”.

“The excavation remained exposed in a community full of residents including children,” the letter read.

The family is claiming damages for emotional trauma, pain and suffering and violation of the teen’s right to life.

“This was not ordinary negligence — it was a shocking disregard for public safety,” the lawyers said.

The City of Harare is yet to respond.

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