Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Prison bosses grant inmate leave to attend UZ graduation ceremony A Zimbabwean prisoner serving time for unlawful entry has been allowed to leave prison temporarily to attend the University of Zimbabwe graduation ceremony where he received an honours degree in Biological Sciences. Robert Zivengwa, 30, was granted permission by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service […]

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MASVINGO — Armed robbers broke into a ZB Bank branch at Mpandawana Growth Point in Gutu, Masvingo, through the roof, blasted an automated teller machine and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to an incident report published on August 25, 2026. The break-in was discovered after the bank’s alarm system was triggered during […]

The post Movie-style cash heist: Armed robbers enter ZB Bank through the roof, bomb ATM and flee with cash, Bank manager runs for his dear life first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Source: Three more Kariba boat tragedy victims identified – herald

Zimpapers Reporter

Three more victims of the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat accident in Kariba have been identified, bringing the number of victims whose identities have been confirmed by their next of kin to 96.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police released the names yesterday, in an update following its press statement of August 19, which contained the names of victims identified at the time.
The latest identified victims are Wilson Parare Musaka aged 74, a male from Nyamhunga 2, Kariba; 44-year-old Nyarai Fununo, a female from Kapandura Village, Chief Mola, Kariba, and seven-year-old Lynol Samanyanga, a male from 2197 Batonga, Kariba.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the overall death toll remains at 97, with one victim still to be identified.
Police appealed to the public with relatives who remain missing and may have been travelling aboard the boat to come forward to assist with the identification process.

The identification of the three victims brings authorities closer to establishing the identities of all those who perished in the tragedy that occurred on August 11.
Police have continued with the identification process in consultation with the victims’ next of kin as investigations into the accident proceed.

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Source: CBZ property expansion push targets urban corridors – herald

Nelson Gahadza

Senior Business Reporter

CBZ Holdings is planning a major expansion of its property portfolio, leveraging a pipeline of commercial, residential and logistics projects to fully capitalise on its land bank and investment management capabilities.

The group said it intends to play a more significant role in the property market, where it believes growth opportunities are emerging across major urban and development corridors.

Group chief executive Mr Lawrence Nyazema said they had historically underplayed their potential in property despite having a sizable balance sheet, a substantial customer base and strategic land holdings.

“If you look at CBZ Properties, I have said for the longest time, they are not where ideally they should be,” Mr Nyazema said during an analysts briefing on the group’s financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2026.

“You have a group whose balance sheet is almost US$2 billion. You have a bank that has got more than a billion in deposits, between half a million and a million customers. We cannot be playing second fiddle the way we have been doing.”

Mr Nyazema said the group was now preparing to accelerate property development, with several projects expected to take shape in the coming months.

“There are going to be significant developments when it comes to property. The first one is we are looking at our own projects. We have a decent land bank as CBZ,” he said.

One of the flagship developments will be undertaken at the group’s Kebab Centre site, which Mr Nyazema described as one of the most strategic remaining commercial land parcels in Harare.

CBZ owns about 16 hectares of land stretching from the ED Mnangagwa Highway on the northern side towards Samora Machel Avenue.

The site is strategically positioned amid growing investment along the northern Harare corridor, with the proposed extension of the airport road expected to bring additional connectivity to the area.

Mr Nyazema also pointed to the proximity of the African Export-Import Bank’s regional headquarters, which is nearing completion, as another factor enhancing the attractiveness of the location.

“We have 16 hectares of prime land, starting from ED Mnangagwa Highway on the northern side to Samora Machel.

“We are going to be developing that piece of land and work will start in the next couple of months,” he said.

CBZ also intends to develop a mixed-use commercial property at the site, drawing inspiration from established developments in South Africa.

“We have in mind something similar, if not better, to Melrose Arch in South Africa. We think we can do it. We think we can deliver it,” Mr Nyazema said.

Melrose Arch is a prominent mixed-use development in Johannesburg combining commercial, retail, hospitality, residential and leisure facilities.

CBZ also plans to enhance its property interests in Pomona, where it owns about one hectare of undeveloped land adjacent to its Pomona offices.

The group is working with one of its partners and shareholders, NASA, which operates a food outlet at the site.

Mr Nyazema said the proposed Pomona Links development would integrate the existing food outlet with the undeveloped land and modernise the wider property.

“Between the food outlet and the one hectare of undeveloped land that we have, we want to do Pomona Links, which is to link the two, modernise the food courts and ensure that we have a modern property there,” he said.

Beyond commercial developments, CBZ is also targeting the residential property market through partnerships with established players in the sector.

In Bulawayo, the group is involved in a project to develop about 200 hectares of land near the Umguza River along the route from the airport.

“We are also looking at that and we believe it’s another prime spot that is ready for development. We are working with some of the most reputable players and partners when it comes to the property industry,” Mr Nyazema said.

The group is also considering significantly larger residential developments, including a potential project involving about 1 920 hectares along the Masvingo Road, just after the toll gate.

Mr Nyazema said the scale of the land could support a substantial mixed-use development, potentially accommodating thousands of housing units.

“If you look at 2 000 hectares, that’s almost 20 000 houses that you can put there. Obviously, mixed development,” he said.

CBZ is also involved in a development at Northgate, where about 1 000 hectares are being considered for development, while the group is monitoring opportunities presented by the development of the new capital city.

The post CBZ property expansion push targets urban corridors appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Dispute over farm infrastructure rages on – herald

Business Reporter

THE prolonged dispute over access to key infrastructure at Forrester J Estate in Mvurwi continues unabated, with resettled farmers accusing the previous owner, Mr Henrich Von Pezold, and his representatives of blocking them from using critical facilities.

In the latest escalation of the dispute, resettled farmers have reportedly been blocked from accessing critical facilities to prepare for the upcoming farming season.

The farmers claim they have been locked out of key facilities such as storage buildings, sheds and tobacco barns, reportedly in violation of a High Court order requiring coexistence and that Von Pezold must not take control.

This is happening at a time when farmers are preparing seedbeds for the forthcoming tobacco season.

Affected farmers claimed that it has become a habit of blocking farmers from using key facilities such as tobacco curing barns every season, resulting in some harvested tobacco getting damaged or rotten and eventually being thrown away.

According to a High Court order, in case R-HCH7407/23, issued on June 27, 2025, following his urgent chamber application for an interdict, Mr Henrich Von Pezold was interdicted from threatening or taking any action to secure control of additional infrastructure beyond the infrastructure held by him in 2010.

The High Court, however, ruled that the farmers were interdicted from threatening or taking action to secure control of additional infrastructure over and above the infrastructure held by them in 2010.

“The 3rd Respondent (Ministry of Lands and Rural Development) shall support and secure the applicants’ (Forester J Estate and Henrich Von Pezold) continued and undisturbed use of Forrester Estate, including of the J Section infrastructure, barns and other equipment and at all times shall maintain the 2010 status quo sharing arrangements with the 1st and 2nd Respondents.

“The 3rd Respondent shall promptly and honestly intercede to resolve any disputes that may arise between the Applicants, 1st and 2nd Respondents and at all times without any prejudice to the parties’ rights to seek legal recourse.

“The 3rd Respondent shall ensure that the terms and conditions of this order are communicated to the relevant District Lands Office and the Zimbabwe Republic Police within three (3) days of the date of this order,” the High Court said.

He was ordered to ensure continued and undisturbed use of part of Forrester Estate, including the infrastructure such as barns and other equipment, and at all times to maintain the 2010 status quo and sharing arrangements.

However, according to case number GVECG148/25, issued in the Guruve Magistrate Court on 7 May 2026, after Mr Von Pezold applied for a spoliation order, the resettled Forrester Estate farmers were ordered to restore the undisturbed and peaceful possession of the barnyard they had occupied within 48 hours of the granting of the order.

Forrester J Estate was compulsorily acquired by the Government on November 16, 2001, through a Government Gazette and subsequently allocated to more than 50 resettled farmers.

According to a notice issued by the Minister of Lands and Rural Development in October 2023, the resettled farmers should not be obstructed from accessing the farm and the attendant infrastructure without written authority from the ministry.

The ministry maintains that all resettled farmers are entitled to equal and unrestricted access to infrastructure on the farms they occupy.

The Ministry’s Department of Lands Administration Management is in charge of the infrastructure at the Forester J Estate, with oversight from the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Mechanisation, Farm Infrastructure Development and Soil Conservation.

A recent visit to Forrester J Estate by this publication last week revealed that resettled farmers have been blocked from accessing the sheds and curing barns they require for tobacco production.

Mr Von Pezold, who reportedly spends most of his time in Germany, has argued in previous court submissions that the resettled farmers should not use the farm infrastructure until he receives compensation for improvements before the farm was acquired by the Government.

The Government has already started the process of compensating former commercial farm owners for infrastructural improvements on acquired farms under the Global Compensation Deed signed in 2020, rather than for the land itself.

About US$3,5 billion has been agreed for about 3 500 former farm owners.

The farmers also allege that those who challenge the restrictions face intimidation and arrest.

The farmers claim that the continued restrictions have resulted in significant disruptions every season, as crops cannot be cured on time because the barns are inaccessible or farmers become caught up in prolonged legal battles.

Sources familiar with the matter said Mr Von Pezold controls seven other farms with similar infrastructure, but allegedly continues to deny the resettled farmers access to the Forrester J infrastructure.

The situation contrasts with other Government-acquired farms where beneficiaries have continued to use infrastructure left behind by former owners while the Government works on mechanisms to compensate former farmers.

One resettled farmer, Mr Tapfuma Mudenha, said the restrictions had resulted in substantial disruption.

“We are appealing to the Government to urgently intervene and bring a lasting solution to the challenges we are facing. The continued restrictions and interference are making it extremely difficult for us to carry out our farming operations effectively, particularly at a critical stage of the tobacco production cycle.

“Beyond the financial losses we are suffering as individual farmers, the situation is also undermining tobacco production and reducing our ability to contribute meaningfully.

“We therefore urge the relevant authorities to ensure that we have unhindered access to the infrastructure required to produce, cure and market our tobacco on time,” Mr Mudenha said.

Another affected resettled farmer, Mr Micklem Gutsa, said farmers had lost tobacco after being prevented from accessing the curing facilities.

He said some crops had been left outside the barns and eventually got damaged after prolonged exposure to the weather elements.

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