Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

GWERU – A searing tragedy has cast a long shadow over the city of Gweru, in midlands province, following a horrific incident where a school kombi burst into flames, claiming the lives of seven innocent primary school pupils. The devastating inferno, which occurred near Senga Shopping Centre, has ignited a national conversation about the perilous […]

The post Shocking details emerge as overloaded Gweru kombi catches fire and burns 7 schoolchildren to death first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Source: Churches engage President, strengthen ties with Government – herald

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

DELEGATIONS representing the African Apostolic Church and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian paid courtesy calls on President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare yesterday.

Dr Masimba Mwazha of the African Apostolic Church said the delegation sought to express sincere appreciation to the President for honouring the church’s founder, Apostle Paul Mwazha, with National Hero status.

Apostle Mwazha passed away in November last year at the age of 107.

“We had come to thank the President for conferring National Hero status on our founder and for the support we received from Government.

“So we found it fitting to come and convey our thanks. We also had our brother who died in March and was accorded Liberation Hero status, and again the Government stood with us, so it was important that we come here,” he said.

Dr Mwazha said they had also prayed together with President Mnangagwa, adding that “the African Apostolic Church and ZANU PF are one”.

“We also found time to pray with him so that his work continues to be blessed.

The President meets an African Apostolic Church delegation which paid a courtesy call at State House in Harare yesterday to express gratitude for the conferment of national hero status on the church’s founder, Apostle Paul Mwazha, who died in November last year.

“The late Apostle Mwazha prayed for Zimbabwe. The African Apostolic Church and ZANU PF are one,” he said.

The church’s general secretary, Bishop Prosper Giles Rusike, said Zimbabwe’s recent victory in being elected to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member was testament to the confidence the world has in the Second Republic’s leadership.

“They (countries around the world) can tell that good things are happening in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Speaking separately, CCAP moderator Reverend Gibson Botomani said their delegation had paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa to formally introduce the church’s newly appointed leadership.

“It was a courtesy call on His Excellency where we are introducing the new leadership. As you can see, we’re a new leadership in the church.

“We were actually elected on September 18, 2025, so we thought we should introduce ourselves to His Excellency so that we do not hide, but work together, complementing the Government,” he said.

Reverend Botomani added that Government and the Church continue to maintain a cordial and co-operative relationship.

“You can’t run away from the State, you can’t run away from the Church.

“The State and the Church work together, they complement each other in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.

“We provide education, we provide health, we provide water and sanitation.

“Those are areas of expertise and also training. So, definitely, we want to continue complementing the Government in those areas,” he said.

President Mnangagwa has continued praising churches for their growing role as partners in national development, highlighting their active participation in Government programmes and community-driven initiatives.

“Against these realities, we must remain vigilant, focused and hard-working, insulating our economy as well as addressing any vulnerabilities. Colossians 4 verse 2 says, in summary, we must continue to devote ourselves to prayer, being alert and watchful, as well as giving thanks to the Lord Almighty.

“Through prayer and fervent interceding for our country, victory is certain for us to achieve our vision to be an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society. With God, nothing is impossible,” he said at a church engagement recently.

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Source: CAB3: Tight security as Parly votes – herald

Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub

PARLIAMENTARIANS are set to discharge their constitutional mandate without fear or intimidation, with Government assuring that the security apparatus will ensure a peaceful environment during voting on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3), expected in the National Assembly tomorrow.

The voting marks a decisive stage in a legislative process that could significantly reshape the country’s governance, electoral and institutional framework.

Most legislators who have contributed during the Bill’s debate, including some from opposition parties, supported the proposed amendments, arguing that they would promote policy continuity, reduce political polarisation and create a more stable environment for long-term national development.

In a statement yesterday, the Minister of State Security, Lovemore Matuke, said the voting process must proceed peacefully without intimidation from rogue elements.

“We want to urge parliamentarians to exercise their duty freely without fear as the security situation is calm,” he said.

“They should do it freely, because they are only discharging the mandate which they were given by the people from their different constituencies.”

Minister Matuke warned those who wish to destabilise the voting process on CAB 3 to desist, saying security agencies are on high alert.

“We know CAB 3 needs a lot of support from all the constituencies, and we hope that, as they vote, they will feel the will and needs of the people who sent them to Parliament.

“We wish them to discharge their mandate and support CAB 3, because it was overwhelmingly supported by the majority of the people during the outreach programme,” he said.

Minister Matuke said the security apparatus will monitor the situation to ensure the smooth running of parliamentary business.

“The voting is going to be done in a peaceful manner. Those who wish to disrupt the voting process will be dealt with. The security apparatus is ready to deal with malcontents.

“We expect the place to be safe to allow the smooth sailing of the processes,” he said.

Minister Matuke said claims of intimidation of parliamentarians were emerging in the context of the ongoing debate on the Bill.

“The timing of the claims of intimidation is coinciding with discussions around Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. When arguments weaken, some choose to escalate rhetoric,” he said.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs chairperson Cde Eddison Zvobgo (Jnr) said legislators would vote clause by clause after the debate stage.

“After debating, then MPs will go into voting clause by clause.

“Thereafter, there will be adoption of the Bill before it is sent to Senate for their input,” he said.

If approved by the National Assembly, the Bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

“If the Senate agrees with changes, the Bill will come back to the National Assembly for third reading to formally adopt the finished product,” said Cde Zvobgo.

Following parliamentary approval, the Bill will be submitted to the President for assent and published in the Government Gazette, after which the amendments will become part of the Constitution in line with the commencement provisions contained in the legislation.

According to a report by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, which has since been adopted by Parliament, more than 530 000 written submissions supported the Bill, while 2 935 opposed it.

The committee said many submissions favoured replacing direct Presidential elections with a system in which the President is elected by Parliament.

Supporters argued that the proposed model would strengthen collaboration between the Executive and Parliament, improve policy alignment and reduce the financial and political costs associated with nationwide presidential elections.

The report also recorded strong support for extending electoral cycles for both the President and Parliament from five years to seven years, with proponents saying longer cycles would reduce election frequency, lower public expenditure and provide greater policy stability.

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Source: President mourns 7 learners, declares national disaster – herald

Patrick Chitumba-Midlands Bureau Chief

President Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster the accident that saw seven primary school learners being burnt beyond recognition when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre in Gweru yesterday afternoon.

In a statement last night, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya said: “His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, this evening (yesterday) was briefed about the tragic accident in which seven pupils perished in an inferno when a commuter omnibus they were travelling on caught fire at the Gweru suburb of Senga today (yesterday). 

“Eleven more pupils and the driver have since been hospitalised. In expressing his deepest, heartfelt condolences to the affected families, His Excellency the President has directed that this grisly accident be declared a national disaster to allow Government room to move in and mobilise resources for immediate assistance to the bereaved families and all those hospitalised.   

“His Excellency the President has again appealed to all road users to exercise maximum caution on the roads to avoid more such tragic accidents, which have recurred with disturbing frequency in the last 30 days.”

President Mnangagwa wished the hospitalised pupils speedy recovery.

The learners are from Matongo and Stanley Primary Schools. They died in an inferno that occurred around 1pm, while they were being transported to their homes in Mtautsi, Dalsford and Nehosho suburbs.

About 23 other pupils escaped death by a whisker after they were pulled from the burning vehicle by people who were at the shops when the fire broke out.

When The Herald arrived at the scene, bodies of the deceased were being taken  to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary.

The commuter omnibus had been reduced to a shell.

Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko, who was among the first people to arrive at the scene, confirmed the disaster.

“I can confirm that seven bodies of infant learners were retrieved from a commuter omnibus that caught fire in Senga today (yesterday). It’s a sad day for the people of Gweru,” he said.

Public Service Commission Midlands Provincial Coordinator, Mr Andrew Chimanyiwa, said preliminary investigations indicated that there were 23 learners in the vehicle.

“We recovered seven bodies, that is, two girls and five boys,” he said.

“What happened here is total negligence, the driver and the conductor had a 10-litre jerrycan with petrol, which they placed close to the battery after loading the children, and the vehicle exploded.”

Commissioner Patson Nyabadza, police Officer Commanding in the Midlands Province, addressed the parents and guardians gathered at Matongo Primary School.

He said, contrary to earlier reports, no child was taken to the hospital, as all those who survived had no injuries.

Comm Nyabadza asked parents to go home and visit Senga Police Station this morning to confirm with the police.

“Right now, we are consolidating the names and surnames of pupils who were in the commuter omnibus,” he said.

Ward 5 Councillor Aaron Mumvana said the learners were from Senga and Stanley Primary School and were being transported home.

“It was around lunch hour when the vehicle caught fire. Revellers and shoppers who were at the shopping centre managed to open the sliding door and take out the pupils. Unfortunately, those at the back failed to make it,” he said.

Mr Aaron Moyo, who was at the shops, said the fire consumed the commuter omnibus in less than five minutes, sending shockwaves through residents and parents in the area.

“We quickly sprang to action when we saw the vehicle on fire. We broke the windows to rescue others,” he said. “The fire was just too much as we failed to save those who were at the back. Their screams will haunt me for life.”

The tragedy has left the Gweru community in mourning the loss of the children.

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Source: President Mbasogo jets in today – herald

Debra Matabvu-Senior Reporter

EQUATORIAL Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is expected in Harare today for a two-day State visit that will see him and President Mnangagwa sign key bilateral agreements aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations.

The visit follows the successful inaugural session of the Zimbabwe-Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) held early last month.

Agreements expected to be signed include the Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation, an agreement on the Training of Translators and Interpreters, and a Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of education, agriculture and mining, among others.

In an interview yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the visit sought to strengthen relations and explore new areas of cooperation.

“We are expecting President Mbasogo for a two-day State visit and he is expected to arrive tomorrow (today),” he said.

“The purpose of the visit is to basically strengthen the relations between the two countries.

“We expect that there will be signing of instruments of cooperation between the two countries and also discuss various new potential areas of cooperation.

“He is also expected to visit some local places.”

Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the inaugural JPCC session held in May was designed to promote regional and Pan-African cultural, economic and political integration, consolidate long-standing diplomatic ties, expand bilateral economic cooperation and finalise legal instruments to deepen sectoral collaboration.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting, Harare and Malabo committed to accelerating economic cooperation, promoting regional integration and enhancing political and diplomatic consultations.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, education, agriculture, wildlife management, fisheries, tourism and mining, while pursuing the rationalisation of visa fees.

Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea enjoy warm and long-standing relations.

In 2004, Zimbabwe played a pivotal role in foiling an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea that had been plotted by a group of mercenaries.

Relations between the two countries have continued to flourish since then.

President Mnangagwa attended President Mbasogo’s inauguration in Malabo in December 2022.

Zimbabwe was the only English-speaking African country invited to attend the ceremony.

In 2023, President Mnangagwa paid a three-day State visit to Equatorial Guinea, during which he was gifted a fully furnished Presidential Villa in Malabo by President Mbasogo.

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