Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Gibson Nyikadzino

Zimpapers Politics Hub

ACTING President Dr Kembo Mohadi yesterday urged the media to tell the Zimbabwean story by clearly unpacking the country’s national trajectory as the Government adopts the National Development Strategy 2.

The development strategy builds on stabilisation measures introduced under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and advances the structural transformation agenda pursued through NDS1.

Dr Mohadi made the call following a courtesy visit by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s (ZBC) chief executive, Mr Sugar Chagonda, at his Munhumutapa Offices.

The remarks reinforce President Mnangagwa’s position that the media should be developmental in orientation to reflect the grassroots successes of Government programmes and their impact on changing the livelihoods of the people.

At the recent commissioning of ZBC Montrose Studios in Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa said the media should produce and disseminate content that reflects the hopes and aspirations of the people towards Vision 2030.

“As we journey towards Vision 2030, I urge the nation to use the available communication platforms to promote peace, love, unity and living in harmony.

“Let us produce and disseminate content that reflects the hopes and aspirations of our people.

“On their part, stakeholders in the media fraternity, including our journalists and analysts, must continue to uphold the highest levels of creativity, professionalism and ethical conduct,” President Mnangagwa said.

Addressing the media after the courtesy meeting, Mr Chagonda said his interactions with Dr Mohadi helped him understand the unpacking of the national vision within the context of expectations by the Executive.

“Like what the Acting President was saying, there are a number of Government programmes that have been initiated.

“So our role is to make sure that people get to understand the role that they have to play to appreciate, particularly, developments going on in the country.

“We have got a critical role to play, particularly in terms of telling the Zimbabwe story. For a long time, Zimbabwe was isolated,” Mr Chagonda said.

Mr Chagonda stated that the media should not be a bystander, but a critical player in disseminating information about Zimbabwe’s tourism and agriculture sectors, as well as promoting investment for national development, as mandated by the parent ministry.

From 2018, the Second Republic has implemented over 9 700 programmes and projects, with over 6 660 already completed while others are at different stages of implementation, the latest compendium of projects shows.

President Mnangagwa’s emphasis has been on life-changing developmental projects and programmes to create a conducive environment for socio-economic growth in general and, in particular, for the attainment of Vision 2030 to ensure the country achieves upper middle-income economy status.

Speaking about the Second Republic’s development initiatives implemented so far, the President said such efforts were crucial in exploring home-grown solutions to economic advancement, despite impediments caused by illegal sanctions.

“The development initiatives were anchored on a strong human capital base coupled with the need for finding home-grown solutions, including judicious exploitation of Zimbabwe’s natural resource endowments and unity of purpose, as enshrined in the Second Republic’s mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’.

“Despite the illegal sanctions imposed to cripple the country’s economic development and climate-induced calamities, the Second Republic excelled in the implementation of people-centred, life-changing and high-impact programmes and projects across all thematic areas,” he  said.

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Yeukai Karengezeka

Herald Correspondent

APOSTOLIC sect leader Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa (55) was yesterday jailed 20 years for rape.

It was noted Madzibaba Ishmael was not a first offender since he was once convicted of committing violence in 2015.

He raped and impregnated a minor congregant.

Presiding magistrate Mrs Estere Chivasa delivered the sentence, condemning Madzibaba Ishmael for abusing his position of authority to prey on vulnerable members of his church.

She labelled him a “notorious and evil” individual who betrayed the trust placed in him as a religious leader.

“Church leaders are expected to serve as moral compasses for their congregants, but what the accused did is the complete opposite of these expectations,” magistrate Chivasa said.

“The victim was too scared to reveal the paternity of her child, and while the accused is HIV negative, he recklessly exposed her to the risk of STIs. His actions were despicable.”

Magistrate Chivasa emphasised that the court must set a precedent to protect congregants from similar abuses of power in the future.

“His moral blameworthiness is exceptionally high. How many brilliant minds has this man brainwashed and destroyed? No one truly knows. He turned his congregants into his personal possessions. The accused is a purely evil person who happens to live among others,” she stated.

The court commended State prosecutor Mr Oscar Madhume for engaging the Social Welfare Department to conduct a victim impact assessment.

The victim, who had been indoctrinated and manipulated, reportedly did not fully comprehend that she had been abused.

Her fear and indoctrination prevented her from speaking out earlier.

Initially, Madzibaba Ishmael faced three counts of rape.

However, two charges were dismissed as the victims were of legal age at the time of those incidents.

Nevertheless, he was convicted on one count of raping a minor.

The DNA evidence provided by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) confirmed that he fathered three children with complainants involved in the case.

Although he was cleared of charges related to the ill-treatment of minors and breaching the Burial and Cremation Act, the prosecution successfully argued that Madzibaba Ishmael had abused his position as a trusted religious leader to exploit and manipulate young congregants under the guise of religious authority.

The court heard that his victims, indoctrinated and fearful, were unable to resist or disclose the abuse until additional evidence came to light.

Magistrate Chivasa concluded her ruling by saying, “It is time for the court to draw a line and say, ‘enough is enough.”

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Debra Matabvu

Senior Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday began his month-long annual vacation following a year of overseeing the completion and commissioning of various high impact projects.

He is expected to resume his duties in February next year.

In a statement, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr George Charamba, said the President will vacation in the country.

“His Excellency, the President, Dr E.D Mnangagwa has started his month-long annual vacation from today, the 23rd of December,” Mr Charamba said.

During his vacation, Vice Presidents Dr Kembo Mohadi and Dr Constantino Chiwenga will take turns acting.

“Vice President Mohadi will stand in for the President from 23rd to 31st December 2025,” Mr Charamba added.

“Thereafter, Vice President Chiwenga will act from 1st to 13th January.

“Vice President Mohadi will resume acting responsibilities from 14th January, until His Excellency the President is back at work in the early part of February 2026.”

Speaking at the last Cabinet meeting recently, the President said this year had witnessed a resounding success in particular the strengthening of the macro-economic environment.

President Mnangagwa also commended the various projects completed during the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS) and urged continued hard work as the country begins the implementation of NDS 2 next year.

President Mnangagwa this year commissioned various high impact projects, among them the Trabablas Interchange (formerly Mbudzi Roundabout) in May and announcing of new road and interchanges on the Mutare and Harare Drive.

The President also commissioned Zimbabwe’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered grain silos in Kwekwe in May comprising of seven modern silos with a total capacity of 56 000 tonnes and a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence-powered Grain Marketing Board Silo Complex in Mutare.

President Mnangagwa’s administration also began a hospital rehabilitation programme which forms a core part of the Second Republic’s broader commitment to public health, often reinforced by first-hand inspections of facilities.

The hospital rehabilitation focuses on transforming large referral hospitals like Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital, upgrading infrastructure which includes providing solar power, water, facilities and modernising equipment and securing international partnerships, with significant funds allocated in the Budget for enhanced healthcare delivery.

In the 2026 National Budget, the Government has set aside ZiG4 billion for major hospitals and the upgrading of ambulance services. The funding is anchored on the 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme, a blueprint that outlines a clear pathway for upgrading and equipping healthcare institutions from central hospitals down to rural clinics.
An inter-ministerial committee will be formed to steer the projects, bringing together the Office of the President and Cabinet, the ministries of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Health and Child Care and Local Government and Public Works.
The committee will approve designs, manage payments and monitor the progress and quality of works.

The President commissioned the Midlands Park Housing Project in Zvishavane, a multi-million dollar investment and 96 housing units at the ZRP Tomlinson Depot (renamed ZRP Chimoio) in Harare.

Other projects include Zimplats Smelter and Solar Projects and Agro-Processing Facilities at National Foods Headquarters in Harare.  President Mnangagwa also  commissioned the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School, among other projects.

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Debra Matabvu

Senior Reporter

The Government has allocated ZiG15,7 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 44 000 kilometres of road network under Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2) this year, surpassing the intended target of 11 250km.

ERRP2 is being carried out by the Department of Roads (DoR), local authorities and the District Development Fund (DDF).

The mandate includes construction and rehabilitation of roads, asphalt overlay, pothole patching, resealing and gravelling in urban and rural areas.

It included bridge reconstruction and roadside maintenance across the country.

According to the 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme, during 2025 despite priority being given to the completion of the Trabablas Interchange which was officially commissioned by President Mnangagwa in May, Government also completed various roads and bridges.

The document states that many roads were constructed, reconstructed or rehabilitated during the year, while 242km of the network were resealed and overlaid.

In addition, the Government gravelled and re-gravelled 1,053km of the road network, particularly in rural areas, during the year.

A further 1 317km of roads underwent grading and spot gravelling.

The Government also carried out pothole patching on 11 755km of roads, conducted bush and verge clearing along over 9 000km and completed 21 000km of drain construction and lining.

“Significant milestones were also achieved on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme II (ERRPII), wherein during the year 2025, an amount of ZiG15,7 billion was expended of which ZiG12,7 billion was from the Budget, whilst ZiG3 billion was disbursed by ZINARA,” the document reads in part.

“Priority was accorded to the completion of the new, modern multi-level Trabablas Interchange which boasts 15 bridges and was commissioned by President Mnangagwa on May 30, 2025.

“The completion of the project alleviated severe traffic congestion and high accident rates which were experienced at the then Mbudzi Roundabout, which was overwhelmed by increased vehicle numbers, thereby causing delays, and safety issues.

“In addition, the completion of the project has been important in enhancing the movement of people and goods along the key regional trade corridor.”

The document also indicated that Government will continue to invest in transport systems in the coming year.

“During the 2026 fiscal year, Government will continue to invest in transport networks and systems that facilitate the seamless movement of goods, services and people within the country and across borders,” the document added.

“In this regard, the 2026 Budget has made an allocation of ZiG3 billion towards the transport sector targeting the following, Road Development Programme, ZiG2,9 billion; and Aviation, ZiG140,8 million. In the road sub-sector, focus will be on upgrading the road network with priority being on the major arteries that serve as a gate way to regional and international trade and those that promote domestic trade, including marketing of goods and services.”

In Mashonaland East some of the roads completed which benefited from the disbursement included Murehwa-Madecheche road which saw 8,8km of cleared completed and priming underway.

In addition, on the Domboshava road, 7,2km was completed and opened to traffic while Marondera-Chiduku Road saw 8km being re-gravelled and Mushandirapamwe- Hwedza Road had 21km opened to traffic.

In Mashonaland West, Golden Valley-Sanyati road had 11km asphalt overlay completed and 8.1km open to traffic, while Kadoma-Chakari Road had 2,2 km asphalt overlay.

Further, in Harare, 11,1km of road network was reconstructed while 24,8km was resealed.

In Matabeleland North, 19km of road network was opened on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls while 11,5 km was opened on the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road.

In addition, Manicaland Nyanga-Ruwangwe Road gravelled 5km of road network while 3,5km was surfaced on the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge Road.

Government also opened 27km of road to traffic on the  Kuwirirana- Nembudziya Road, while 40km of overlay asphalt was completed on the Kwekwe-Gokwe Road.

The post 2nd Republic exceeds target…Earmarks ZiG15,7bn for further road rehab appeared first on herald.

The post 2nd Republic exceeds target…Earmarks ZiG15,7bn for further road rehab appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Debra Matabvu

Senior Reporter

The Government has allocated ZiG15,7 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 44 000 kilometres of road network under Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2) this year, surpassing the intended target of 11 250km.

ERRP2 is being carried out by the Department of Roads (DoR), local authorities and the District Development Fund (DDF).

The mandate includes construction and rehabilitation of roads, asphalt overlay, pothole patching, resealing and gravelling in urban and rural areas.

It included bridge reconstruction and roadside maintenance across the country.

According to the 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme, during 2025 despite priority being given to the completion of the Trabablas Interchange which was officially commissioned by President Mnangagwa in May, Government also completed various roads and bridges.

The document states that many roads were constructed, reconstructed or rehabilitated during the year, while 242km of the network were resealed and overlaid.

In addition, the Government gravelled and re-gravelled 1,053km of the road network, particularly in rural areas, during the year.

A further 1 317km of roads underwent grading and spot gravelling.

The Government also carried out pothole patching on 11 755km of roads, conducted bush and verge clearing along over 9 000km and completed 21 000km of drain construction and lining.

“Significant milestones were also achieved on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme II (ERRPII), wherein during the year 2025, an amount of ZiG15,7 billion was expended of which ZiG12,7 billion was from the Budget, whilst ZiG3 billion was disbursed by ZINARA,” the document reads in part.

“Priority was accorded to the completion of the new, modern multi-level Trabablas Interchange which boasts 15 bridges and was commissioned by President Mnangagwa on May 30, 2025.

“The completion of the project alleviated severe traffic congestion and high accident rates which were experienced at the then Mbudzi Roundabout, which was overwhelmed by increased vehicle numbers, thereby causing delays, and safety issues.

“In addition, the completion of the project has been important in enhancing the movement of people and goods along the key regional trade corridor.”

The document also indicated that Government will continue to invest in transport systems in the coming year.

“During the 2026 fiscal year, Government will continue to invest in transport networks and systems that facilitate the seamless movement of goods, services and people within the country and across borders,” the document added.

“In this regard, the 2026 Budget has made an allocation of ZiG3 billion towards the transport sector targeting the following, Road Development Programme, ZiG2,9 billion; and Aviation, ZiG140,8 million. In the road sub-sector, focus will be on upgrading the road network with priority being on the major arteries that serve as a gate way to regional and international trade and those that promote domestic trade, including marketing of goods and services.”

In Mashonaland East some of the roads completed which benefited from the disbursement included Murehwa-Madecheche road which saw 8,8km of cleared completed and priming underway.

In addition, on the Domboshava road, 7,2km was completed and opened to traffic while Marondera-Chiduku Road saw 8km being re-gravelled and Mushandirapamwe- Hwedza Road had 21km opened to traffic.

In Mashonaland West, Golden Valley-Sanyati road had 11km asphalt overlay completed and 8.1km open to traffic, while Kadoma-Chakari Road had 2,2 km asphalt overlay.

Further, in Harare, 11,1km of road network was reconstructed while 24,8km was resealed.

In Matabeleland North, 19km of road network was opened on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls while 11,5 km was opened on the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road.

In addition, Manicaland Nyanga-Ruwangwe Road gravelled 5km of road network while 3,5km was surfaced on the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge Road.

Government also opened 27km of road to traffic on the  Kuwirirana- Nembudziya Road, while 40km of overlay asphalt was completed on the Kwekwe-Gokwe Road.

The post 2nd Republic exceeds target…Earmarks ZiG15,7bn for further road rehab appeared first on herald.

The post 2nd Republic exceeds target…Earmarks ZiG15,7bn for further road rehab appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.