Source: Missing ZANU PF Councillor, Gift Konjana, Says He Is Safe ⋆ Pindula News A Zimbabwean politician who was reported missing and feared dead shortly after winning a council by-election in Chegutu has confirmed that he is alive. Gift Konjana, who was the MDC Alliance parliamentary candidate for Chegutu West in the 2018 harmonised elections […]
A Zimbabwean politician who was reported missing and feared dead shortly after winning a council by-election in Chegutu has confirmed that he is alive.
Gift Konjana, who was the MDC Alliance parliamentary candidate for Chegutu West in the 2018 harmonised elections before later joining ZANU-PF, said in a statement that he is withdrawing from the current “toxic political environment.”
Konjana described going through dark times and making a “final escape,” announcing that he is stepping down as a ZANU-PF councillor and leaving politics altogether.
He was declared the winner of the Chegutu Ward 1 by-election on 21 February, contesting on a ZANU-PF ticket. Soon after, he went missing, prompting his family to file a missing person report at Pfupajena Police Station.
While his whereabouts have remained unknown, some reports speculated that he may have been abducted or killed due to ZANU-PF internal rivalries or his previous opposition ties.
On Thursday, 26 March, a statement attributed to Konjana confirmed that he is alive. Part of the statement reads:
“This statement is made to reassure particularly my family, friends, fellow Christians and my community and Zimbabwe that I, Gift Konjana, by the grace of God, am safe.
“There are no words sufficient to describe the weight of the ordeal I have recently walked through, nor the depth of the peace I feel being back among you.
“Today, I am writing this not just as a survivor, but as a living testimony to the power of collective prayer.
“When I was in darkness, isolated and facing the unknown, there were moments when my own strength failed me.
“However, I felt a strange, persistent covering and knew that I was not forgotten. I know that this was the result of your tireless intercession.
“Thank you for crying out on my behalf when I was silenced, weak and vulnerable. I am convinced that my final escape was not merely a stroke of luck or a coincidence of timing. It was the direct answer to a thousand whispers sent to Heaven.
“Your prayers created a hedge of protection around me, confused the path of those who sought me harm and ultimately paved the way for my safety.
“This attempt was after several other attempts on my life and limb. Thank you once again friends and fellow countryman for your prayers.
“I have made the decision to withdraw from the toxic political environment in Zimbabwe and will not be taking up the position of councillor in Chegutu.
“By this statement I wish to inform the relevant authorities that I will not be taking up any political post in my life.”
Konjana is well known for his high-profile legal battle against ZANU-PF’s Dexter Nduna over the Chegutu West parliamentary seat in the 2018 general election.
Konjana narrowly won the race, but the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) declared Nduna the winner, and later claimed a “clerical error.”
Despite ZEC admitting the mistake, Konjana’s legal challenges to reclaim the seat were repeatedly dismissed by the courts on procedural and technical grounds, rather than on the merits of the case.
He later contested the same seat as an independent candidate in 2023 but lost, which eventually led to his decision to join ZANU-PF.
Source: Two in court over gruesome murder of NPAZ driver – herald Zvikomborero Parafini Court Reporter GRUESOME details surrounding the robbery and murder of National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe driver Shingirayi Chikosha have emerged after his assailants appeared before a Harare court yesterday. Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo convened court at Parirenyatwa Hospital, where the two […]
GRUESOME details surrounding the robbery and murder of National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe driver Shingirayi Chikosha have emerged after his assailants appeared before a Harare court yesterday.
Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo convened court at Parirenyatwa Hospital, where the two suspects — Tawanda Ruzvidzo and Edmond Muzuva — are admitted, receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained when they resisted arrest. They were remanded in custody pending finalisation of investigations.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that on March 12, the pair connived to rob motorists and pedestrians along Bulawayo Road.
The pair went to Whitehouse bus terminus, the now-deceased Shingirayi Chikosha arrived at the bus stop driving a KIA Picanto (registration AGE 4599) belonging to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) and picked the two, who had pretended to be genuine passengers going to Norton.
On the way, the duo strangled Chikosha to death and later hung his body in a bush in Lake Chivero, adjacent to Gracelands Resort Centre in Zvimba, before driving away with his company vehicle and personal valuables, which they later dumped in Chegutu.
After committing the murder, the two took the deceased’s company vehicle and connived to rob unsuspecting pedestrians who were looking for transport.
The duo picked three complainants — Dickson Guza, Believe Matiza and Darlington Matemadanda — in Chinhoyi, who were looking for transport to Karoi.
While on the way, soon after passing the Lomagundi turn-off in Chinhoyi, one of the robbers who was occupying the passenger’s seat produced a knife and threatened to stab the complainants if they showed any signs of resistance to their orders. The duo ordered the passengers to surrender all cash and valuables.
Out of fear, Guza surrendered a Kgtel smartphone with an Econet line; Matiza surrendered US$340 and an Itel A06 cell phone with Econet and NetOne SIM cards; and Matemadanda surrendered a ZTE cell phone with an Econet line and US$480. After getting the loot, the duo drove to Maningwa farm turn-off in Chinhoyi, where they parked the car. The robber who was behind the wheel produced a pistol and threatened to shoot the passengers if they showed any signs of resistance. The duo ordered all three passengers to strip naked, took their clothes and drove off from the scene with their belongings.
The victims sought assistance from a nearby farm and later made a report at ZRP Murereka. The duo was tracked down through a phone stolen from the robberies.
Source: Zanu PF members urged to support Govt policies – herald Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter President Mnangagwa has underscored the need for Zanu PF members to fully back Government policies on value addition and beneficiation of minerals, saying increased mineral value and export earnings will drive economic growth and improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. […]
President Mnangagwa has underscored the need for Zanu PF members to fully back Government policies on value addition and beneficiation of minerals, saying increased mineral value and export earnings will drive economic growth and improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
Speaking at the 130th Ordinary Central Committee meeting in Harare yesterday, the President — who is also the Zanu PF First Secretary — said party members should be united in supporting the Second Republic’s direction on beneficiation, which aligns with resolutions from the 22nd National People’s Conference held in Mutare last year.
“I also applaud the party membership as a whole for supporting the policies of our Zanu PF-led Government with regards to value addition and beneficiation, which are in line with the conference resolutions made in Mutare,” he said.
“The value of our minerals and export earnings must impact our economy and be enjoyed by all of us, the people of Zimbabwe.”
Government has moved to ban the export of raw concentrates of lithium and other minerals as part of a broader strategy to promote local processing and capture greater value for the country.
Authorities expect the ban to stimulate industrial growth, increase export earnings and contribute to higher GDP by ensuring Zimbabwe derives maximum benefit from its mineral endowment.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted close collaboration between Government and the private sector to devise innovative solutions that reduce economic vulnerability.
“On its part, Government and the private sector are closely collaborating towards innovative solutions to reduce overall economic vulnerability,” he said.
The President acknowledged global disruptions — notably the conflict in the Middle East — and said Government is implementing measures to shield the domestic economy from adverse spillovers.
“The ongoing global disruptions, particularly the negative trickle‑down effects of the Middle East conflicts, are receiving due attention from Government.
“We encourage our people to remain resilient and engrossed in driving development, production and productivity across all sectors,” said President Mnangagwa.
Among the interventions announced to mitigate the impact of the conflict are measures to rationalise fuel taxes and to increase the ethanol blend in petrol from 5 percent to 20 percent — steps intended to ease fuel pressures and support broader economic stability.
Source: Forex inflows rise to US$3,35bn – herald Debra Matabvu Senior Reporter ZIMBABWE’s total foreign currency inflows increased to US$3,35 billion during the first two months of the year, compared to US$1,89 billion recorded during the same period last year, following a rise in exports, particularly in the mining sector, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe […]
ZIMBABWE’s total foreign currency inflows increased to US$3,35 billion during the first two months of the year, compared to US$1,89 billion recorded during the same period last year, following a rise in exports, particularly in the mining sector, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has said.
In a statement issued after the RBZ Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Wednesday, central bank Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said the country’s strong export performance, driven mainly by mining, particularly gold and Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), largely contributed to the increase in foreign currency inflows during the period under review.
Dr Mushayavanhu said the strong foreign currency inflows received in January and February have boosted foreign exchange reserves and backed the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
“Reflecting strong export performance mainly driven by mining exports, particularly gold and PGMs, total foreign currency inflows increased to US$3,35 billion during the first two months to February 2026 from US$1,89 billion for the comparable period in 2025,” he said.
“The strong foreign currency inflows have helped rebuild foreign exchange reserves and support stability in the foreign exchange market, while providing adequate backing for the local currency, ZiG.”
Zimbabwe recorded foreign currency receipts of over US$16 billion in 2025, supported by a current account surplus of about US$2 billion, developments that the Reserve Bank said have strengthened exchange rate stability and reduced exchange rate risks.
Foreign currency inflows are expected to exceed last year’s US$16 billion, driven by firm global commodity prices, improved agricultural output following a favourable rainfall season, and continued diaspora remittances and investments.
These inflows would further strengthen the country’s external position and support the stability of the ZiG as authorities press ahead with monetary reforms aimed at restoring full confidence in the local currency.
Dr Mushayavanhu also said the RBZ has received “overwhelming positive” feedback on the new upgraded ZiG notes set to be introduced early next month.
He said the introduction of the new notes will improve transactions and support wider use of the local currency. “The MPC took note of the overwhelming positive
feedback from the nationwide BiG 5 ZiG banknotes education and awareness campaign from all provinces and districts across the country,” Dr Mushayavanhu added.
“The feedback shows that the country has embraced the upgraded BiG 5 ZiG Banknote Series and called on the Reserve Bank to sustain the prevailing price, currency and exchange rate stability to boost confidence in the local currency.
“The introduction of the upgraded ZiG Banknote Series on April 7, 2026, is, therefore, expected to improve transactional convenience for the public and support wider use of the local currency.”
Further, the MPC resolved to leave the central bank’s benchmark interest rate unchanged at 35 percent in response to the inflationary impact of the global oil price shock, while reaffirming confidence that annual inflation will remain in single digits throughout the year.
The MPC resolved to “stay the course” on its current monetary policy stance, maintaining both the Bank Policy Rate and existing statutory reserve requirements.
The committee also temporarily suspended a recently introduced export-retention threshold for small-scale gold miners following implementation challenges.
The decision comes against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed up global oil prices.
Source: ZACC urges transparency in recruitment – herald Trust Freddy Herald Correspondent THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has fired a warning shot at officials within the health sector, declaring that the era of recruitment scandals and the use of forged certificates to secure nursing places is over. Speaking at the signing of Integrity Pledges by the […]
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has fired a warning shot at officials within the health sector, declaring that the era of recruitment scandals and the use of forged certificates to secure nursing places is over.
Speaking at the signing of Integrity Pledges by the Health Service Commission (HSC) in Harare on Wednesday, ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza said the commission would no longer tolerate the “scourge” of corruption that has seen unqualified individuals infiltrating the medical profession.
“We have read countless reports in the press about the enrolment of student nurses with fake qualifications and the diversion of resources meant for public clinics to private surgeries,” Mr Reza said.
“These acts occur because institutions lack the internal fortitude to resist and curb corruption. The signing of Integrity Pledges today (Wednesday) is therefore highly commendable, as it seeks to rid the health sector of such ills.”
He also warned that the pledges signed by the HSC officials are not a “public relations exercise” but a binding accountability framework.
“The Integrity Pledge should lead to a noticeable reduction in complaints regarding recruitment irregularities and other improprieties in the health sector.
“ZACC will not treat these pledges as a public relations exercise. These pledges are an accountability framework that should lead to the attainment of Vision 2030.”
He also stressed that the recruitment, training and deployment of health workers must yield maximum value for citizens, aligned with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030.
“Our country cannot achieve prosperity if its people are unhealthy and institutions are weak,” he said. “Taking ownership means ensuring that the resources allocated to the Health Service Commission are utilized for their intended purpose.”
To bolster these efforts, Mr Reza urged the HSC to move beyond “personality-based leadership” and establish an Integrity Committee to act as a “fortress” against malfeasance.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Health Service Commission Deputy Chairperson Dr Abigail Rugare Kangwende said: “We are delighted to sign a corporate pledge, integrity pledge, as the Health Service Commission, and also an individual pledge to fight corruption, to denounce corruption, to promote integrity, ethical behaviour and practises, and transparency in our practise as the Health Service Commission.
“This is key for our commission, which oversees and promotes ethical behaviour among the public sector health workforce.”
Signatories included HSC Secretary Dr. Christopher Pasi, as well as Commissioners Major General (Rtd) Dr. Gerald Gwinji, Mr. Angelbert Mbengwa, and Mrs. Josephine Mwakutuya, among others.
The crackdown comes as the Government continues to implement strict regulations to flush out unruly elements from the sector.
According to Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, at least 20 nursing trainees have been dismissed from Government and mission training institutions over the past five years after being found in possession of forged Ordinary Level certificates.
By formalising these ethical commitments, the HSC aims to restore public trust and ensure that Zimbabwe’s medical infrastructure remains dedicated to serving the citizenry.
