Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Children in hospitals need our love — Mpariwa – herald

Trust Khosa

Zimpapers Arts , Entertainment Hub

VETERAN broadcaster and StarBrite executive director, Barney Mpariwa, firmly believes that a visit to the children’s ward at most referral hospitals would inspire many to appreciate the resilience of innocent souls.

He emphasised that many children battling various illnesses, particularly those suffering from burns, need love and support.

Recently, Mpariwa brought joy to the children’s ward at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in partnership with Nyaradzo and other stakeholders.

“We have been making these donations since 2013, and this time we brought teddy bears, snacks and juice just to uplift the spirits,” stressed Mpariwa.

“All the organisations associated with the Miss Zimbabwe pageant were in attendance to cheer up the children.

“These children need our love because most of them are in dire conditions. This gesture has become a tradition for us at Starbrite, and I am using my own influence to help.”

Mpariwa has vowed to use his influence to bring about positive change in the lives of these children and their mothers.

“Most of these children will be accompanied by their mothers, who are incredibly resilient but often have to sleep on benches. Some of the kids have special needs that require extensive care.

“The burns unit is particularly critical, and I am appealing for more partnerships to ensure we can help these kids. Burns take time to heal, which means their mothers will also have to stay in the children’s ward for an extended period.”

He added:

“As I mentioned earlier, the condition of mothers at the hospital is dire, as they also suffer alongside their sick children.

“Mothers accompanying these children need to be on high alert, as they sometimes spend sleepless nights. If we can provide mattresses for them to sleep on, that would be far better than having them rest on benches.”

When asked why he has a soft spot for children, Mpariwa explained, “They are innocent souls who know nothing about life’s hardships.

We can only be good to them, which is why I have been delivering these donations to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital over the years.”

Mpariwa, who has closely worked with Nyaradzo, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, and Zimpapers as stakeholders in this initiative, revealed that he is ready for more partnerships.

“From what I have said, especially concerning the plight of sick children’s wards, we need more partnerships. At Starbrite, we don’t make money; we are simply scouting for talent. We have since partnered with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, where there is a lot of talent.

For your information, Season 12 winner Tinashe Kamunenga (crowned in 2024) is currently incarcerated, but we have empowered him to pursue his talent,” he stressed.

Mpariwa noted that the outreach has become an annual tradition, adding that giving back doesn’t have to be limited to large institutions, but can start with small acts of kindness in local communities.

Reflecting on their achievements, Mpariwa described 2025 as successful.

“For us, it was a success, especially after forming a partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services. We are glad that we have identified talent in prison, and we are not only identifying talent but also helping the children. We have many programmes lined up as we move into the coming year,” he stated.

Reflecting on Starbrite, which dates back to 1990, Mpariwa noted that they have been a nursery for talent over the years.

“Some of the notable names we identified back in the day include Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Mathew Kaunda, and Tendai Chidarike, before relaunching the programme in 2012.

“After relaunching the programme, we have produced some household names, including Andy Muridzo and Brayan K, among others.

Many have benefited from our outreach programmes, even though we were affected by the Covid-19 lockdown at one point along the way,” he stated.

Started in the 90s, the StarBrite programme has become one of the most popular reality shows championing talent development.

It aims to discover and nurture various artistic talents, primarily in music, but also in spoken word and dance.

Starbrite has been hailed as more than just a talent show, it also focuses on personal development and life skills, in addition to performance skills needed in the creative community.

Mpariwa’s talent show is famed as one of the most consistent reality shows, featuring talent from diverse backgrounds where raw gems are polished.

His reality show is also known for its fairness regarding the professionals who serve as judges at the national finals.

What has raised its appeal is that Mpariwa’s team has been casting a wider net to ensure they reach out to all areas of Zimbabwe.

He has also been travelling to remote areas in search of talent that may have gone unnoticed.

However, Mpariwa’s commitment to uplifting talent requires funding and partnerships to ensure they reach all corners of Zimbabwe.

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Source: Zinara shells out ZiG6,2bn for road rehab – herald

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) shelled out ZiG6,278 billion – approximately US$232,5 million – between January and September this year, funding the maintenance of over 38 000 kilometres of the country’s road network in a major boost to national mobility and road safety.

Funded works covered over a third of Zimbabwe’s estimated 98 000-kilometre road network and marked one of the most significant coordinated road maintenance interventions in recent years.

According to ZINARA’s disbursement report as at September 30, 2025, the authority exceeded its revised annual budget target of ZiG6,081 billion, recording a favourable variance of about ZiG197 million.

The strong performance reflected improved revenue collection, disciplined financial management and accelerated execution of road projects.

In the third quarter alone, ZINARA disbursed ZiG2,592 billion, surpassing the revised quarterly budget of ZiG2,176 billion, signalling improved fund utilisation and faster implementation of planned works.

A significant share of the funds – ZiG3,983 billion – was channelled towards high-impact road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, achieving an 83 percent utilisation rate.

Urban councils received ZiG1,292 billion, while rural district councils were allocated ZiG1,811 billion, recording utilisation rates of 51 percent and 64 percent respectively.

The Department of Roads absorbed ZiG253,97 million, representing 53 percent of its allocation.

In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said the scale of road maintenance achieved under the programme underscored ZINARA’s central role in sustaining Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure.

“ZINARA this year funded the maintenance of 38 112 kilometres of the road network through the disbursement of ZiG6,278 billion. This is out of the total 98 000km road network in Zimbabwe and calls for more innovative funding mechanisms to fully address national road infrastructure needs,” the ministry said.

Experts say the development is significant as reliable road infrastructure underpins economic growth, facilitates access to markets, schools and health facilities, lowers transport costs and enhances road safety.

By funding routine and periodic maintenance, ZINARA helps extend the lifespan of existing roads, preventing costly reconstruction while improving service delivery across key economic corridors.

To further capacitate road authorities, ZINARA also doubled fuel disbursements, enabling councils and the Department of Roads to carry out in-house works without delays.

The fuel disbursement programme achieved a 100 percent utilisation rate, with ZiG87,98 million deployed nationwide to support operational mobility.

“In another remarkable achievement, ZINARA disbursed 2 762 915 litres of fuel, enabling road authorities to carry out in-house works efficiently,” the ministry said.

In Bulawayo, the disbursement of 40 000 litres of fuel facilitated the resurfacing of Woodville Park Road, Herbert Chitepo Road, George Silundika Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Additional works were completed on Old Esigodini Road and Cecil Avenue, a critical bypass for traffic heading towards Gwanda and the southern corridor.

Other major routes, including Bulawayo-Nkayi and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, also underwent rehabilitation, improving regional connectivity, boosting tourism and trade, and creating employment opportunities.

Beyond fuel support, ZINARA funded the procurement of essential equipment such as graders, tipper trucks, rollers, excavators, water bowsers and tractor-drawn implements.

Road authorities including Mutare City Council and Gwanda Municipality have already benefited, while the Department of Roads is being supported to revive maintenance units nationwide.

The acquisition of in-house equipment has reduced reliance on external contractors, lowered costs and enabled faster project completion.

ZINARA has also strengthened road safety institutions, channelling additional funding to the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to expand inspection fleets, procure vehicles and modernise testing facilities.

These measures are expected to enhance inspection efficiency and ensure that only roadworthy vehicles use public roads.

The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has likewise been capacitated to intensify nationwide road safety awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, several road authorities recorded budget utilisation, with some achieving 100 percent absorption.

These include Gwanda Municipality, Gokwe Town Council, Kwekwe Municipality, Mutoko RDC, Tsholotsho RDC, Buhera RDC, Murehwa RDC and Sanyati RDC, setting benchmarks for effective planning and execution.

While acknowledging challenges such as slow procurement processes, shortages of qualified engineers and equipment breakdowns, ZINARA said it would intensify technical support, capacity building and contract management assistance as it moves into 2026.

ZINARA is also accelerating the rollout of electronic tolling through e-tags, a digital transformation aimed at improving efficiency, reducing congestion at toll plazas and enhancing transparency in revenue collection.

“In 2025, ZINARA advanced toll operations with the commissioning of the Norton Toll Plaza, while Dema and Juru toll plazas are at various stages of modernisation. These developments are reducing congestion, improving turnaround times and enhancing travel experiences,” the ministry said.

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Source: Government pushes for health sector overhaul -Newsday Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE’S health sector entered a new phase of transformation in 2025 as the government accelerated major reforms under the National Development Strategy, a blueprint aimed at propelling the country towards upper-middle-income status by 2030.

Central to the reforms are the Presidential Hospital Renovation Scheme and the expansion of rural health facilities, initiatives designed to strengthen access to quality healthcare nationwide.

The government has begun refurbishing key public health institutions, marking a significant step in a broader programme to modernise health infrastructure and improve conditions in public hospitals.

In an interview recently, Health and Child Care ministry secretary Aspect Maunganidze said the renovations were intended to equip central and provincial hospitals with infrastructure suited to current and future healthcare needs.

“2025 saw a rollout of the Presidential Hospital Renovation Scheme, starting with Parirenyatwa School of Nursing and now we have moved to Mpilo. The intention is to make sure all central hospitals and provincial hospitals… have infrastructure that is fit for purpose as we move from NDS1 [National Development Strategy 1] to NDS2. This is our last lap to achieve Vision 2030,” he said.

Maunganidze added that preparatory work was underway for the construction of new health centres in Manhize, Paradza, Rudhanda and Bulilima, with building expected to begin in 2026.

In recent years, the government has scaled up investment in primary healthcare facilities in rural and previously underserved communities. Several pilot health centres have been completed and commissioned, including Mataga in Mberengwa, Runyararo, Cowdray Park and Stoneridge.

“We commissioned Mataga in Mberengwa in 2025. It was the fourth of the four pilot centres opened in the last two to three years. We are at the groundbreaking for the next four… Manhize, Paradza, Rudhanda and Bulilima, set for rollout in 2026. This will help to reduce walking distance for rural communities from 10 kilometres to 5 kilometres,” he said.

Beyond infrastructural development, the government is strengthening the health workforce through a decentralised recruitment system for nursing trainees. Provinces now play a greater role in selecting candidates, an approach aimed at improving long-term staff retention by encouraging health workers to serve in their home districts.

“We have devolved recruitment for nurses coming into training. Each province can now determine who is being trained. People are more likely to serve the communities they grew up in and this will help the spirit of development,” Maunganidze said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently underscored the importance of a functional health sector in driving sustainable development, stressing that access to affordable, quality healthcare is essential, especially for vulnerable populations.

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Source: End of the road for The Warriors, as Bafana Bafana secure last 16 berth -Newsday Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE . . . . . . . (1) 2

SOUTH AFRICA .  .  .(1) 3

SOUTH Africa defeated regional rivals Zimbabwe 3-2 in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group B match at the Marrakesh Stadium last night, securing a place in the last 16 of the continental tournament.

Bafana Bafana claimed the win thanks to goals from Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis, clinching second place in Group B behind Egypt. South Africa will advance to play the runner-up from Group F (one of Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique) on January 4 in Rabat.

The Warriors finished bottom of the group and kept up their unfortunate record of elimination in the group stage in all of their Afcon tournament appearances.

South Africa threatened from early on and duly claimed the lead in the seventh minute, with Tshepang Moremi’s shot-cross from the right of the penalty area deflecting off Divine Lunga and evading goalkeeper Washington Arubi to find the back of the net.

Zimbabwe levelled the game in the 19th minute via Tawanda Maswanhise, who dribbled skilfully into a shooting position – leaving a couple of defenders in his wake – before firing a low drive beyond the right hand of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The Warriors should have gone ahead 10 minutes later when Jonah Fabisch whipped in a great cross from a free kick, picking out the unmarked Munashe Garananga, but the big defender put his header over the crossbar.

Locked at 1-1 at the interval, Bafana Bafana made a change at the start of the second half by introducing Bathusi Aubaas to add some extra steel and stability in midfield.

South Africa reclaimed the ascendancy in the 50th minute, as Foster latched onto a poor back header from Lunga and bravely beat Washington Arubi to the bouncing ball to head into an empty net for 2-1.

The Warriors responded with a triple change on the hour mark – sending on Tawanda Chirewa, Macauley Bonne and Junior Zindoga – and they nearly claimed a second equaliser from Maswanhise a few minutes later, but his low drive rebounded off the base of the post.

Zimbabwe then scored out of nowhere in the 74th minute to level the game at 2-2. Chirewa played a brilliant pass to put Maswanhise in on goal – his shot was saved by the legs of Williams, but the rebound hit Aubrey Modiba and travelled into the net for an own goal.

More drama followed when the Warriors’ captain Marvelous Nakamba was guilty of a bizarre handball in his own 18-yard area, handing South Africa a penalty (which was awarded after a VAR check). Appollis took the spot kick in the 82nd minute and confidently struck the ball into the bottom corner to restore the lead at 3-2.

Bafana Bafana still had to weather some late scares, with Zimbabwe continuing to look dangerous whenever they attacked, but ultimately Hugo Broos’s side emerged victorious.

Zimbabwe: W. Arubi, B. Galloway, G. Takwara, M. Garananga (E. Jalai 75’), J. Fabisch (T. Chakuchichi 89’), B. Antonio (J. Zindoga 60’), M. Nakamba, D. Msendami (T. Chirewa 59’), D. Lunga, P. Dube (M. Bonne 60’), T. Maswanhise

South Africa: R. Williams, K. Mudau, S. Ngezana, M. Mbokazi, A. Modiba, T. Mokoena, S. Sithole (B. Aubaas 46’), O. Appollis, S. Mbule (T. Mbatha 87’), T. Moremi (M. Nkota 76’), L. Foster (E. Makgopa 73’)

— SuperSport

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Source: Battle over gold producer takes new twist -Newsday Zimbabwe

SIX individuals and a company claiming ownership of Wan Wenjin Jewellers (Pvt) Ltd sold their shareholding to Chinese co-founder Wan Wenjin, court documents and correspondence reveal, adding a new twist to the ongoing dispute over control of the Manicaland-based gold producer.

According to affidavits filed at the High Court, Jianping Hu, another claimant, was never a shareholder of the company.

The dispute over the control of the bullion producer pits Wan Wenjin and Kennedy Sithole against Jonathan Brian Chirawo, David T Muchinguri, Humphrey Tafara Mnangagwa, Chriswell Daitone, Tendai Dzanza, Kakorodzi Enterprises and Jianping Hu, all of whom are contesting control of the firm.

In his supporting affidavit, Wan said he bought out Kakorodzi Enterprises and became the company’s sole shareholder and director.

He further averred that Jianping was never a shareholder or director of Wan Wenjin Jewellers.

Wan said he never sold back any of his shares in the company to Chirawo, Muchinguri, Mnangagwa, Daitone and Dzanza after buying out the quintet.

He said  Jianping and his son, Song Zhoulin, never had authority “to represent my interests in the company”.

Wan also told the court that he lawfully appointed Sithole as a director in terms of the company’s Articles of Association, insisting that Sithole’s actions were valid and not fraudulent.

Court documents show Wan and Sithole scoring victories with High Court judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda ruling that the application made by Chirawo, Wan Wenjin Jewellers, Jianping, Muchinguri, Mnangagwa, Daitone and Dzanza as “not being urgent, be and is hereby struck off the roll for urgent matters with costs.”

In case No HCH6121/25, the septet had dragged Wan, Sithole, Wan Wenjin Jellewers, the Registrar of Companies and the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court to court.

In another case, HCH5577/25, between Wan Wenjin Jewellers (Pvt) Ltd and Sithole against Kakorodzi Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Muchinguri, Mnangagwa, Chirawo, Dzanza, Mhinduro Rushambwa, Daitone and Registrar of Companies, High Court judge Justice Davison Foroma ruled in favour of the applicants.

Justice Foroma ordered that all the changes effected to the shareholding and directorship of the 1st applicant, Wan Wenjin Jewellers (Pvt) Ltd, at the company registry by any of the respondents, including the re-registration and appointment of new directors, be and are hereby suspended pending the prosecution of HCH5538/25.

Justice Foroma prohibited the respondents or any of their associates, from interfering with Wan Wenjin Jewellers’ day-to-day business activities, including but not limited to decision-making, financial transactions, client and stakeholder communication and management of company assets, until the final determination of the summons filed by the applicants under case number HCH5538/25.

Despite the rulings, the dispute remains unresolved.

Lawyers representing the former shareholders, according to Sithole, recently petitioned Mutapa, Investment Fund chief executive John Mangudya to nullify a gold mining deal, which Allied Timbers boss Remigion Nenzou entered into with Sithole, whose legal eligibility to represent the firm they are contesting.

In a letter dated December 15, 2025, the lawyers wrote: “We demand that Mutapa Investment Fund and Allied Timbers immediately interdict the mining agreement dated November 10, 2025; suspend all related operations due to sub-judice and initiate an internal investigation into the conduct of Mr Nenzou.”

Failure to terminate Nenzou’s deal with Sithole, Madondo Legal Practitioners wrote, will compel their clients to institute legal action against the duo.

In a letter to Nenzou dated December 17, 2025, Sithole hit back, labelling the claimant former shareholders wanting to be “allowed back into the company which they rejected”.

“Up to this point, they are yet to cancel the share certificates and the agreement that they had with Mr Wan as indicated in his affidavit above. They remain excluded from the company,” the letter read.

Sithole said they were facing a “barrage of attacks from the former shareholders who were claiming to have miraculously gotten back into the company”.

“These attacks are conveniently coming at the end of the stretch of attacks against the operations on site,” he said.

“When these failed, these former shareholders sought to come back. They effected some changes which have included some people who had already been explicitly identified as not being part of the company.”

In the letter to Nenzou, Sithole also attached documents showing that Muchinguri, Mnangagwa,  Chirawo, Dzanza, Rushambwa and Daitone sold their shares to Wan in January last year.

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