Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke

Senior Health Reporter

THE National Pharmaceutical Company  says it is ready to venture into pharmaceutical manufacturing after recording major gains in stabilising the country’s medicines supply chain in 2025, a shift expected to strengthen national self-reliance and reduce dependence on imports.

NatPharm chief executive officer Mr Newman Madzikwa said improvements achieved during the year had created a platform for the parastatal to move beyond distribution and into local production, following lessons drawn from regional and international benchmarks.

“We believe we are now ready to start embarking on manufacturing projects. That will be a major undertaking for the entity going forward,” Mr Madzikwa said.

The move follows what officials describe as one of NatPharm’s strongest years in addressing long-standing weaknesses in medicine distribution, warehousing and availability across public health institutions.

Mr Madzikwa said while challenges remained, the gains recorded in 2025 demonstrated the parastatal’s growing operational capacity.

“The performance for NatPharm for 2025 has been quite satisfactory, given the plans that we had at the beginning of the year. However, it has also demonstrated to us that we have the capacity to do even better. It is exciting that we were able to move stock that had overstayed in our warehouses to the areas where it was needed and we saw an increase in availability, although not to the levels that we really wanted,” he said.

The turnaround comes as Government, under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), intensifies efforts to end medicine stock-outs while building a resilient, locally supported pharmaceutical system.

A key highlight for NatPharm in 2025 was the commissioning of the Mutare regional warehouse, which emerged as a strategic logistics hub for Manicaland Province and a gateway for medicines entering the country through the Beira Port.

The facility has reduced turnaround times for hospitals and clinics in the eastern region, while strengthening Zimbabwe’s capacity to receive pharmaceutical commodities.

Mr Madzikwa said the warehouse, officially commissioned by President Mnangagwa in October, was central to NatPharm’s long-term logistics strategy.

“The Mutare warehouse gives us increased capacity not only to distribute commodities in Manicaland Province, but also to receive commodities that come through the Beira Port,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2026, NatPharm plans to refurbish its Harare national warehouse into a fully pharma-grade facility, with support from Government and development partners. The upgrade is expected to improve compliance with international storage standards and provide a backbone for future manufacturing operations.

NatPharm has also strengthened its distribution capacity during the year by expanding its trucking fleet and introducing scheduled delivery calendars, bringing greater predictability and reliability to medicine supplies at health institutions.

President Mnangagwa is on record reaffirming the Government’s commitment to capacitating NatPharm to guarantee the steady availability of essential medicines, while accelerating local pharmaceutical production as a pillar of national self-reliance.

“I urge the Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure that the construction of additional regional warehouses in other provinces goes according to plan. This will significantly improve the operational efficiency in the access to medicines, drugs and medical consumables in our health service delivery system and further enhance our quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Going forward, I want to assure the nation that Government will continue to capacitate NatPharm, to ensure the availability of medicines,” the President said at the commissioning of the Mutare Warehouse.

He stressed the need to stimulate productivity through local manufacturing of medicines and medical equipment.

President Mnangagwa also highlighted progress being made in the sector, noting a steady increase in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturing entities.

“It is praiseworthy that since 2018, there has been a 56 percent increase in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturing entities from nine in 2020 to the current 14. I, however, challenge Government players together with the private sector, institutions of higher learning, as well as Development Partners to scale up collaboration so that we add on to the current plants,” he added.

From stabilised supply chains and expanded regional warehouses to improved deliveries and medicine availability, the gains recorded in 2025 mark a decisive turning point.

For NatPharm, they are now underpinning a strategic shift towards pharmaceutical manufacturing, a move expected to redefine Zimbabwe’s medicines landscape under NDS2.

The post Self-reliance by design…NatPharm sets sights on drug manufacturing appeared first on herald.

The post Self-reliance by design…NatPharm sets sights on drug manufacturing appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Peter Matika

Zimpapers Writer

POLICE, working with stakeholders in Bulawayo, have urged residents to usher in the New Year responsibly, warning that reckless behaviour, unlawful festivities and road indiscipline will not be tolerated as security operations are intensified across the city.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele cautioned against dangerous activities commonly associated with New Year’s Eve celebrations, particularly using vehicles for illegal spinning, drifting and skidding on public roads.

“As we approach the 31st of December 2025, a day often marked by spinning, drifting and skidding in undesignated areas, we urge the public to exercise caution as these activities can lead to serious accidents and loss of life,” she said.

Insp Msebele said although spinning has been recognised as a sport by the Sports and Recreation Commission, it must only be conducted at designated venues.

“The motoring public is urged to refrain from spinning or skidding in the central business district. Participation must be confined to designated areas,” she said.

The post Police warn against reckless festivities appeared first on herald.

The post Police warn against reckless festivities appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Zvamaida Murwira

Senior Reporter

PUNTERS who win bets in Zimbabwe will immediately see a quarter of their prize being withheld by the gaming operator before being transmitted to the Government under a new tax regime introduced on Monday through the promulgation of the Finance Act.

Under the regulations, gaming operators —including sports betting firms, casinos and lottery providers— are now required to deduct 25 percent of a punter’s gross winnings at the point of payout.

For example, if a punter wins US$20 on a football match, US$5 (25 percent) will be withheld as tax, and the punter will receive US$15.

The gaming company must then report and forward that US$5 to ZIMRA.

The new measures are provided for under the Finance Act, which was signed into law this week by President Mnangagwa and take effect from January 1.

Reads the Finance Act: “Every gaming operator shall withhold twenty-five per centum of the punter’s gross winnings or aggregate gross winnings (as the case may be) from which the punter is paid out the winnings by the gaming operator with whom the punter placed the bet or bets or bought the ticket concerned; for which purpose, the gaming operator concerned shall, no later than the tenth day of the month following the month in which the gaming operator paid out those winnings or aggregate winnings (or within such further time as the Commissioner may for good cause allow), pay to the Commissioner the punters tax due from such punter.”

Since the deducted amount will be remitted to ZIMRA by the 10th day of the following month, the regulations make the operators the primary collection agents for the Government.

The operator must also submit a detailed return for each winning customer by the 5th of the month.

“The gaming operator shall provide the Commissioner with a return in respect of each punter the gaming operator paid out, no later than the fifth day of the month following the month in which the gaming operator collected those takings, or within such further time as the Commissioner may for good cause shown allow, in a form approved by the Commissioner, showing – the amount of the punters tax; and the amount of the gross winnings from which the tax is paid.”

In addition to taxing punters, the law also imposes a 20 percent tax on the gross monthly takings of gaming operators.

Operators are required to pay the tax monthly and submit returns to ZIMRA, with the tax also treated as final.

“Every gaming operator shall pay twenty per centum of his or her gross takings in every month to the Commissioner no later than the tenth day of the month following the month in which the gaming operator collected those takings, or within such further time as the Commissioner may for good cause allow. Payment of gaming operators tax shall be treated as a final tax.

“The gaming operator shall provide the Commissioner with a return no later than the fifth day of the month following the month in which the gaming operator collected those takings, or within such further time as the Commissioner may for good cause shown allow, in a form approved by the Commissioner,

showing — the amount of the gaming operators tax; and the amount of the gross takings from which the tax is paid.”

ZIMRA has powers under the law to recover unpaid gaming and punters’ taxes as debts due to the State, with penalties equal to the unpaid tax for non-compliance, although penalties may be waived where failure to pay was not intentional.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube announced the tax changes during the presentation of the 2026 National Budget.

He cited the rapid expansion of the betting and gambling industry and the need to strengthen revenue collection.

“Government has noted the growth of the betting and gambling industry over the past decade, with the emergence of sports betting, lotteries, and casino gaming,” he said.

“Preliminary industry data indicates an annual increase in revenue of about 8 percent to 10 percent during the period 2023 to 2024.

“The rise in betting-related vices which include addiction, indebtedness, suicide and loss of productive hours has outpaced the existing regulatory controls.

“In addition, widespread profit-shifting practices and underdeclaration of revenues have resulted in under-taxation of a rapidly expanding sector.”

In line with international best practice, Prof Ncube said betting and casino operators are commonly taxed on a turnover basis at rates of between 15 and 30 percent, prompting Zimbabwe to raise its Bookmakers Tax from three percent to 20 percent and the punters’ tax from 10 percent to 25 percent.

Government expects the new tax regime to significantly increase revenue collections from the sector and improve compliance, as taxes are collected directly at source through licensed operators.

In recent years, Zimbabwe’s betting and gaming industry has expanded rapidly to become one of the most visible segments of the country’s leisure and entertainment economy.

What began largely as traditional sports betting and limited casino gaming has evolved into a vibrant digital and retail wagering sector attracting millions of participants, particularly youth and urban populations.

Sports betting — especially on football matches — has become the cornerstone of the industry, drawing widespread participation.

The post New tax on betting winnings takes effect appeared first on herald.

The post New tax on betting winnings takes effect appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Joseph Madzimure

Zimpapers Politics Hub

ZANU PF Matabeleland South will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its parliamentary members’ performance, ensuring they remain accountable to their constituencies, provincial chairman Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu has announced.

In an interview this week, Cde Ndlovu, who also serves as the Minister of Industry and Commerce, said all elected officials must answer to the electorate.

“In the last quarter of the year, I launched a programme to hold our office bearers accountable across the province. I am visiting all constituencies to strengthen our party structures. We are convening the top five representatives from each wing for an all-day discussion in a central location,” said Cde Ndlovu.

During these meetings, the focus will be on assessing whether public expectations are being met in the constituencies.

“The electorate is questioning whether we have met their expectations since entrusting ZANU-PF with power in 2023. For now, our focus is on the party. I will also engage with the general public, as we often lack effective mechanisms for holding each other accountable,” he said.

Representing ZANU-PF in an election was a privilege, not a right. “Particularly when you win and represent the people as a ZANU-PF member in Parliament, we must not allow individual MPs’ behaviour to sow doubts about the party. We will not allow a situation where people have misgivings about the party because of individual MPs’ behaviour,” he said.

Cde Ndlovu would engage directly with community members and listen to their concerns. “I continuously reassured them that we are the ruling party, currently in Government, capable of providing effective solutions. We have begun to address several of the issues raised, and I am pleased to report that we have successfully tackled quite a number of them,” he said.

Cde Ndlovu is scheduled to visit Beitbridge West and East on January 9 and 10 next year to engage with party structures.

Regarding ongoing restructuring efforts, he said the province was establishing branches to ensure every party member was visible and accounted for.

“We are drafting a booklet detailing our situation constituency by constituency, so that our MPs and councillors will have this valuable information,” he said.

He reaffirmed that Matabeleland South would remain a ZANU-PF stronghold.

The post Zanu PF Mat South to assess MPs’ performance for accountability appeared first on herald.

The post Zanu PF Mat South to assess MPs’ performance for accountability appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

LONDON – Arsenal ensured it will end the year top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 4-1 at home in a powerful statement win on Tuesday with all goals scored in the second half.

The fourth goal, scored by substitute Gabriel Jesus one minute after coming on, highlighted the depth of Arsenal’s bench this season and coach Mikel Arteta jubilantly high-fived his assistants at the final whistle.

Victory moved Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City, which plays at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, and six points clear of third-place Villa.

“It is a beautiful evening. That was a very tough match, as we knew it would be, because they are a top opponent to play against,” Arteta told broadcaster Sky Sports. “The way we started the second half was amazing, we really turned things up and were efficient in everything that we did.”

Arsenal has not won the Premier League since 2004 and the pressure is on Arteta to deliver.

“In 2026, we know what we want,” Arteta said.

Villa manager Unai Emery later defended his decision not to shake Arteta’s hand at the end of the game by saying it was “cold” at the Emirates.

“Always my routine is go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside,” the former Arsenal manager told Sky Sports. “If he is not doing the same rule, I can’t wait … it was cold.”

Elsewhere, Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth; Newcastle won 3-1 at lowly Burnley; and Manchester United was held 1-1 at home to rock-bottom Wolverhampton.

Struggling West Ham drew 2-2 with visiting Brighton, and Everton won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Sharing the goals

No Arsenal player is near the top of the scorers’ charts this season, yet sharing the goals around might just be the team’s strength.

Defender Gabriel Magalhães headed home early in the second half following a corner for set-piece specialist Arsenal, and midfielder Martín Zubimendi netted in the 52nd minute.

Winger Leandro Trossard curled in a fine third from the edge of the penalty area in the 69th and was involved in the fourth goal, curled into the same corner from almost the same spot in the 78th minute by Jesus after Arsenal had launched a superb counterattack from deep.

The win was even more impressive considering Arsenal was missing key midfielder Declan Rice with a knee injury and Villa was playing on the back of 11 straight victories in all competitions.

Gabriel nodded in from close range and was deemed not to have impeded Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with his elbow.

Zubimendi finished confidently after captain Martin Ødegaard expertly won the ball in midfield and advanced before threading a perfect ball behind Villa’s defense.

Ollie Watkins grabbed an injury-time consolation for Villa.

Poor defending costs Chelsea

Bournemouth’s David Brooks netted early from close range after Chelsea failed to deal with a throw-in from the right.

Cole Palmer equalized in the 15th with a penalty awarded after a video review ruled that Antoine Semenyo’s knee had gone into the back of forward Estevão’s leg.

Midfielder Enzo Fernández gave Chelsea the lead midway through the first half, but Chelsea gifted Bournemouth an equalizer when a defender headed on a throw-in from the left and Justin Kluivert scored at the back post for 2-2.

Chelsea is fifth and level on 30 points with United in sixth.

United held by Wolves

Manchester United led through Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected strike in the 27th but Ladislav Krejčí equalized close to halftime for Wolves with a powerful downward header.

It was Wolves manager Rob Edwards’ first point since taking charge in November.

Patrick Dorgu’s injury-time goal for United was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Boos at the final whistle by United fans contrasted with Wolves supporters’ chants of “We’ve won a point.”

Wissa scores for Newcastle
Yoane Wissa grabbed his first league goal since joining from Brentford as Newcastle moved into 10th spot.

Newcastle was 2-0 up inside seven minutes with Joelinton being set up from the left wing by Anthony Gordon and Wissa bundling in from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

Josh Laurent pulled a goal back for Burnley midway through the first half. Newcastle survived nervy moments before Bruno Guimarães sealed the win with an expert lob in stoppage time.

Next-to-last Burnley is two points behind West Ham in 18th.

Garner and Paquetá shine

Everton netted in the 19th when James Garner drilled in a low finish after being set up down the right by Dwight McNeil.

Garner then turned neatly in midfield before feeding Thierno Barry with a defense-splitting pass to make it 2-0 against Forest in the 79th.

West Ham took an early lead against Brighton when striker Jarrod Bowen latched onto Lucas Paquetá’s exquisite through ball from halfway and struck a low shot into the bottom corner.

Veteran forward Danny Welbeck equalized for Brighton from the penalty spot for his eighth goal of the season, and then hit the crossbar with a Panenka-style chipped penalty later in the first half.

Paquetá converted his spot kick with a staggered run-up in first-half injury time, but Joël Veltman equalized for Brighton in the 61st following a corner.

Defending champion Liverpool hosts Leeds on Thursday.

Source: AP