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Source: Over 1 000 delegates expected at Tripartite Negotiating Forum indaba – herald

Business Reporter

The Tripartite Negotiating Forum will host a landmark global summit in Victoria Falls next month, bringing together more than 1 000 delegates to discuss inclusive economic growth, decent work, investment and beneficiation.

TNF is a statutory national platform that brings together the Government, organised business and organised labour to negotiate socio-economic and labour market issues.

In Zimbabwe, TNF harmonises divergent interests among the State, employers and workers to create stable national policies and acts as an early warning system to resolve labour disputes and prevent costly, disruptive industrial strikes.

The platform negotiates social contracts, addresses cost-of-living challenges, and aligns labour productivity with wage adjustment.

The TNF Global Summit 2026 will run from September 21 to 25 and is expected to attract Government officials, business leaders, labour representatives, investors, development partners, academics, civil society, youth organisations, and international institutions from Zimbabwe and beyond.

The gathering is being held under the theme, “Inclusive Growth, Decent Work, Beneficiation and Investment Promotion”.

President Mnangagwa, who is the guest of honour, will officially open the summit.

TNF executive director Mr Albert Nyakadzumbu said the event would provide an important platform for stakeholders to shape Zimbabwe’s economic development agenda.

“The gathering will provide an important platform for developing practical policies and solutions that promote decent work, economic competitiveness, value addition, beneficiation, investment promotion, productivity and sustainable livelihoods,” Mr Nyakadzumbu said.

More than 15 countries have confirmed participation, according to TNF, with senior Government officials, ministers, employers’ organisations, trade union leaders, investors, diplomats, researchers and business executives expected to attend.

The summit comes as Zimbabwe seeks to accelerate economic transformation and industrialisation while advancing its Vision 2030 ambition of attaining upper-middle-income economy status.

The TNF said the summit would support implementation of the National Development Strategy 2 and provide a platform for discussions around employment creation, industrialisation, labour market transformation, digital innovation, green growth, infrastructure and skills development.

Delegates will participate in high-level plenary sessions, ministerial dialogues, policy discussions and investment forums, alongside business-to-business engagements, exhibitions and networking events.

The organisers said investment promotion would be a key component of the summit, with Zimbabwe expected to showcase its economic opportunities and investment climate to international participants.

The gathering is also expected to strengthen collaboration between Government, business and labour, while creating opportunities for international cooperation, knowledge exchange and investment mobilisation.

The TNF said the summit was intended to position Zimbabwe as a preferred destination for investment and trade, while promoting dialogue around policies that support inclusive growth and industrial harmony.

“As Zimbabwe’s legislated platform for social dialogue, the Tripartite Negotiating Forum remains committed to fostering consensus among Government, business and labour on social and economic policies that contribute to inclusive growth, industrial harmony and national prosperity,” Mr Nyakadzumbu said.

The summit is expected to place Zimbabwe’s social dialogue, investment and economic transformation agenda before a broad international audience when delegates converge on Victoria Falls in September.

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Source: Parliament approves 10 Senate appointments – herald

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

PARLIAMENT has approved 10 people who have been recommended by President Mnangagwa for appointment as Senators following the enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026, which expanded Senate from 80 to 90 members.

The appointments are provided for under an amendment to Section 120 of the Constitution, which creates 10 additional Presidentially-appointed Senate seats for people selected based on their professional skills and other competencies.

The provision requires the President to consult the National Assembly before making the appointments.

The appointees are, therefore, not elected Senators, but will join the Senate through the new Constitutional provision.

The Act was signed into law by President Mnangagwa in July.

The 10 are now waiting for their swearing-in.

Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda announced the nominees at a National Assembly sitting and instituted the process that allows approval by the House.

“After consultation with the National Assembly, I have to inform the House that His Excellency, the President, is desirous of appointing the following as Senators: No.1 Jabulani Sibanda, 2. Mary Mliswa, 3. Nokhutula Matsikenyere, 4. Kudakwashe Tagwirei, 5.Godwills Masimirembwa, 6.Lucy Chitaga, 7. General Gibson Mashingaidze, 8. Makosini Hlongwane, 9. Brilliant Dube, 10. Irene Mutumbwa”

The appointments bring together former legislators, senior Zanu PF figures, a businessman, a retired military commander and people with backgrounds in law, politics and civic activism.

Cde Sibanda is a former chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, a position he held for more than a decade.

He is the Bulawayo Zanu PF provincial chairman.

Cde Mliswa was Zanu PF MP for Hurungwe West constituency, having won in the 2018 election.

In 2022, Cde Mliswa made party history by becoming the first woman to chair a Zanu PF provincial structure after winning the Mashonaland West chairmanship.

Cde Matsikenyere represented Chimanimani West in the National Assembly after winning the 2018 elections.

She later served as Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.

Cde Tagwirei is a prominent businessman with interests spanning energy, mining and agriculture.

He is a Zanu PF Central Committee member.

Cde Masimirembwa is Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman, while Retired General Mashingaidze is a war veteran and former senior Zimbabwe National Army officer.

Cde Hlongwane is a former Zanu PF legislator for Mberengwa East who served in Government as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, while Mr Brilliant Dube is a politician.

Ms Mutumbwa and Ms Chitaga were also actively involved in politics.

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Source: Kariba ferry disaster: Govt demands answers – herald

Mukudzei Chingwere

Senior Reporter

GOVERNMENT will institute a formal inquest into the Lake Kariba passenger ferry disaster after preliminary investigations revealed that the ill-fated vessel was overloaded and may have been left vulnerable to known hazardous conditions on the lake.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Government had already commenced formal investigations and would now move to determine the precise circumstances that led to the capsizing of the RIDA Mbuya Nehanda ferry last week.

Concerns have been raised about whether the ferry was fit for purpose, but Government has dismissed allegations that the boat was dilapidated.

Minister Garwe said the ferry held a fitness certificate that had been authenticated through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, adding that Cabinet had approved the inquest to uncover “exactly what took place.”

“The boat had a fitness certificate or certification through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development,” said Minister Garwe.

“The problems that occurred were as a result of negligence. Cabinet has approved that we go ahead and put in place an inquest to start investigations into exactly what took place.”

Speaking during the same media briefing, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, who chaired the post-Cabinet session, updated the nation on Cabinet’s discussion of the disaster and the preliminary findings.

She said Cabinet had received the official report on the accident, which has so far confirmed 94 deaths and reported that the ferry was carrying approximately 180 passengers and goods—which is double the vessel’s carrying capacity of 90.

Authorities further noted that the capsizing occurred after the ferry was struck by strong waves.

Government said the Meteorological Services Department had issued an early warning, instructing all users of the lake not to sail.

“The nation is advised that preliminary investigations indicate that the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA)’s Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which capsized on Lake Kariba on 11 August 2026, was ferrying about 180 passengers and goods, thus exceeding its carrying capacity,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.

“The vessel reportedly capsized after being struck by strong waves. Government notes that the Meteorological Services Department had issued an early warning advising all lake users against sailing.”

So far, 77 passengers have been rescued from the accident, while the remains of 94 have been retrieved, and seven people—confirmed by relatives to have been on board—are still missing.

“Government has commenced formal investigations, which include examining the structural remains of the vessel and probing operational and compliance issues,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.

President Mnangagwa has since declared the incident a State of Disaster in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act and directed all relevant authorities to provide affected families with funeral services, medical assistance, and psycho-social support to help them cope with trauma arising from the incident.

“Accordingly, Government is providing State-assisted burials through Doves and Nyaradzo Funeral Services,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.

She said the Department of Civil Protection continues to coordinate search, rescue, and recovery operations in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders.

“The operations continue to intensify, with a privately owned helicopter from the Matusadona Conservation Trust deployed to support rescue efforts. All Lake Kariba users are urged to remain vigilant and urgently report any floating objects,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.

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Source: Govt insists tragic Mbuya Nehanda ferry did not enter Zambian waters –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Aug. 18 (NewsDay Live) — Government has dismissed reports that the Mbuya Nehanda ferry drifted into Zambian waters after capsizing on Lake Kariba, insisting the vessel remained in Zimbabwean waters.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said preliminary investigations showed the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) vessel, which capsized on Aug. 11, had travelled about five kilometres into the lake before the disaster.

Garwe was speaking at the 27th post-Cabinet briefing in Harare, where he gave an update on the government’s response to the tragedy.

“Preliminary investigations indicate the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, RIDA, Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which capsized along Lake Kariba on 11 August 2026, was carrying about 180 passengers, thus exceeding its carrying capacity,” Garwe said.

“The vessel reportedly capsized after being struck by strong waves.”

The minister said the voyage had proceeded despite warnings from the Meteorological Services Department advising lake users against sailing.

Police have since put the death toll at 94, as search and recovery operations continue.

Government also rejected claims that the search for victims needed to be extended into Zambia because the vessel had crossed the international boundary.

Garwe said the ferry did not enter Zambian waters before or after the accident, dismissing reports circulating on social media and elsewhere about its location.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the tragedy a state of disaster in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act and directed government agencies to provide assistance to affected families.

“The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, declared the incident a state of disaster in terms of Section 27.1 of the Civil Protection Act and directed all relevant authorities to provide affected families with funeral services, medical assistance and psychosocial support,” Garwe said.

Government is providing state-assisted burials through Doves and Nyaradzo funeral services. In addition, Old Mutual is providing free funeral services for families in  need.

Investigations are also underway to establish whether the vessel was structurally sound and whether operational and regulatory requirements were followed.

Search and recovery operations involve the Department of Civil Protection, the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, with a private helicopter from the Matusadona Conservation Trust also deployed.

Authorities have urged members of the public and other Lake Kariba users to remain vigilant and report any floating debris that could assist recovery teams.

The disaster has raised fresh questions over passenger safety, vessel capacity and enforcement of warnings on Zimbabwe’s major inland water bodies

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Source: Five armed robbers arrested in Harare – herald

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

Five suspected armed robbers who were targeting bars, shops and tuckshops, where they would attack complainants before stealing cash and other valuables have been arrested.

The suspects were using a blue Toyota Passo as their getaway vehicle while armed with a Retay pistol.

In a statement national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Peter Gawa (31), Billian Magacha (31), Taurai Badza (37), Soneni Maruva (31) and Calvin Tinashe Langa (36) in connection with a series of armed robbery cases which occurred in Harare between July 17, 2026 and August 5, 2026,” he said.

“The suspects would use a blue Toyota Passo as their getaway vehicle while armed with a Retay pistol.

“They targeted bars, shops and tuckshops, where they would attack complainants before stealing cash and other valuables.”

He said in one of the cases, the suspects allegedly pounced on a company along Simon Mazorodze Road in Waterfalls, Harare, while armed with two firearms.

During the robbery, they attacked two security guards who were on duty, tied their hands and legs with pieces of cloth and stole a generator, three batteries and other valuables with a total value of approximately US$2 500.

Investigations conducted by the police have so far linked the suspects to seven counts of armed robbery.

Police have recovered the Retay pistol allegedly used in the commission of the offences, some of the clothing worn by the suspects as captured on some CCTV footage and two cellphones stolen from one of the complainants.

Comm Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends members of the public for their cooperation and urges anyone with information that may assist ongoing investigations to report at any nearest Police Station.”

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