Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Bulawayo man granted bail over 32kg copper cable theft -Newsday Zimbabwe

SIXTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Nhlanhla Ndebele has been granted bail by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira on a charge of unlawful possession of copper cables.

Ndebele is being accused of contravening the Electricity Act. He failed to give a satisfactory explanation for possessing 32kg of copper cables used in electricity transmission.

He was released on US$200 bail on condition that he surrenders his passport. His trial is set to commence on March 27.

The court heard that on March 10, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Bulawayo were on patrol in Old Luveve where they saw Ndebele, who was seated in a white Toyota Hilux with a South African number plate near his home.

After identifying themselves, the detectives requested to search the vehicle and Ndebele consented.

During the search, they discovered compartments beneath both sides of the vehicle’s load box.

Detectives recovered copper cables cut into small pieces from the compartments.

Ndebele failed to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess the copper, leading to his arrest.

The copper cables, the vehicle, and his Zimbabwean passport were seized by the police. His driving permit was also taken away.

On March 11, the copper was weighed at Zimpost Bulawayo.

It was taken to the Zimbabwe School of Mines for analysis and an official report was issued.

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Source: RBZ warns of inflation uptick as fuel price hike bites -Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has projected elevated inflation rates for March, April and May, following a sharp increase in the price of fuel.

The warning signals growing pressure on businesses and consumers, as rising fuel costs ripple through the economy, driving up production, transport and import expenses, and ultimately pushing up the prices of goods and services.

Last week, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority hiked fuel prices to US$2,17 per litre for petrol and US$2,05 for diesel, from US$1,77 and US$1,71, respectively.

In a statement, RBZ governor John Mushayavanhu said the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is concerned about the significant pass-through effects of the recent oil price shock on domestic prices, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

He said the committee noted that the rise in fuel prices constitutes a supply-side shock, which cannot be easily addressed through monetary policy.

“The increases in domestic fuel prices are likely to have second-round effects through adverse inflation expectations, which need an appropriate monetary policy response,” Mushayavanhu said.

“The month-on-month inflation will slightly increase in March, April and May 2026, before returning to its steady state levels from June 2026.”

He said there will be a slight upward shift in annual ZiG inflation, which, however, is expected to remain within single-digit levels throughout 2026 and the forecast period.

The ZiG month-on-month inflation rates for January and February were 0% and 0,1%, respectively, while the annual rates stood at 4,1% and 3,8%. Meanwhile, US dollar–denominated month-on-month inflation was 0,2% in January and 0,1% in February, with annual rates of 1% and 0,9%, respectively.

In response to the inflation uptick, the RBZ will maintain the bank policy rate at 35%. The central bank will also keep the current statutory reserve requirements unchanged: 15% for savings and time deposits, and 30% for demand and call deposits, applicable to both local and foreign currency accounts.

The sharp rise in fuel prices has already sparked price adjustments across the economy.

A survey by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) confirmed that most firms are facing rising costs, not only for fuel but across a broad range of expenses. These include raw materials, transportation and logistics, imported inputs, as well as insurance and shipping.

The CZI survey found that most firms have faced substantial fuel cost increases since the start of the Iran conflict in February, with 62% reporting rises of more than 20%. Another 21% of firms indicated cost increases of 11–20%, while 14% reported more moderate rises of 6–10%. The CZI noted that businesses are likely to pass these additional costs on to the prices of their goods and services.

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Source: Rising fuel costs hammer tourism industry –Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) has warned that soaring fuel prices are already putting pressure on the country’s tourism industry, with workers likely to demand higher wages amid a rising cost of living.

Last week, the government raised fuel prices to US$2,17 per litre for petrol and US$2,05 for diesel, up from US$1,77 and US$1,71, respectively, citing global supply pressures linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The sharp increases have made Zimbabwe’s fuel among the most expensive in the Southern African region.The fuel price increase has already triggered immediate adjustments, including a 10% rise in bread prices, while other essential goods have remained stable for the time being.

TBCZ president Clive Chinwada said the tourism sector “remains highly price-sensitive and internationally competitive”, and warned that rising fuel costs are cascading into broader operational and employment expenses.

“The increase in fuel prices is already cascading into broader cost-of-living pressures for employees. This is expected to drive increased demands for salary adjustments,” he told NewsDay Business.

Chinwada said fuel is a significant cost driver, adding that the tourism value chain will not be spared by the recent price hikes of fuel.

“So, like all economic sectors, we anticipate and are beginning to see changes and increases in the cost of inputs. This presents a dual cost burden on operators, who must now absorb both rising operational costs and growing employment-related expenses,” he said.

“Operators are often locked into forward bookings priced months in advance, limiting their ability to adjust rates without risking cancellations or loss of market share to regional competitors.”

Chinwada further warned that margins will be squeezed, as some costs cannot be immediately passed on to customers.

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“For instance, the bulk of business into Victoria Falls is on contracted rates, which contracts cannot be renegotiated immediately,” he said.

“Safari and tour operators are experiencing immediate cost increases across all mobility-related activities, including guest transfers, supply chains and field operations. These costs were not provisioned for in existing pricing structures.”

Chinwada requested short-term stabilisation or relief measures to cushion the tourism sector from fuel price shocks.

These include targeted support mechanisms for tourism operators to preserve competitiveness and sector viability, like special duty-free rebated fuel supplies at identified locations.

“It is, therefore, critical that emerging cost pressures are addressed in a coordinated and timely manner.”

On Tuesday, Cabinet considered the option of increasing the ethanol blending of petrol from the current E5 to E20 level with a view to reducing the pump price of petrol in the local market.

It said appropriate refinements of the options are underway, “and the necessary fuel price adjustments will be communicated in due course.”

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Source: Mnangagwa silent in ConCourt term-extension challenge -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Mar. 26 (NewsDay Live) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not filed opposing papers in a Constitutional Court challenge brought by war veterans seeking to block proposed amendments that could extend his tenure by two years.

Attorney-General Virginia Mabhiza, cited as the second respondent, has filed an opposing affidavit. She says she is acting on her own behalf and on behalf of the President, whom she states authorised her to respond because the matter turns on statutory interpretation with no foreseeable disputes of fact.

The applicants—Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Digmore Knowledge Ndiya and Joseph Chinguwa—are represented by constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku.

In a replying affidavit, Zulu argues that Mnangagwa’s failure to file papers indicates he is not opposing the relief sought.

“The failure of the first respondent to file an opposing affidavit… means that he is not opposed to the relief sought,” he said.

Zulu contends the President alone must answer such allegations and that the Attorney-General cannot stand in for him.

“I am advised that the averment by the second respondent that she is also representing the first respondent cannot have the effect of making her opposing affidavit that of the first respondent… the law does not permit her to speak on behalf of the first respondent in an application under section 167(2)(d) of the Constitution.”

He adds that only the President can respond to a claim alleging failure to fulfil constitutional duties, and that this obligation is non-delegable.

“This cannot be delegated to any other State official whatever the circumstances,” Zulu said.

The applicants are asking the court to nullify the proposed amendments, arguing they are unconstitutional and intended to unlawfully extend Mnangagwa’s rule.

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Source: Minister Ndudzo commissions textile technology design block at Hokodzi Secondary School – herald

Victor Maphosa

Mashonaland East Bureau

MASHONALAND East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo has commended Murehwa Rural District Council (RDC) for constructing a textile technology design block at Hokodzi Secondary School saying the initiative is in sync with the tenets of Education 5.0.

Education 5.0 is a heritage-based educational philosophy which focuses on the production of goods and services, transforming education institutions into innovation hubs where solutions to various problems are found.

Advocate Ndudzo officially commissioned the Hokodzi Secondary School Textile Technology Design block recently, where he also applauded the community for their participation during the construction phase.

“We used to have an education which focused on theories. However, research has shown that after school, recipients of that education system remained idle, hence the introduction of Education 5.0 which is primarily a heritage-based education curriculum,” he said.

“This type of education is important as it focuses on finding solutions to our problems. As you are aware, there are three needs of a human being, which are shelter, food and clothing. If one focuses on providing these three needs, one is guaranteed of a better livelihood.

“So I want to call on learners from this school to utilise this block and equip themselves with critical skills that will help them once they leave school.”

Murehwa West Member of Parliament Cde Farai Jere has provided all the sewing machines used by learners at the school.

Adv Ndudzo thanked Cde Jere for the gesture. Besides the just-commissioned textile technology design block, another block for Food and Nutrition is being built at the school, in a major boost of Education 5.0 implementation.

Adv Ndudzo said Heritage Based Education is key in the attainment of Vision 2030.

“By 2030, Zimbabwe should be an upper middle-income society, being led by President Mnangagwa and Education 5.0 plays a critical role in the attainment of that vision.

Soon after officially commissioning the block, Minister Ndudzo interacted with learners who are already studying the textile technology design at the school, and encouraged them to utilise their time at school productively.

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