Addressing Johanne Marange congregants during the church’s Passover gathering in Mafararikwa yesterday, Mnangagwa said the country’s progress depends on the collective efforts of every Zimbabwean.

“Let us all be front runners in building the Zimbabwe we all want, household by household, village by village, ward by ward and district by district,” he said.

Mnangagwa reiterated his oft-repeated message that Zimbabwe’s future lies in the hands of its people, saying, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo; ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.”

He encouraged communities to participate in local development initiatives including constructing roads, schools and health facilities while maximising the country’s agricultural and mineral resources to drive economic growth.

“Let us all take part in the construction of our roads, schools and health centres. Let us till our God-given land to produce the food we eat and also mine our resources to develop and modernise our country,” he said.

He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to inclusive development under the Second Republic.

“Under our ZANU PF-led Government, no one and no place will be left behind,” he said.

Mnangagwa commended Manicaland Province for its growing contribution to the national economy, noting that it is now ranked fifth in terms of its contribution to Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“I commend Manicaland Province for the successes you are registering across all sectors. The province is now ranked number five in terms of its contribution to the overall national GDP,” he said.

His remarks highlighted the government’s continued emphasis on community-driven development, economic productivity and inclusive growth as key pillars of the country’s national development agenda.

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Four men arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges of smuggling 30 tonnes of clothing from Tanzania.

Mallulidi Sultani, Sebastian Mutakwa, Carlton Mutize, and James Mugumbati appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Jesse Kufa on Thursday.

They were remanded in custody until July 22 for a bail application. Mugumbati faces an additional charge of impersonating a police officer.

​The court heard that on July 15, 2026, ZACC received intelligence indicating that a South African-registered haulage truck was in transit to the Chitungwiza industrial area, carrying a smuggled consignment of approximately 30 tonnes of clothing and assorted goods from Tanzania.

​Acting on the tip-off, ZACC officers launched an operation to intercept the truck before it could be offloaded. The vehicle was tracked and intercepted at an industrial stand where it was parked.

Sultani and Mutakwa disembarked from the truck and identified themselves as the driver and assistant driver, respectively.
​
When ZACC officers explained their purpose and inquired about the truck’s contents and clearance paperwork, Mugumbati arrived at the scene.

He introduced himself as a serving member of the Police Intelligence Unit and produced an identity card to that effect. He then claimed to be a joint owner of the 30-tonne clothing consignment.

​The prosecution alleged that when ZACC officers requested importation and customs clearance documents, the suspects failed to produce the genuine paperwork.

Instead, Mugumbati and an unnamed accomplice—who claimed to have hired the truck to deliver their goods from Tanzania—produced misleading documentation.

The papers bore stamps from the Chirundu Border Post dated between July 11 and 14, 2026.

​However, a closer inspection revealed that the paperwork actually pertained to a completely different consignment of 22,000 kilograms of honey, rather than clothing.

Consequently, the suspects were arrested, and both the haulage truck and its trailer were seized.

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The kidnapping and assault trial of a former corporate manager at Real Star Security has been postponed to July 30 after his lawyer failed to appear in court on the second day of proceedings.

Testifying on day one, complainant David Matanda said fear for his life delayed his police report.

Under cross-examination, he stated he only approached authorities two months after returning from self-imposed exile in South Africa.

Matanda briefly broke the tension in court, leaving attendees in stitches by accusing Mr. Marwa of repeating his questions.

At the center of the case is Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38), who faces kidnapping charges.

Detailing his timeline, Matanda said he returned from South Africa on December 16, 2025, and went to the police on February 19, 2026.

Though physically safe after his return, he told the court he was still severely traumatized by the alleged abduction in May 2025.

According to Matanda, he first disclosed the abduction to senior management at Real Star Security, his former employer, on February 12.

Acting on their advice, he reported the incident to the police a week later.

“I was afraid and I am still afraid up to today. I reported the case after I was advised to speak to the police.”

Matanda addressed inconsistencies between his testimony and his written statement by telling the court that the police may have omitted certain details when recording his initial report.

“I don’t know how the police wrote things but they left out some information, ” he said.

Having worked together for years, Matanda insisted he easily identified Rondozai before being blindfolded.

The trial has been pushed to July 30 by Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai due to lawyer Mr. Marwa’s absence on the second day of the trial.

According to the State’s case, Rondozai and four accomplices—who remain at large—committed the offenses in Chitungwiza in May 2025.

Matanda was allegedly abducted from his Zengeza 5 home after two of the accomplices masqueraded as police officers.

The five suspects allegedly assaulted, handcuffed and blindfolded Matanda before driving him off in a silver Honda Fit.

Court papers state that during his eight-hour unlawful detention, Rondozai ordered Matanda not to implicate him in the misappropriation of funds at Real Star Security, their former workplace.

The suspects also questioned Matanda about the security arrangements for the company’s directors threatening him with unspecified consequences if he reported the abduction or implicated Rondozai in any fraud.

Matanda was eventually dumped near a bridge along the New Chitungwiza Road.

Fearing for his life, he fled to South Africa, only returning home in December 2025.

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The Government is establishing treatment and drug rehabilitation centres across the country as part of efforts to address drug and substance abuse.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Minister of Health and Child Care Dr. Douglas Mombeshora said Government was rolling out rehabilitation centres despite resource constraints.

“The Government is in the process of establishing treatment and drug rehabilitation centres throughout the country. The problem is so huge that it will take us quite some time because of limited resources to be able to establish enough rehabilitation centres throughout the country.

“So far in the last year, we have managed to open four new centres and we have got a plan to open a centre in every province,” he said.

Dr. Mombeshora said land had already been identified for larger rehabilitation facilities.

“Land has also been identified to open bigger centres for rehabilitation programmes to be established in all the provinces. The Government has a plan and we are moving towards establishing those centres so that we will be able at some stage, to deal with all those who require the services,” he said.

He added that Government was also encouraging private sector participation.

“We are also encouraging private players to come in and to assist. We have a number of our rehabilitation centres that have been registered by the private sector,” said Dr. Mombeshora.

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The larger aircraft will operate primarily on the high-traffic Harare–Johannesburg and Victoria Falls–Johannesburg routes throughout August and September, providing additional seat capacity as cross-border leisure and business travel intensifies during the peak season.

The move marks the first time fastjet Zimbabwe will operate the Airbus A320. It signals a potential shift in the airline’s long-term fleet strategy as it seeks to strengthen regional connectivity and support future expansion.

According to the airline, the temporary deployment of the aircraft is designed not only to address immediate demand pressures but also to serve as an operational evaluation of the aircraft type ahead of a possible permanent fleet upgrade in 2027.

Fastjet Zimbabwe Business Chief Executive and Country Head Donahue Cortes said the timing of the introduction aligns with the airline’s busiest period of the year.

“The August and September peak travel period presents an ideal opportunity for us to introduce the Airbus A320 into our operation. This additional capacity enables us to meet the increased demand on our busiest routes while maintaining the reliability and service standards our customers expect.”

The Airbus A320-200 offers significantly higher passenger capacity compared to the Embraer regional jets currently operated by fastjet Zimbabwe, giving the airline greater flexibility on routes that continue to record strong demand between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

For fastjet, the deployment also represents a strategic test of how a larger narrow-body aircraft would perform within its existing route network and future growth plans.

“Beyond supporting our immediate operational requirements, this deployment is an important strategic step. It allows us to evaluate the Airbus A320 within our network as part of our longer-term fleet development strategy. Subject to the outcome of this trial, we see the Airbus A320 becoming a permanent part of the fastjet Zimbabwe fleet from next year, supporting our continued growth and strengthening connectivity between Zimbabwe and the region,” said Cortes.

The trial comes as airlines across Southern Africa continue to adjust capacity and modernise fleets in response to recovering regional travel demand, growing tourism traffic and increased business travel between major economic hubs.

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A 23-day anti-drug walkathon spanning more than 580 kilometres from Beitbridge to Harare concluded on Wednesday with a renewed call for stronger rehabilitation services, community intervention and support systems to tackle Zimbabwe’s growing drug and substance abuse crisis among young people.

Held under the theme “Together We Rise, United We Heal,” the initiative sought to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse while encouraging affected individuals to seek help and communities to play a more active role in prevention and recovery efforts.

Organisers said the walkathon was designed not only to draw attention to the scale of the problem but also to spark conversations around rehabilitation, mental health support and the need for accessible treatment services across the country.

Participants traversed towns and rural communities along the route, holding awareness meetings, counselling sessions and advocacy activities aimed at educating young people and families about the risks associated with substance abuse and the importance of early intervention.

The walkathon, organised by Heal Us Zimbabwe in partnership with NetOne, ended at Africa Unity Square in Harare, where government officials, community leaders and anti-drug campaigners pledged to strengthen efforts to prevent substance abuse and support rehabilitation programmes.

Representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Margaret Nyakujara said the initiative complemented Government efforts to protect young people from drug abuse.

“This campaign shows what partnerships can achieve in protecting our youth and building healthier communities,” she said.

For organisers and participants, the journey reinforced the reality that drug and substance abuse is no longer confined to Zimbabwe’s major cities but is increasingly affecting communities across the country.

Heal Us Zimbabwe member Terrence Shenje, who took part in the walk, said the campaign exposed the extent of the challenge, particularly in areas where rehabilitation facilities remain scarce.

“The problem is everywhere, including rural communities where rehabilitation services are limited. People need support and guidance because drugs are never the solution,” he said.

Heal Us Zimbabwe Programmes Director Elton Ziki said the organisation would continue championing prevention, awareness campaigns and rehabilitation initiatives beyond the walkathon.

“We want young people to speak openly about drug abuse and encourage those affected to seek help,” he said.

NetOne Public Relations Officer Thamsanqa Luphahla said the telecommunications company partnered with the initiative because drug and substance abuse continues to affect communities and critical sectors of the economy.

“Drug abuse affects education, health and many other sectors of our economy. As NetOne, we want to ensure our communities are healthy and we will continue supporting initiatives that promote awareness, prevention and rehabilitation,” he said.

Zimbabwe has witnessed growing concern over rising cases of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people, prompting increased calls for investment in rehabilitation centres, community support programmes and preventative education.

Organisers said the walkathon was intended to demonstrate that addressing the crisis requires a collective response involving government, the private sector, communities and young people themselves.

As the walkers crossed the finish line in Harare, the message remained clear: awareness alone is not enough without rehabilitation services, community support and sustained action to help those struggling with addiction rebuild their lives.

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The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has launched an awareness campaign targeting content creators, social media influencers, celebrities and bloggers amid growing concern over the illegal promotion of medicines on digital platforms.

MCAZ Public Relations and Communications Manager Davidson Kaiyo said the regulator had observed an increase in social media personalities advertising medicines without understanding the legal requirements governing such promotions.

He said influencers had become powerful voices in shaping public health decisions, influencing where people buy medicines and the treatments they choose.

“We have seen the proliferation of illegal advertisements of medicines on social media, mostly through influencers, celebrities and bloggers. They now carry significant influence in public health communication because they can affect how people use medicines, where they obtain them and what medicines they choose,” Kaiyo said.

Kaiyo said many influencers were unaware that the advertising of medicines is regulated under Zimbabwe’s Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act and its accompanying regulations.

“The advertising of medicines is governed by law. Most social media influencers are not aware of the legislation regulating these advertisements,” he said.

Rather than immediately pursuing legal action against those violating the law, MCAZ opted to engage content creators through dialogue and education.

“We realised that instead of going after them for prosecution, it would be more effective to engage them and raise awareness so they understand what is permitted under the law and what is not,” Kaiyo said.

He said the engagement brought together content creators and social media practitioners to discuss responsible advertising practices with the regulator.

Kaiyo described the discussions as productive, expressing hope that they would improve compliance with advertising regulations and strengthen efforts to protect public health.

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Comedian and social media personality Theophilus Gabriel Chigumira, popularly known as Mai Clifford has been fined US$200 or the ZiG equivalent and banned from driving for six months after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Chigumira, (30) of Vahombe Estate, Madokero was arrested after he was found driving under the influence of alcohol at the Newlands Roundabout along ED Mnangagwa Road in Harare on July 11.

The NPAZ said an alcohol test revealed that Chigumira had an alcohol concentration of 160mg per 100ml, which is more than three times Zimbabwe’s prescribed legal limit.

“He was subsequently charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol,” said NPAZ.

The Harare Magistrates’ Court fined Chigumira US$200 or the ZiG equivalent, payable on or before July 30 and prohibited him from driving for six months.

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Music offers the perfect metaphor: every chart-topper may have a brilliant lead voice, but it soars only because of the instruments, men and women behind it.

At WestProp, Ken Sharpe is the maestro, orchestrating a bold vision for Zimbabwe: communities where people live, work, shop, and play, built on the audacious goal of laying one billion bricks by 2050. Yet even the grandest symphony needs a conductor to bring the score to life.

That is where Mandla Ndebele, Chief Projects Officer, takes the stage. If Sharpe is the composer, Ndebele is the master arranger. The strategist who transforms vision into reality, ensuring every brick laid resonates with purpose and progress.

Ndebele thrives where the dust rises. His stage is the construction site, his instruments are logistics, engineering oversight, and supply chains.

Every brick laid in Pomona City, every tower rising at Millennium Heights, every road paved toward The Hills Luxury Lifestyle Estate carries his imprint.

He is the steady hand that keeps the rhythm, ensuring WestProp’s projects meet global standards and land on time.

For years, Mandla Ndebele has showcased his talent in Harare, helping turn the “Dubai in Harare” vision into reality.

Today, he carries an even greater challenge. The audacious task of extending that vision across Zimbabwe, transforming it into a nationwide blueprint for modern urban living.

What makes Ndebele stand out is not ego but harmony.

He does not seek to rewrite the melody. He perfects it.

His brilliance lies in execution, in supporting the vision and empowering the team around him.

For him, success is collective: the engineers, contractors, and executives all playing their part in WestProp’s corporate symphony.

In his own words he says: “I am a team player.

I wait for my turn and execute as per instruction of the maestro”.

Together, Sharpe and Ndebele prove that building a future-proof Zimbabwe is not a solo act.

It is a tightly choreographed performance. Vision and execution in perfect sync. And with Ndebele conducting on the ground, the music never misses a beat.

“I am responsible for project strategy, planning, procurement, construction delivery, compliance, and stakeholder engagement across a multi-billion-dollar development portfolio,” he says with the confidence of team player in tune.

His expertise covers the full project lifecycle, from land acquisition and master planning through financing, execution, regulatory compliance, and operational handover. Ndebele

“My passion resides in sustainable urban growth, affordable housing delivery, infrastructure-led development, and the transformation of African cities through innovative real estate solutions”.

Ndebele is particularly interested in leveraging technology, artificial intelligence, and modern construction methodologies to improve project efficiency and unlock new opportunities within the built environment.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he actively contributes to discussions on property investment, urban planning, housing delivery, infrastructure development, and economic growth.

His leadership philosophy is centered on execution excellence, long-term value creation, and building developments that positively impact communities and future generations.

Ndebele’s contribution has not gone unnoticed by WestProp’s “band leader,” chief executive Mr Sharpe, who describes him as one of the company’s greatest assets.

“Behind every vision and every success is a strong team. It is never about the individual. It is always about the team that supports the leader. Mandla has grown enormously
over the years, and what I admire most is his loyalty. He puts the company first, and his efforts always exceed his capacity.”

“If he feels he is lacking in one area, he pushes harder. That is what makes him a fighter. He never says no to a challenge. He is the kind of person you can rely on.”

Mr Sharpe says Mandla has been instrumental in delivering “our customer‑centric vision. He goes beyond what the customer expects and follows through on projects from conception to execution. His skills shine not only at the front face of the organisation but also in the back office, where he has worked with me to shape the future vision and pipeline of what is to come.”

Yet Ndebele’s impact extends beyond the frontlines.

His influence is equally felt in the back office, where he collaborates with Sharpe to shape the company’s future pipeline and strategic vision.

“His skills shine not only at the front face of the organisation but also in the planning side, where he has worked with me to develop the future vision of what is to come,” Sharpe adds.

In the grand orchestra of WestProp, Ndebele plays both the bold soloist and the steady rhythm section—driving execution while harmonising with leadership to compose the company’s next chapter.

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The state-owned telecommunications company which is celebrating its Pearl Anniversary says its transformation reflects Zimbabwe’s broader digital evolution from basic voice communication to high-speed mobile broadband, cloud services and emerging 5G technology.

Once weighed down by financial losses and ageing infrastructure, NetOne has undergone a dramatic turnaround under Chief Executive Officer Engineer Raphael Mushanawani.When he assumed leadership about five years ago, the company was technically insolvent, grappling with legacy systems, governance challenges and declining market confidence.

Audited accounts recorded substantial losses including US$40 million in 2022 while customers increasingly migrated to rival operators.

However, speaking at the company’s recent Annual General Meeting, Mushanawani said NetOne had returned to growth despite operating in a challenging economic environment.

The company reported a 62% increase in annual revenue and a 68% rise in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) with mobile data revenue more than doubling by 110%.

The growth, he said reflected changing consumer demand as Zimbabweans increasingly rely on digital platforms for education, business, entertainment and communication.

“We want to be the number one network. We are seeing ourselves being a US$1 billion company within the next five years,” Mushanawani said.

NetOne says it expects revenue to continue rising having grown from a projected US$160 million in 2024 to US$210 million in 2025.

To support that ambition, the company has accelerated network expansion, deploying 86 new base stations over the past year including hundreds of 4G LTE installations and new 5G sites.

The investment has strengthened coverage in underserved areas while laying the groundwork for future technologies such as the Internet of Things, smart agriculture and digital industries.

NetOne now accounts for more than 46% of Zimbabwe’s rural mobile base stations making it one of the country’s largest contributors to rural digital infrastructure.

The company says expanding connectivity in remote communities has helped improve access to education, healthcare, financial services and digital commerce.

Beyond telecommunications, NetOne has increasingly positioned itself as a technology partner supporting national development.
One of its flagship initiatives is the OneHealth Telehealth Programme, launched in partnership with the Office of the First Lady to improve access to healthcare in rural communities.

In October 2025, the company opened a virtual telemedicine hospital in Ntunungwe, Matabeleland South, allowing patients to consult doctors remotely through digital health technology.

“This Virtual Telemedicine Hospital is not just a booth—it is a hospital without walls; a medical bridge between Ntunungwe and the rest of Zimbabwe,” Mushanawani said at the launch.

“For many years, communities like Ntunungwe have faced challenges in accessing healthcare… But today, we stand together to say: help has come home.”

The company says it has since established more than 20 telehealth centres across Zimbabwe, with further expansion planned.

NetOne has also diversified into digital solutions for agriculture and mining providing mobile weather information, digital mapping and electronic claim management tools while partnering with government to improve digital skills among young Zimbabweans.

“Technology is now the new pickaxe,” Mushanawani said describing digital innovation as a pathway to new economic opportunities.

Corporate social responsibility has also become a key part of NetOne’s strategy.

The company has invested in computer laboratories, school infrastructure, solar energy projects, nutritional gardens, programmes supporting people with albinism and anti-drug awareness campaigns.

One of its largest recent interventions was the refurbishment of Mtetengwe Primary School in Beitbridge where it renovated classrooms, installed a solar-powered computer laboratory, drilled a borehole and established a nutritional garden.

Mushanawani said the interventions were intended to deliver lasting benefits rather than symbolic gestures.

“They are not symbolic—they are substantive,” he said.

His leadership has earned national recognition including the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award and the Overall Platinum Winner accolade at the Zimbabwe CEOs Network Awards.

Accepting one of the honours, Mushanawani said the achievements reflected the collective efforts of employees and stakeholders.

“I receive this recognition with humility, gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. While the award bears my name, it is a reflection of the collective efforts of the NetOne family, our Board of Directors, our valued customers and all stakeholders who continue to believe in our vision,” he said.

As NetOne marks three decades in operation, the company says its focus has shifted beyond connecting people to creating a digital ecosystem capable of supporting Zimbabwe’s long-term economic transformation.

“The first thirty years were about connecting Zimbabwe. The next thirty years will be about empowering Zimbabwe to thrive in the digital age,” the company said.

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