By Staff Reporter
HARARE – Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda is set to grace the
2026 Buy Local Conference as guest of honour, an event aimed at promoting locally
manufactured goods and reducing the country’s import bill.
The conference, organized by Buy Zimbabwe, will be held on March 27, 2026, at Manna Resorts
in Glen Lorne, Harare, under the theme “Lowering Zimbabwe’s Import Bill – Driving Local
Industrial Growth”.
In a statement, Buy Zimbabwe said preparations for the annual event were at an advanced stage,
with several partners already on board.
The conference seeks to foster a culture of buying Zimbabwean-made products and services,
thereby supporting employment creation and the growth of local industry.
Buy Zimbabwe Marketing and Sales Executive Mr Alois Burutsa highlighted the strategic value
of having the Speaker at the event.
“We are honoured to have Advocate Mudenda as our keynote speaker at the upcoming Buy
Local Conference. As the leader of the legislative arm of government, we are certain Advocate
Mudenda’s presence will make a positive contribution to our efforts to promote local industry.
“His presence at the conference highlights the critical role that government plays in supporting
local industries. We believe that by working together, we can create a sustainable economic
environment that benefits all Zimbabweans,” he added.
The conference will feature panel discussions and networking opportunities aimed at addressing
challenges impeding local economic growth. Delegates will also have the chance to engage with
exhibitors showcasing a range of Zimbabwean goods.
A number of large corporates and small to medium enterprises have already confirmed
participation, with more expected to join as the event draws closer.
Mudenda to officiate at 2026 Buy Local Conference
Fuel price surge threatens health sector, CWGH warns
By Simon Masore
MASVINGO – The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has warned that the
continued rise in fuel prices is placing immense strain on an already struggling public health
sector, with hospitals and clinics facing increased operational costs, disrupted supply chains, and
reduced access to essential services.
CWGH executive director, in a statement released on March 20, 2026, said Zimbabwe imported
nearly all its fuel from distant countries, and the cascading costs are being felt across the health
system.
“The Public Health Sector is already struggling with a plethora of issues, and not least among
those is inadequate funding, challenges in accessing budgeted funds, and the general high cost of
care. Increased fuel costs will obviously exacerbate these challenges,” said Rusike.
The CWGH highlighted that hospitals and clinics rely heavily on fuel to run generators during
power outages, to operate ambulances, and to transport medicines and medical supplies. With
fuel prices rising, budgets that were already stretched must now be reallocated to cover transport
and energy costs.
“The impact on hospital and clinic budgets is almost immediate. They have to re-jig their
budgets and allocate more towards transport costs and other operational activities that require
fuel such as referrals, running generators, logistics, and outreaches. This means reduced activities
or other areas have to be sacrificed,” said Rusike.
The organization further warned that supply chains would be disrupted, leading to shortages of
essential commodities and further cost escalations.
For health workers, rising transport costs eat into their incomes and deepen demoralization. For
patients, the burden is even heavier and some will be forced to default.
“Patients face increased transport costs, food costs, and cost of care. Out-of-pocket expenditure
on health is already high by World Health Organization standards. This will affect their health-
seeking behavior, leading to defaulting on treatment and possibly resulting in adverse health
outcomes,” he said.
He said even if fuel prices stabilize in the future, the damage may already be done.
“Prices are generally sticky downwards. Even in the event that the oil market stabilizes, the
disruption is causing uncertainty in the market and critical infrastructure is being affected.
Contracts may have to be renegotiated, so people are not likely to see any benefits in the short
term,” he said.
The CWGH also pointed to broader negative effects, including increased inflation and pressure
on health budgets, which would require government to allocate more funds to cover operational
costs.
“Service accessibility will be affected, and the delivery of essential health services is also
affected. Those in low-income population categories are the worst affected,”said Rusike.
The Community Working Group on Health is a national network of civil society and community-
based organizations that work to enhance community participation in health in Zimbabwe.
Zaka plane crash, new details emerge
By Simon Masore
MASVINGO – New details have emerged regarding the tragic plane crash that claimed the life
of a pilot and seriously injured his wife in a mountainous area between Zaka and Bikita districts
on Sunday morning, with witnesses now revealing that the woman attempted to escape using a
parachute moments before impact.
Police have confirmed the incident, which occurred at around 11 AM in Nyoka Village,
approximately 85 kilometres southeast of Masvingo. Investigators from the Civil Aviation
Authority of Zimbabwe have since been dispatched to the scene to establish the cause of the
crash.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms an aircraft crash which occurred on 15th March 2026
at around 1100 hours at Nyoka Village, Zaka, Masvingo Province.
One person was killed while another person was injured when an aircraft carrying two occupants
crashed before being engulfed by fire. The aircraft, which was travelling from Komani
Aerodrome in Mt Hampden, Harare to Chipinda Pools, had reportedly developed a mechanical
fault and began emitting an unusual sound,” reads the police statement.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to TellZim News, the aircraft was mid-air when
something burst, causing it to start swerving and descending rapidly. The pilot desperately tried
to navigate the plane before it ultimately nose-dived and crashed among trees and tall grass and
later caught fire.
Sources identified the two occupants as husband and wife and said moments before the crash, the
woman reportedly attempted to escape the aircraft using a parachute.
However, the parachute became caught in the plane’s wings before tearing apart, causing her to
fall separately from the aircraft which was lowering to the ground.
She crashed to the ground a few metres away from where the plane eventually nose-dived,
breaking both legs in the process.
Villagers who rushed to the scene said they arrived while the wreckage was still burning. They
could see the pilot trapped inside the burning aircraft but were unable to open the doors to rescue
him.
The aircraft later burst into flames again, creating an opening that allowed villagers to finally
access the wreckage.
Using a tree log, the community members managed to pull the pilot’s body from the burning
plane.
Tragically, the pilot was already dead and had been burnt from the waist downwards. Witnesses
described seeing his right leg still trapped inside the aircraft after being badly burnt, while bones
from his left leg were exposed due to the severity of the fire.
Two villagers, Jairos Nyoka and Jeffrey Nyoka, were among those who bravely helped retrieve
the pilot’s body from the burning wreckage.
The injured woman was found screaming in pain, repeatedly asking if her husband, who was
trapped in the plane, was still alive.
Villagers who attended the scene said they tried to ask her what had happened and what the
couple had been doing before the crash.
The injured woman was rushed to hospital, and her current condition remains unknown. Some
locals claimed the couple are believed to be Australians, although authorities had not confirmed
their identities at the time of writing.
Ward 2 Councilor Sarah Mamvura who also visited the crash site corroborated the sources
accounts to TellZim News saying she had face to face interviews with the immediate responders.
Masvingo Province shines in 2026 performance evaluation ceremony
By TellZim Reporter
Masvingo Province emerged as one of the top performers at the 2026 Performance
Evaluation Ceremony held in Harare, scooping five awards across different categories and
reaffirming its growing reputation for strong public sector performance.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Ezra
Chadzamira, was named Best Performing Minister of State for the second consecutive year,
highlighting the province’s continued progress in implementing government programmes.
Masvingo also celebrated another repeat achievement after Provincial Affairs and Devolution
Permanent Secretary, Addmore Pazvakavambwa, was once again recognized as the Best
Performing Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
At local government level, Masvingo City and Ward 4 councillor Alec Tabe, received the
First Runner-Up award in the Mayor/Council Chairperson category for urban local
authorities.
In the rural local authority category, Chivi Rural District Council earned recognition after its
Chief Executive Officer was named runner up in the Best Performing Rural District Council
CEO category.
Meanwhile, Chiredzi Town Council was ranked the third best-performing urban council.
In other categories announced during the ceremony, Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Minister Barbara Rwodzi was named Best Performing Cabinet Minister, while Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development,
Prof Dr Obert Jiri won the Best Performing Permanent Secretary award.
Manicaland Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck
Mugadza, was named the second-best performing Minister of State.
GZU Law School empowers Bikita community on Environmental Laws
BIKITA – Students from the Environmental and Mining Law Unit recently visited Chief Marozva in Bikita for a two-day community engagement and legal awareness programme aimed at educating residents about environmental protection and mining laws.
The programme, held from March 11-12, was organised by the Environmental and Mining Law Unit in partnership with the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Organisation (ZELO).
The initiative aimed to empower local communities with legal information that can help them understand and respond to environmental challenges linked to mining activities.
The delegation included ten law students, led by Executive Dean Mr Maphosa, together with law school librarian Mr Mafuta and environmental law lecturers Miss Masiya and Mrs Ndlovu.
The team met with Chief Marozva and his headmen to discuss environmental concerns affecting the community, including water pollution and land degradation caused by mining.
During the engagement, the students and lecturers held legal awareness sessions to help residents understand their rights and responsibilities under environmental and mining laws.
Community members were encouraged to report environmental damage and to make use of legal support structures available to them.
The Environmental and Mining Law Unit also explained its role in providing legal education and assisting communities to better understand environmental justice.
On the second day, the delegation attended a guest lecture hosted by the law school legal aid clinics at Great Zimbabwe University.
The lecture brought together legal and environmental experts to discuss environmental law, mining regulation, human rights and access to free legal aid.
The session featured Mr Mtisi, Deputy Director of ZELO, as well as representatives from the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Speakers highlighted the importance of protecting natural resources while ensuring that communities benefit from legal knowledge and support.
Organisers said programmes like this help strengthen the relationship between universities and communities while promoting environmental justice in mining areas.
They recommended more awareness campaigns and continued collaboration to support sustainable development.
Drug traffickers arrested with 200kg of mbanje disguised as blankets
By Ndinatsei Mavodza
MASVINGO – Eleven suspected drug traffickers were arrested on March 10 after police
intercepted a load of about 200 kilogrammes of dagga that had been disguised to look like
blankets in an attempt to avoid detection.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident in an X post and said the
suspects who are both men and women were travelling from Beitbridge when they were
stopped during a police operation.
The dagga had been carefully wrapped and packaged in a way that made it resemble blankets,
a tactic believed to have been meant to avoid suspicion during transportation.
During the operation, officers also recovered unregistered medicines that were found in the
suspects’ possession.
The 11 suspects were arrested at the scene and are expected to appear in court facing charges
related to the illegal possession and trafficking of drugs.
Police say investigations are still ongoing to determine whether other people could be linked
to the trafficking syndicate.
In a statement, ZRP warned that the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse
remains a top priority.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against
drug trafficking and substance abuse. All individuals involved in the illegal production,
transportation and distribution of drugs will be arrested and taken to court,” the police said.
Drug trafficking cases have been rising across the country and border towns such as
Beitbridge are often used as entry points for drugs being moved into Zimbabwe.
Police have urged members of the public to report drug dealers and suspicious activities in
their communities to help reduce the spread of illegal drugs.
ZANU PF Masvingo pledges unwavering support for third amendment bill
By Ndinatsei Mavodza
MASVINGO – The ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Executive Committee (PCC) has thrown its weight behind the Third Amendment Bill, which seeks to extend the presidential term limit by two years, during a meeting held on March 12, 2026.
Addressing a gathering that included visiting ZANU PF Politburo members, Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa expressed the province’s firm commitment to the proposed constitutional amendment.
The provincial leadership was appearing before the top brass, which included Secretary General Jacob Mudenda, Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa, and Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke, Secretary for Legal Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi and secretary for commissariat Munyaradzi Machacha.
“As Masvingo, we are behind conference resolution number one and the Amendment Bill number three. We had our PCC and conducted inter-district meetings, educating people about the bill, and we are in the process of going down to all our 630 party districts, similar to what we did after conference when we went to the districts informing them about resolution number one,” said Mavhenyengwa.
He emphasized the importance of grassroots mobilization, noting that stopping at inter-district level risked leaving some communities uninformed and said they were having meeting at every level to make sure that all members are informed.
“We realised that if we stop at inter-district, some chairpersons will not cascade down our message to the people on the grassroots, so we are going down there as leadership to make sure that everyone is aware of what we are doing” Mavhenyengwa added.
Mavhenyengwa said Masvingo was fully prepared for the public consultations on the bill, which are set to be conducted by Parliament.
“We have seven centres established in Masvingo where consultations for Amendment Number 3 Bill will be done. So we are ready to defend the party and government position,” said Mavhenyengwa.
In his address, Secretary General Jacob Mudenda clarified the meaning behind the party’s 2030 slogan, explaining that it carried dual significance.
“The 2030 slogan means two things, making Zimbabwe an upper middle income economy by 2030, as well as extending the presidential term. People should not just make slogans without understanding what they mean,” said Mudenda.
Mudenda also issued a stern warning against factionalism, urging party members to rally behind established leadership structures. He emphasized that the Provincial Chairperson remains in position until the next election, likely after 2030, and called on all members to support him rather than creating parallel structures.
He further warned against regionalism, reminding party members of the liberation struggle’s unifying spirit.
“During the war, people were united for a common goal to liberate Zimbabwe, despite tribe or region,” he said.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, seeks to introduce significant changes to the country’s supreme law. Among its key provisions is the extension of the presidential and parliamentary terms of office from five to seven years .
The bill also proposes replacing the current system of directly electing the President through a public vote with a parliamentary process, where Members of Parliament and Senators sitting jointly would elect the President.
Other proposed changes include the establishment of a separate Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission to handle the delimitation of electoral boundaries, transferring voter registration functions from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General’s Office, and expanding the Senate from 80 to 90 members through the addition of 10 presidential appointees. The bill also seeks to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and transfer its functions to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
However, the bill has attracted criticism from some quarters. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has expressed concern that the amendments threaten to erode constitutionalism and concentrate excessive power in the executive.
The bill is currently undergoing a 90-day public consultation process before it proceeds to parliamentary debate.
Mudenda bemoans untapped potential of Tugwi Mukosi
By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – Zanu PF Secretary General and Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda
has expressed concern over the lack of progress in utilising Tugwi Mukosi, the country’s largest
inland water body.
Mudenda was speaking at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at
Great Zimbabwe University’s R.G. Mugabe School of Education when he challenged the party’s
provincial leadership to take an active role in overseeing government programmes.
“How many years are there after the completion of the dam? There is water and there is land
there; a lot of development can be done there. We should see a number of projects we can have
fishing projects, irrigation, and other tourist attractions and resorts,” said Mudenda
He said it was the party provincial leadership to monitor progress there and government
departments should report to the party on the progress. He however challenged them to go there
and see what was
“You as the party leadership, have you sat down with the minister of state to tell you if there is
any irrigation taking place there? Do you know what is happening there? You don’t, because you
have never been there. You have to go and see for yourself as PCC,” said Mudenda.
Mudenda said the President could not be everywhere, and it was the duty of the provincial
executive to ensure that they work towards fulfilling the President’s vision.
“The President cannot be everywhere. The President finished his job; we now have the dam, and
it is now your duty to make sure that there is progress. The party is supreme over the
government, so the minister has to report to you every three months,” said Mudenda.
He urged the leadership to empower themselves rather than merely boasting about holding party
positions without tangible achievements to show for them.
“You need to be empowered. Do you have plots at Tugwi Mukosi, and don’t you want them?
Have you lined up your people who will benefit from the plots? Who stopped you? With the
potential of development there, we could have a good road, an aerodrome for tourist to use when
they come to play in the water then we get money.
You should be empowered. You cannot talk of eradicating poverty when you are carrying
poverty on your backs. You can’t just be boasting that you hold such a position in the party when
you have nothing to show for it,” said Mudenda.
Mudenda challenged the provincial leadership to take responsibility for monitoring and
recommending development initiatives.
The meeting was attended by other Zanu PF heavyweights including national commissariat
secretary Munyaradzi Machacha, secretary for legal affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, secretary for security Lovemore Matuke, and party treasurer general Patrick Chinamasa.
Masvingo records 11 human rights violations in February, but concerns persist
By TellZim Reporter
Masvingo province recorded 11 human rights violations in February 2026, marking a notable
decline from previous months when it consistently ranked among the highest in the country.
However, recent findings show that serious concerns remain around access to basic
services, political interference, and media freedom.
According to the February 2026 report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), a total of 105
human rights violations were recorded nationwide, affecting 3,205 victims. Of these, 1,651
were women including 24 women with disabilities while 1,554 were men, including 14 men
with disabilities.
In Masvingo, the reported violations point to ongoing challenges in socio-economic rights,
political discrimination, and restrictions on press freedom.
“One of the most serious violations relates to the denial of the right to healthcare,” reads part
of the report. “Gawa Clinic operated for nearly a month without basic medication such as
painkillers, forcing patients, including children, to travel about eight kilometres to Mashoko
Hospital and incur unaffordable medical and transport costs,” reads part of the report.
The report also highlights the continued politicisation of food aid and social welfare
programmes across the province.
“Several cases reflected politicisation and discrimination in the distribution of food aid and
social welfare assistance, where beneficiaries were excluded or intimidated based on
perceived political affiliation or local disputes, such as in Zaka Central and Mwenezi East,”
reads the report.
In Chiredzi East, community members were reportedly pressured to contribute funds
towards refurbishing a police base, while drought relief distributions were accompanied by
messaging encouraging support for the 2030 political agenda.
Media freedoms were also affected after two journalists from a local media house were
barred by police from covering the installation ceremony of Chief Chikwanda, with access
granted only to the state broadcaster.
Overall, the violations point to a broader pattern of political interference in humanitarian
assistance, shrinking civic space, and persistent barriers to essential public services.
The report attributes most violations to state-linked actors. The Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) accounted for 21.12% of cases, while ZANU PF members were responsible for
35.46%, mainly through political intimidation, coercion, and interference with freedoms of
assembly, association, and expression.
Local councils accounted for 15.14% of violations, while school authorities contributed
11.55%, often exerting control over civic and community spaces. Traditional leaders made
up 6.37% of perpetrators, with other government officials and suspected state agents each
accounting for 3.59%. The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) accounted for 1.20%, while
1.99% of perpetrators had no known affiliation.
Nationally, Harare recorded the highest number of violations at 30 cases, followed by
Manicaland (17) and Matabeleland North (16). Mashonaland East recorded eight cases,
Mashonaland West seven, and Mashonaland Central six, while Bulawayo and Midlands
recorded four cases each.
Masvingo Dams reach full capacity as national average hits 91.7%
By Karen Sibanda
Masvingo Province’s major dams are sitting at impressive levels following consistent rains
received across the country, with the national dam level average now standing at 91.7percent as of 4
March 2026.
According to the latest update from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Tugwi-
Mukosi Dam and Lake Mutirikwi are both now at 100percent capacity, marking a major boost for
water security in the Province.
The full capacity of Tugwi-Mukosi, Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam, is expected to strengthen
irrigation activities in the Lowveld, particularly for sugarcane estates in Chiredzi and
surrounding farming areas. It also improves prospects for fisheries, tourism and other
downstream economic activities.
The second largest, Lake Mutirikwi, which supplies water to Masvingo City, generate power and
supports irrigation schemes, reaching 100percent capacity ensures stable domestic water supplies for
residents and industries.
The development also brings relief to farmers who rely on the dam for winter wheat production
and other irrigation-based crops.
Other dams in the province have also recorded strong levels. Manjirenji Dam is at 92.8percent, while
Manyuchi Dam stands at 99.5percent, further strengthening agricultural and rural water supply
prospects.
The high dam levels are expected to improve agricultural productivity, enhance livestock water
availability and reduce the risk of water shortages in both urban and rural communities.
However, authorities are likely to remain alert to manage potential spillages and downstream
flooding risks.With the national average at 91.7percent, Masvingo Province is well positioned for a
productive season backed by strong water reserves.