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  • Manicaland’s Infrastructure Drive Gains Traction

    THE long-awaited Christmas Pass Bypass Road project as well as other road upgrading projects in Manicaland province, have finally broken ground, with Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona applauding the progress made so far.

    Minister Mhona stressed that Government remains dedicated to deliver modern and durable infrastructure in the province, and across the country.

    Minister Mhona toured the construction site last week, where he witnessed first-hand the project’s transformation from a long-standing promise to an active construction reality.

    Earthworks are already underway, serving as a tangible testament to Government’s commitment to the project. This development is a significant milestone for the province, as the Christmas Pass Bypass Road seeks to address the persistent safety concerns and traffic congestion associated with the existing, and meandering route — and eventually enhance road safety and facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people in the province.

    The project’s scope includes the construction of three modern traffic interchanges, modelled after the Trabablas Interchange in Harare, at both ends of the 31,2km bypass road. The construction is being undertaken by Leengate Private Limited, with an expected completion timeline of a year, and a project value of US$99 million.
    In addition to the bypass road, the project also encompasses the rehabilitation of the Sakubva (Murahwa) People’s Green Market Bridge, which has been in a state of disrepair for an extended period.

    “The Christmas Pass Bypass Road has been long overdue, but we are now witnessing tangible progress. We have transitioned from planning to action, with construction underway on the 31,2km bypass road, which will feature three interchanges. I am pleased to report that the project is on track to meet its deadline, with contractors committing to deliver the road within a year,” said Minister Mhona.

    Minister Mhona explained that the contractors have assured Government that the road will be completed and handed over within 13 months.
    The bypass is expected to significantly alleviate congestion at the notorious Christmas Pass section along the Harare-Mutare Highway, where motorists have long suffered delays due to steep gradients, heavy traffic, and accident risks.

    Minister Mhona said the road’s progress is a testament to the Second Republic’s commitment to modernising national infrastructure under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.

    He reiterated Government’s determination to ensure that all road projects nationwide adhere to the highest standards of quality.

    “As a ministry, we are witnessing widespread rehabilitation projects in Mutare and beyond. This progress is a result of collective effort, and I would like to extend my gratitude to His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, for allocating the necessary resources,” said Minister Mhona.

    He highlighted a significant shift in Government’s approach to project funding, abandoning the previous practice of releasing funds upfront.

    “Under the new system, payments are only made upon satisfactory completion of work. We have stationed resident engineers at every site to monitor progress and quality, ensuring that subpar work is a thing of the past,” said Minister Mhona.

    In addition to the bypass road, Minister Mhona revealed that the expansion of Forbes Border Post is also a top priority for Government. Feasibility studies have been completed, and major construction work is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2026.

    “Forbes Border Post has long been a bottleneck due to its narrow infrastructure, struggling to cope with increasing traffic volume.
    We are committed to widening and modernising the facility to facilitate seamless movement of goods and people, transforming it into a world-class border post and boosting trade in the province,” said Minister Mhona.

    Addressing another congestion hotspot, Minister Mhona said Government is also tackling the bottleneck at the bridge near the flyover along the Mutare-Chimanimani Highway.

    “The stretch has been problematic for years, with the road narrowing at the bridge, causing unnecessary delays. To address this, we are installing a temporary bridge to ensure smooth four-lane traffic flow while we work on a permanent solution. This is part of our broader commitment to enhancing connectivity and ease of movement within the city,” he said.

    In other developments proving that Government is walking the talk in the inclusive development agenda, contractors now on site to commence surfacing the Odzi-Marange, Headlands-Chiendambuya and Nyabadza-Odzi roads.

    Minister Mhona emphasised that these projects are integral to a comprehensive infrastructure development masterplan, designed to position Zimbabwe as a competitive economy.

    In an interview on the sidelines of the tour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza hailed the Christmas Pass Bypass project as a long-awaited solution to one of Mutare’s most pressing transport challenges.

    “The Christmas Pass road has been a persistent problem for us in Mutare. We are thrilled that the bypass road project is now underway, featuring interchanges that will greatly improve traffic flow,” said Minister Mugadza.

    He also welcomed Government’s intervention at the Mutare-Chimanimani bridge, acknowledging the daily congestion struggles faced by motorists. “Traffic would often pile up at the bridge due to the narrow road, causing unnecessary delays. The Minister’s assurance that a temporary bridge will be constructed to facilitate four-lane traffic flow is indeed welcome news,” said Minister Mugadza.

    Both Ministers concurred that the projects would have far-reaching benefits, enhancing the lives of road users in Manicaland while strengthening provincial trade and transport systems.
    They emphasized that the roadworks are integral to Government’s broader strategy under Vision 2030, aimed at modernising infrastructure, stimulating economic growth, and creating a safer, more efficient transport network.—Manica Post

  • Underperforming Road Firms Face Contract Axe

    The Government has warned that it will not hesitate to cancel contracts for slackening road contractors who are failing to deliver.

    In a recent question and answer session in Parliament, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said Government is in the process of cancelling contracts for companies that have failed to deliver in the ongoing road rehabilitation programme.

    “As I am speaking, we are cancelling such contracts, contracts of those who have failed to deliver, then we will go back to the tender process,” he said.

    “If there is a road which relates to what I have just alluded to, then we are going to be removing such contractors and replacing them.”

    Minister Mhona said unlike in the past when contractors used to be paid upfront, currently contractors are receiving payments after satisfactory completion of works.

    “In the Second Republic, we expect a contractor to do his job, then after successful completion, the contractor gets paid.

    “What was happening in the past was that a contractor was paid, then they would do their job. Some, after getting paid, would abscond from their duties. For example, when someone is paid 10 percent of 10 million, it is one million they then spend that money.

    “When someone has been given a tender, they should perform.”

    Minister Mhona said Government policy requires that once awarded a tender, a contractor must commence work within seven working days.

    “Government policy is that when you have been given a contract, you are expected to start the ball rolling within seven days but when we see that you have not started the mobilisation process, we approach you and inform you that you cannot continue with the task,” said Minister Mhona.—Herald

  • Sabhuku Land Deals Leaving Many High And Dry . . . desperation, disregard of law cost families

    WHEN bulldozers rolled into Mushandike, Masvingo province, in early 2024, the life that Esther Mativenga had painstakingly built was reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes.

    “It is like a thief in the night stole everything,” she said, struggling to contain the pain she still endures.

    “This was not just a house; it was our future. We poured everything we had into it, believing sabhuku’s word.”

    Esther’s ordeal is part of a much larger crisis unfolding across Zimbabwe, where illegal land allocations by some traditional leaders — known locally as sabhukus — are leaving families uprooted, penniless and homeless.

    While the Mushandike incident grabbed headlines, similar tragedies are being reported throughout the country.

    In Domboshava, settlements sprout overnight, only to be declared illegal months later.

    It is the same case in Seke, where buyers discover too late that the letters of allocation they received are worthless.

    In Kadoma, Chimanimani, Chihota and Gokwe, the same pattern repeats itself.

    Most often, the land is sold under the guise of custom in transactions that are not recognised by the law.

    Communities in the Matabeleland region are not spared too.

    Villagers in Matobo and Lupane recount how plots were parcelled out by sabhukus without the approval of rural district councils (RDCs).

    In Nkayi and Bulilima, desperate land seekers paid hefty fees, only to later realise that their landholdings had no legal standing.

    From Chiredzi to Hwange, the evidence is clear: Sabhuku land deals are not isolated scams but a nationwide phenomenon destabilising families and entire communities.

    The headlines may speak of demolitions and arrests, but behind each case are distraught victims.

    John Mbava, a carpenter in Mushandike, had just completed a four-room home for his family when it was demolished.

    “They took away more than bricks and mortar. They took away our hope,” he said.

    Just outside Harare, 49-year-old Jotamu Ruwona was charged around US$3 000 per hectare by his sabhuku in Seke.

    Only later did he learn the allocation was fraudulent, with proceeds allegedly shared among officials as kickbacks.

    His family has been left in limbo, unsure whether to abandon their investment or fight for recognition.

    These stories, though separated by geography, have a common theme of ordinary Zimbabweans desperate for land and paying the price for deals that are legally void from the outset.

    It has now become common to witness upmarket houses tucked haphazardly among village thatched huts, creating a pattern that indicates poor planning.

    Legal and planning experts argue this transformation stems from a thriving illegal land market that flourishes due to cheap prices and ease of purchase. Areas mostly affected are those surrounding Harare.

    The law

    Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka has since clarified the issue.

    “Once again, may I remind the public that, in terms of the Gazetted Lands (Consequential Provisions) Act (Chapter 20:28), it is a crime to occupy rural State land without authority. All illegal occupiers of such land should immediately vacate rural State land. Failure to vacate may result in prosecution,” he said in a recent statement.

    His counterpart, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, also shared the Government’s position.

    “In Zimbabwe, chiefs should follow the Customary Law and Local Courts Act, the Communal Lands Act and the Constitution of the country. The chief should ensure that land is preserved; no land should be sold through sabhuku deals,” he said.

    However, despite these clear directives, gaps in enforcement and limited awareness have allowed sabhukus to exploit the system.

    Many issue letters on paper that bear signatures and stamps mimicking official RDC letterheads, giving a false veneer of legitimacy.

    Similarly, there are reports that some parties do not enter into written agreements, even though they pay the required money to the seller.

    Miriam Tose Majome, a lawyer and commissioner with the Zimbabwe Media Commission, argued in a contribution to one of our sister papers that “No title deeds or valid cessions are possible since all transactions violate the Communal Lands Act, which restricts communal land to kinship-based allocation.

    “Under Section 8, communal land cannot be sold and occupancy rights cannot be ceded without proper authority . . . Section 3 vests communal land in the President, while Section 8 prohibits sales and unauthorised transfers.

    “Only the rural district council, after consultation with traditional leaders, can allocate land rights. Chiefs and headmen lack authority to authorise land sales, though they may facilitate proper allocation procedures.”

    Alarming cases

    Between January and mid-February 2024, Operation “No to Land Barons and Illegal Settlements” resulted in 3 775 arrests, of which 985 people were convicted, while the remaining cases are before the courts.

    Some of those arrested were sabhukus themselves; others were land barons and illegal settlers.

    In Kadoma, for example, Sabhuku Ignatius Tazvivinga, under Chief Mupamombe, faces fraud charges for allegedly selling land owned by the Kadoma City Council.

    He reportedly collected around US$250 per buyer using forged affidavits to purportedly legitimise the sales.

    The prosecutions are just a tip of the iceberg.

    The demand for land continues to outstrip supply, particularly around growth points and peri-urban settlements, creating fertile ground for unscrupulous actors.

    For most victims, the decision to buy through a sabhuku is born not out of ignorance but desperation. Urban land is scarce and formal allocation processes are often lengthy and bureaucratic. Buyers, eager to secure a place to call their own, pay money upfront — sometimes labelled as “development levies” or “community contributions” — without realising that the sabhuku has no authority to sell.

    Some sabhukus invoke customary rights, claiming traditional ownership of the land.

    While customary law has an important place in local governance, it cannot override statutory provisions, leaving those who rely on it exposed to eviction.

    Roots/Effects

    The problem is compounded by the absence of digitised, up-to-date land records in many wards. This creates opportunities for the same plot to be sold multiple times, while delayed Government verification allows illegal transactions to flourish before intervention.

    The consequences ripple far beyond the individuals directly affected.

    Families like Esther’s and John’s are left without homes, livelihoods or security.

    Children are uprooted from schools. Farmers lose access to arable land, undercutting local food production.

    “Rather than continued prohibition without enforcement, Zimbabwe needs legislative reform to amend communal land legislation to create regulated markets that protect traditional rights while allowing controlled transfers,” Majome urges.

    “There should be regularisation programmes and policies that develop mechanisms to legitimise existing settlements through proper planning and infrastructure provision,” she continues, also calling for institutional coordination to strengthen partnerships between rural district councils, traditional leaders and the Central Government to manage land allocation transparently.

    Community education through deploying paralegals and extension officers to educate communities about legal implications before transactions occur, she adds, should be fostered.

    “Alternative land delivery accelerates formal residential land systems and reduces pressure on communal areas,” notes Majome.

    Professor Samuel Nyathi, a rural development expert, said this phenomenon has the adverse effect of eroding trust in national institutions.

    “The socio-economic fallout extends beyond immediate families, destabilising entire communities and eroding trust in both traditional and Government institutions,” he said.

    Economists warn that the effects are systemic.

    Dr Lucia Moyo, a development economist, adds: “Access to land is central to livelihoods. When people lose land unlawfully, the ripple effects touch education, nutrition and employment. Illegal allocations undermine rural development, food security and national growth objectives.”

    In Mushandike, demolitions were preceded by investigations into legitimate ownership, while local councils in other provinces are conducting similar drives.

    Way forward

    Civil society, however, warns against heavy-handed approaches.

    They urge the Government to pursue due process, ensure transparency and consider compensation for affected families — many of whom were victims rather than willing participants in fraud.

    The challenge, therefore, lies in balancing the need for law enforcement with the need to protect vulnerable citizens.

    Thus, addressing sabhuku land deals requires a multi-pronged strategy that goes beyond demolitions and arrests.

    For instance, some call for the need to strengthen enforcement by fast-tracking prosecutions of sabhukus and land barons while also providing clear, accessible information on legal land acquisition to protect would-be buyers.

    At the same time, there is a call to digitise land records and develop modern information systems that allow citizens to easily verify ownership and prevent multiple sales of the same plot.

    Another critical step is raising public awareness through nationwide campaigns on radio, in newspapers and via community meetings to warn communities about the dangers of illegal allocations.

    Experts also emphasise the importance of empowering traditional leaders by training sabhukus and chiefs on their legal boundaries and responsibilities so that authority is exercised within the law.

    It is also argued that the Government must provide alternative land access by expanding affordable and transparent housing schemes, reducing the desperation that drives citizens into the hands of land barons and sabhukus.

    For families like Esther’s, the pain is raw, but the spirit of resilience endures.

    “We may have lost our homes, but we have not lost hope,” she said, standing on the ruins of what once symbolised her family’s security.

    Her story is both a warning and a call to action.

    Unless the authorities close the gaps that allow sabhuku deals to thrive, more families will see their dreams bulldozed before their eyes.

    As the nation pushes towards Vision 2030, ensuring that land remains a source of growth, stability and dignity — not displacement and despair — remains a priority. Zimpapers

  • Harare’s Controversial Cluster Housing Boom Triggers Anger

    MIRIAM MANGWAYA HARARE —HARARE City Council (HCC) is under growing legal pressure over its controversial approval of cluster housing projects, with a series of High Court cases exposing alleged corruption, procedural irregularities, and backdoor land deals in the capital’s upmarket suburbs.

    The local authority is at loggerheads with residents who are rejecting the construction of cluster houses, fearing that the development will transform the once elitist neighbourhoods into densely populated areas, eroding their elite status.

    The projects, which Harare says are under the local authority’s adopted densification policy, are currently underway in posh suburbs like Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Chisipite, Greendale, and Highlands, among others, with massive constructions already in progress. Truth Diggers, an Alpha Media Holdings investigative unit, in partnership with Information for Development Trust, a non-profit organisation supporting investigative reporting, observed that property developments are underway on plots measuring from 2000 square meters.

    Residents have expressed concern about dozens of classified adverts in local newspapers with notices of land acquisitions and construction permits, many of them for high-density housing projects that they claim are in contrast with the area’s low-rise, single-family nature.

    Legal experts say most of the ongoing disputes stem from alleged violations of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), particularly Section 19, which provides for public objections to proposed land developments.

    The section stipulates that local authorities must give reasonable public notice and allow affected residents an opportunity to raise objections before approving land development projects. Residents argue that the Harare City Council and land developers are bypassing these procedures.

    Residents argue that while the development will bring more housing, it also means a significant population increase, yet there is no corresponding plan to improve utilities and infrastructure, such as roads, water, and electricity, which they fear will exacerbate existing challenges and further strain resources.

    Cluster homes under development in Harare’s upmarket suburb of Vainona (Borrowdale West) Newly developed cluster homes in Harare’s leafy suburb of Mount Pleasant Court battles mount over cluster housing and urban development projects.

    The city’s aggressive push for densification and commercial redevelopment has increasingly found itself under legal fire, as residents and take both developers and the Harare City Council to court for allegedly violating planning laws and threatening neighbourhood status. In the latest blow to the city’s urban planning department, High Court Judge Justice Paul Musithu on April 4, 2025 declared unlawful a cluster housing project in Greystone Park, ruling that the developer, Dashway Investments, had commenced construction without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate or Development Permit. The High Court prohibited any further development at Stand 663 Greystone Park Township 8 (7 Sudley Close), citing breaches of planning regulations, following objections by the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA). City of Harare, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the developer Dashway Investments were cited as respondents.

    In another case ongoing case, the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association filed another urgent chamber application at the High Court in June 2024 to stop the construction of cluster flats at Number 949 Sugar Loaf Township, Glen Lorne. The application was filed against businessman Leonard Mukumba, who is reportedly building three blocks of flats designed to house eight families each. BRRA members argued that the project violated the area’s low-density residential zoning and was proceeding without adequate consultation or environmental impact assessments.

    In a separate but related legal challenge, Trauma Centre Hospital, one of Harare’s leading emergency medical institutions, approached the High Court to stop a controversial office park project in Borrowdale, alleging that it endangers public safety and patient well-being. Filed under a certificate of urgency, the application — brought by a medical doctor Vivek Solanki, representing Vislink (Pvt) Ltd, trading as Trauma Centre — and local resident Penelope Beattie challenges a permit issued to Condev Property Developers by the City of Harare’s director of urban planning. Solanki argued that the approved development plans differed from those previously submitted and threaten to deteriorate the residential character of the neighbourhood. “I submit that it is clear from the plan attached to the permit that it differs substantially from the plan approved by the 3rd Respondent on the 7th May 2025,” he said in his founding affidavit. He added: “The Respondents have supplied no proof that the owner of the property, the fourth respondent- Andrew Herbst, has consented to this development as is peremptory in terms of the Planning Act section 26 ( 1). I submit that there is no proof at all of 4th Respondent’s consent and it is clear that it does not exist. I am informed and verily believe that in the circumstances it was rational and grossly unreasonable of the 2nd and 3rd respondents to grant a permit in the circumstances particularly when the application was fatally deficient and non-compliant with the peremptory provisions of the Planning Act. Ignored petitions Dozens of petitions have been submitted to Harare City Council (HCC) challenging illegal cluster developments, but residents say the city has turned a deaf ear, prompting fears of bias and backdoor deals.

    In one of the several petitions, residents of Inverary Road in Pomona submitted a written petition to HCC objecting to the construction of seven duplex cluster units on Stand 104, citing lack of legal notification and procedural irregularities. “None of the neighbours received any formal communication, hence our conclusion that the petition has been issued out irregularly as this step appears to have been overlooked, ”reads the petition, dated January 23, 2025 which was signed by affected homeowners. However, in a response dated 3 February 2025, HCC acting director of urban planning, Samuel Nyabezi, upheld the permit approval. He however made no mention of the required neighbour notifications, nor addressed the residents’ main concerns. This pattern, residents say, was a systematic disregard for due process, where objections are acknowledged only to be dismissed further fuelling suspicions of irregular approvals and policy abuse.

    Letter from Pomona residents to the City of Harare’s Acting Director of Urban Planning, Samuel Nyabezi, protesting an “irregular development permit” for cluster units at Stand 104 Pomona Estate

     

    City of Harare planner Samuel Nyabezi insists the permit for seven duplex cluster units at Lot 104 Pomona Estate was lawfully issued under existing regulations Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association Robert Mutyasira expressd worry over absence of corresponding provision of services to cater for the increased populations in the neighbourhoods. “The issuance of permits to developers is questionable, as evidenced by recent discoveries, some of which have led residents to instruct litigation or lobby for enforcement action,” Mutyasira said. “The recent such action on a property at the intersection of Harare Drive and Leamington Road in Greystone Park, where an industrial structure was illegally constructed to operating level without following due process, has unearthed a disturbing trend of the local authority’s employees who shield illegalities.

    Development Control officers and building inspectors have become a law unto themselves by overriding procedure and exceeding their mandates of duty.”

    No fixed house targets under densification

    In a written response to Truth Diggers, Harare City Council defended the cluster housing boom, claiming it is part of a long-term densification strategy aimed at addressing a 500 000-unit housing shortfall. The local authority acknowledged awarding permits to what it called a “huge list of private players” but refused to grant Truth Diggers access to the registry of approved developers. “Cluster houses are targeting everyone who can afford because they are provided by private players who are into business and investment,” acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo said.

    “There is no specific number of houses targeted because cluster housing development is demand driven. In addition, every property owner enjoys their property ownership, if they decide to apply for cluster houses they can, and if they not willing apply to for cluster houses, we do not force.” The local authority dismissed corruption allegations, insisting that private developers are complementing council efforts. Moyo also admitted receiving complaints from residents, which he described as a mix of “genuine” and “not genuine” concerns, but did not outline any action taken in response. But the council said there is no fixed target for the number of housing units to be built under the densification programme, raising questions about the absence of measurable planning benchmarks or transparency mechanisms. Densification for whom? While city authorities defend the densification programme as a long-term solution to Zimbabwe’s urban housing crisis, aiming to decongest overcrowded high-density suburbs, residents argue the policy has been hijacked by profit-driven developers. Council officials had originally sold the densification blueprint as a social intervention to address housing shortages and provide affordable homes to those on the city’s ballooning waiting list.

    Ongoing construction of a cluster homes in Pomona, Harare In an interview with Truth Diggers, Harare City Council mayor Jacob Mafume defended the densification policy saying it was crucial to address the housing crisis that the city was facing. “This policy for densification requires that we reduce the area sizes of land, which means we encourage the building of flats, encourage the building of cluster homes, and look at space in a less expansive manner,”Mafume said. “Colonial style yards where a person could fill a basketball court, a swimming pool, a football pitch in their own yard would be difficult to sustain in an urban environment.” But in practice, the projects have nothing to do with affordability or public housing, critics say. Properties in these new cluster developments are being sold at premium prices, often from of US$150,000 to US$400,000 per unit, far beyond the reach of ordinary home seekers. With no quota reserved for those on the municipal housing list and a willing-buyer, willing-seller model dominating the market, residents accuse the council of using a pro-poor policy to mask elite land deals, with city officials allegedly facilitating access for well-connected foreign and local investors.

    Resident mobilise to resist cluster house boom The proliferation of cluster housing projects has triggered a wave of civic mobilisation, with residents forming dozens of hyper-local associations — some representing just a single street or small group of households — to challenge what they describe as irregular and opaque developments. In areas like Borrowdale, Greendale, Mt Pleasant and Highlands, these micro-associations have emerged as community watchdogs, filing petitions, demanding planning transparency, and in some cases, initiating legal action against Harare City Council. One such group, the Montgomery Road and Surrounds Residents’ Association (MRASRA), was created specifically to oppose the surge of cluster housing projects along their street. “We had no choice but to organise at street level because the city is no longer protecting our interests,” said a resident.

    The rise of these grassroots bodies reflects a mistrust in municipal processes and a shift toward neighbourhood-led resistance as residents attempt to reclaim oversight of their communities. The residents also challenge the council’s reference to the Borrowdale Local Development Plan which they claim was passed under questionable conditions during COVID lockdowns. They allege the Plan is being used to justify contested developments, yet they did not contribute to its The irregularities surrounding cluster housing projects have also come under scrutiny at official levels.

    During testimony before the Harare Commission of Inquiry, a former City Council earlier this year housing director Admore Nhekairo expressed shock at the proliferation of cluster houses, revealing that the municipality had not allocated any land for cluster housing development in the past seven years. “There has been no official municipal land allocation for such projects during my tenure,” he told the commission.

    Nhekairo’s testimony triggered concerns that the current wave of developments was being driven by private land deals and speculative approvals, with no alignment to council’s official housing policy. —AMH

  • Angola to polish most diamonds locally by 2027

    Angola plans to polish most of the diamonds it produces domestically by 2027 to boost revenue and create more jobs in the sector.

    New polishing and cutting facilities are being built in hubs such as Saurimo, where most gems are mined, state-owned diamond company Endiama board member Laureano Receado said on Thursday.

    “We are building capacity so that most of Angola’s production is polished in Angola,” Receado said in comments broadcast on state-run RNA radio station.

    Angola, Africa’s second largest diamond producer, currently exports most of its rough stones to the United Arab Emirates and Belgium, according to Endiama.

    The country’s output is forecast to reach at least 17 million carats a year by 2027 from about 14 million today, with new mines such as Luele expected to push production even higher, Receado said.

    Angola holds an estimated 800 million carats in reserves, enough to sustain output for decades.

    Top diamond producers across Africa are seeking to bolster the revenues they get from the gems to compensate for lower demand due to competition from lab-grown synthetic stones and weaker Chinese consumption. — Bloomberg

  • Mining giant awakens: A story of value, vision and national renewal

    Across the rolling hills of Bikita, a new Zimbabwean story is being written. As heavy machinery hums and trucks carry the weight of transformation, our country is moving beyond mere extraction to empowerment and beyond raw exports to refined value. Endowed with world-class critical mineral reserves, Zimbabwe is boldly redefining its place in the global minerals value chain.

    Zimbabwe is on the rise, and at the heart of this resurgence is the Government’s deliberate, future-focused policy shift. The aim is to ensure that the benefits of our mineral wealth are not only realised abroad but also felt at home by our people, communities and economy. In this regard, the Government’s 2022 decision to restrict the export of unprocessed lithium stands out as a milestone. It was not just a policy action but a declaration of intent: Zimbabwe will not be a simple source of raw materials but a centre for beneficiation, industrialisation and innovation.

    In line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), Zimbabwe has committed to building a modern, diversified and industrialised economy. Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and graphite are central to this agenda. With global demand for these minerals soaring due to the energy transition and the growth of electric vehicles, Zimbabwe has moved decisively to harness this opportunity.

    The Government’s ban on raw lithium exports in 2022 has already yielded positive results. Several investors have responded to the policy by establishing processing plants within Zimbabwe’s borders. Projects such as the Sandawana Lithium concentrator in Mberengwa, the Arcadia Lithium Project near Goromonzi, and expansions at Bikita Minerals clearly show that beneficiation is no longer just aspirational — it is operational.

    These investments have created over 5 000 jobs, increased foreign currency inflows, and contributed to export earnings, with lithium exports rising from US$70 million in 2022 to over US$600 million in 2023. This is the outcome of a consistent policy environment underpinned by the Government’s resolve to promote inclusive economic growth.

    With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening new doors for intra-African trade, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to become a regional hub for processing battery minerals. Through this, the Government is ensuring that critical minerals are not just a tool for exports but also a catalyst for deeper industrialisation across the continent.

    Globally, Zimbabwe is engaging with partners from the EU, China, and the UAE to structure mutually beneficial investment agreements that align with national priorities and development goals. The recently launched “Zimbabwe Is Open for Business” investor campaign continues to attract responsible, long-term capital into mining and downstream industries.

    This commitment will be showcased globally at the Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, Australia, a premier mining and investment event that connects African mineral-rich countries with international investors, technical experts, and financial institutions. Zimbabwe’s presence at ADU 2025 will be led by senior Government officials, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), and key players from both the public and private mining sectors.

    The Zimbabwean delegation will use the platform to highlight ongoing reforms in the mining sector, investment-ready projects, and the country’s growing role as a reliable and strategic supplier of critical minerals. Special emphasis will be placed on the lithium value chain, the introduction of the Green Mining Charter, and the various incentives available to investors through the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) framework.

    Zimbabwe’s participation in ADU is more than a promotional campaign; it is part of its broader economic diplomacy strategy. It reflects our readiness to engage meaningfully with the international mining community while safeguarding our national interests. By positioning Zimbabwe as a destination of choice for responsible investment, the ADU offers an opportunity to consolidate partnerships, secure capital, and reinforce the message that Zimbabwe is open for business and prepared to lead on value-addition, beneficiation and sustainable development.

    In every forum, every engagement and every handshake, Zimbabwe is taking control of its narrative, showing that this is not a resource story alone, but a nation-building story. A story of growth, innovation and shared prosperity.

    The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency will participate at the Africa Down Under Conference as part of a whole-of-Government approach, working alongside both Government and private sector to showcase Zimbabwe’s mining and energy opportunities and highlight the country’s investment potential.—Zimpapers

  • Higher Life foundation refurbishes national galaries

    HIGHERLIFE Foundation has partnered with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe to refurbish its facilities across the country in preparation for the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM), scheduled for next year.

    Renovations are currently in full swing at the National Gallery in Harare.

    To date, workers have erected a perimeter fence, painted the interior of the gallery, fixed staff toilets and drilled a solar-powered borehole. In a statement, Higherlife Foundation co-founder Tsitsi Masiyiwa highlighted the new Arts & Culture Pillar initiative, which is meant to empower visual artists.

    “Last week, Higherlife Foundation launched a new Arts & Culture Pillar, a milestone that fills me with pride. Thank you, Joanna, for inspiring this journey. We have already begun supporting the renovation of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, including its galleries in Harare and Bulawayo, as well as the Victoria Falls National Gallery, in preparation for the upcoming CIMAM International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art—an event that will shine a spotlight on Zimbabwe’s artistic brilliance.

    “If you have never stepped inside one of our galleries, I urge you to do so.

    “Immerse yourself in the stories etched in stone, wood, and paint by generations of Zimbabwean artists.

    “Support this growing community that is preserving our heritage and ensuring our culture stands tall with pride and dignity on the world stage.”

    Masiyiwa, who was inspired by her daughter Joanna to support the arts sector, urged parents to empower their children studying art.

    “Growing up, the phrase ‘African culture’ was often associated with darkness, danger, or things to be avoided.

    “Sadly, this poor distinction between harmful practices and our rich, life-giving traditions made me turn away, even from things as beautiful as our art and sculptures.

    “I once dismissed these masterpieces, believing they were ‘demonically inspired.’

    “One of my daughters, who studied art and is actively engaged with some of the world’s great museums and galleries—including the Serpentine, the National Gallery, and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town—opened my eyes.

    “I have since come to realise that our history, culture, and stories are not just treasures of the past; they are living gifts we inherit and must safeguard. They ground us in values of respect, dignity, and the power of community,” she added. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) hailed the Higherlife Foundation for refurbishing the arts hub.—Zimpapers

  • Govt rehabilitates Grand Reef Airstrip

    Grand Reef Airstrip in Mutare is undergoing rehabilitation ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo, which will be running from September 10 to 12 in Manicaland Province.

    This development comes after the Government recently said it was moving to resuscitate all the country’s aerodromes.

    This Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and senior Government officials visited Grand Reef Airstrip to assess progress.

    Their visit comes after the national airline, Air Zimbabwe, is set to introduce daily return flights between Harare and Mutare from September 8 to 14 to support the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo.

    Air Zimbabwe said the new service is part of its turnaround strategy aimed at expanding its route network, improving domestic connectivity and strengthening Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.

    The Eastern Highlands is among the country’s most scenic destinations and will be hosting the international tourism showcase for the first time.—SundayMail

  • Sabhuku deals: Hazards of selling communal land

    The large billboard near Goromonzi High School, Mashonaland East, carries a stark warning: it is illegal to sell and buy land under the Communal Lands Act.

    Yet 40km east of Harare, this prohibition is routinely ignored as ultra-modern brick houses compete cheek by jowl with simple rural dwellings in an uneasy landscape of legal contradiction.

    Goromonzi communal lands present a district in transition — neither fully urban nor rural.

    Fancy suburban houses sit haphazardly between village thatched huts and tiny farm-brick houses, creating an awkward settlement pattern with no coherent planning. Mashona cows, goats, vehicles and humans mingle along dusty footpaths in a scene replicated across Seke, Domboshava, and other communal areas surrounding Harare.

    This transformation stems from a thriving illegal land market. Original occupants hive off family and ancestral lands, selling to land seekers attracted by ease of purchase, cheap prices, proximity to Harare, and fertile soils.

    The buyers range from local Zimbabweans to foreigners willing to pay “a few thousand US dollars” to village heads and chiefs.

    How Sabhuku deals work

    These transactions follow no scientific or legal standards.

    Land measurement relies on crude foot-stride counting methods unchanged since 367 BC.

    Parties may or may not enter written agreements, but typically the process involves payment to the seller, introduction to the village head and additional payment, and declaration of kinship ties.

    The declaration is often fabricated, allowing foreigners to become closely related to the local people. There is optional registration with the chief, depending on local protocols.

    No title deeds or valid cessions are possible since all transactions violate the Communal Lands Act, which restricts communal land to kinship-based allocation.

    Under Section 8, communal land cannot be sold, and occupancy rights cannot be ceded without proper authority.

    The illegal sales breach multiple statutory provisions as follows:

    Communal Lands Act

    Section 3 vests communal land in the President, while Section 8 prohibits sales and unauthorised transfers. Only the Rural District Council, after consultation with traditional leaders, can allocate land rights.

    Traditional Leaders Act

    Chiefs and headmen lack authority to authorise land sales, though they may facilitate proper allocation procedures.

    Regional Town and Country Planning Act

    The haphazard settlements violate planning laws, creating future infrastructure nightmares.

    Despite these clear prohibitions, enforcement remains minimal, with the Government appearing to turn blind eyes to the practice.

    Immediate appeal vs long-term consequences

    Superficially, these arrangements appear beneficial—willing buyer meets willing seller for unused land.

    Many plots belong to deceased relatives, emigrants, or daughters who married and moved away, making sales seem logical rather than letting land lie idle.

    For buyers, particularly those who could never otherwise own land, these transactions provide homeownership without administrative costs and bureaucratic hurdles that plague formal land acquisition.

    However, this market creates serious long-term problems such as erosion of traditional security.

    Rural homes have historically served as social security for Zimbabwe’s black population—a guaranteed fallback during crisis, retirement, or urban economic difficulties.

    This safety net is being permanently sold away.

    There is also the prospect of future homelessness as communal land becomes scarce and traditional support systems collapse; urban homelessness may increase dramatically.

    Also, social fragmentation as diverse communities with no traditional ties or common interests compete for limited resources, creating potential for conflict and rural crime. There are also planning disasters: Haphazard settlement without infrastructure planning creates future nightmares for service delivery and development

    The Government faces a complex challenge.

    Strict enforcement would displease thousands of current occupants and create humanitarian crises. Yet continued tolerance undermines the rule of law and threatens Zimbabwe’s traditional land tenure system.

    The phenomenon reflects deeper failures in formal land delivery systems. Where legal mechanisms fail to meet genuine housing needs, illegal markets emerge to fill the void.

    Rather than continued prohibition without enforcement, Zimbabwe needs legislative reform to amend communal land legislation to create regulated markets that protect traditional rights while allowing controlled transfers.

    There should be regularisation programmes and policies that develop mechanisms to legitimise existing settlements through proper planning and infrastructure provision.

    Institutional coordination is also needed to strengthen partnerships between rural district councils, traditional leaders, and central government to manage land allocation transparently.

    Also, community education, which deploys paralegals and extension officers to educate communities about legal implications before transactions occur, should be fostered.

    Lastly, alternative land delivery accelerates formal residential land systems and reduce pressure on communal areas.

    The illegal communal land market represents rational responses to genuine needs within a dysfunctional formal system.

    However, the current laissez-faire approach risks destroying traditional safety nets while creating future social problems. Policymakers must move beyond prohibition to pragmatic regulation that balances individual needs with collective security.

    The billboard’s warning in Goromonzi remains relevant, but only if backed by viable legal alternatives and consistent enforcement.

    Without urgent intervention, Zimbabwe risks losing both the rule of law and the traditional land tenure system that has provided security for generations. The time for honest discussion about communal land reform has arrived.

    This article was taken from The Herald. Miriam Tose Majome is a lawyer and a Commissioner with the Zimbabwe Media Commission. She writes in her personal capacity and can be contacted on mtmajome@gmail.com

  • Contractors given strict deadlines to complete interchanges

    THE long-awaited construction of the final segment of the Joshua Nkomo Road, connecting Harare Central Business District (CBD) to the Robert Mugabe International Airport, is set to commence imminently, while contractors already working on various roads and interchanges nationwide have been given a strict 12-month deadline to complete these projects.

    Following the recent commissioning of the Trabablas Interchange by President Mnangagwa, the Government announced that more new interchanges were on the cards.

    These new interchanges will be located at the junctions of Simon Mazorodze and Willowvale roads, and Simon Mazorodze Road and Remembrance Drive, Mabvuku junction, Harare Drive-Mutare Road, Harare Drive-Liberation Legacy Way, Nemakonde Way-Harare Drive, Sam Nujoma-Harare Drive, Westgate Traffic Circle, Kuwadzana Traffic Circle and Churchill/Liberation Legacy Way.

    In an interview, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona confirmed the developments.

    “The missing link of the Robert Gabriel International Airport Road, which is the Joshua Nkomo Road, we are now connecting it straight into the Great City, going through the railway line, descending into ED Mnangagwa Road and Samora Machel Avenue.

    “I am happy that we, as a ministry, have made progress on road construction. We have been busy planning and we have got our roads at our fingertips. When you talk of Harare and other provinces, we can articulate what we are doing,” he said.

    Harare, which has more than 3.4 million vehicles, has received particular attention with several roads and traffic interchanges under construction to remove traffic choke points and improve road trafficability.

    “So just to mention a few, when it comes to the interchanges, we have been talking about the Mabvuku interchange in terms of decongestion and also in terms of linking to the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and servicing the industrial sector within the Msasa area,” Minister Mhona said.

    Around the interchange, traffic will be diverted to detour routes from September 9 to allow the start of construction works.

    Along the same corridor that links Harare to Mutare and Mozambique, the country’s closest access to the sea, the Government is also initiating construction works at the Jaggers Intersection.

    “We will also attend to the Jaggers intersection that you know we are concurrently working on, as we are working on the Mabvuku Interchange. We are also widening Harare Drive,” the Minister said.

    Roads that are expected to be completed in 12 months include the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road, where, in sections like Insuza, surfacing is underway, with the Ministry of Transport assuring the nation of smooth and safer journeys on the highway that is the gateway to the country’s tourism hub, Victoria Falls.

    Elsewhere, the priming phase is now in progress on the Kwekwe-Gokwe-Siyabuwa Road Rehabilitation Project, specifically in the Masakadza Area, while rehabilitation works are also underway along the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, where 25 km of road is currently under rehabilitation at various stages, with 10 km already having been primed, while 7 km is now trafficable, bringing immediate relief to motorists.

    In Masvingo, installation of a mobile asphalt plant is currently in progress in preparation for the application of asphalt concrete on the Mutare-Masvingo Road. —The Herald.