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Harmony Agere

Outgoing European union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, has hailed his tenure as a period of significant progress in EU-Zimbabwe relations, marked by deepened economic cooperation and robust trade growth.

In an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) this morning, Ambassador von Kirchmann expressed a deep emotional attachment to Zimbabwe, describing the country and its people as having left an indelible mark on him and his family.

“Home is not a place, it’s what people make you feel,” he said, reflecting on his travels across the country.

Since his appointment in October 2022, Ambassador von Kirchmann has overseen renewed EU-Zimbabwe engagement, strengthening trade, investment and dialogue.

“Relations are better than before,” he remarked.

“We built bridges, especially in the economic and trade sectors.”

During his tenure, trade between Zimbabwe and the EU surged by 30 percent, while foreign direct investment from EU Member States jumped by 90 percent.

Zimbabwean exports to the EU reached €255 million in 2024, with the EU emerging as the largest buyer of horticultural products such as avocados and blueberries.

Imports from the EU, mostly machinery, totalled €538 million, reflecting a healthy and complementary trade relationship.

Ambassador von Kirchmann also pointed to successful initiatives like the EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum, which drew nearly 70 European companies, resulting in US$7 million in trade deals.

The European Investment Bank has also extended $100 million in capital to local companies, with a remarkable zero percent default rate.

Beyond trade, the Ambassador highlighted growth and sustainability efforts under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, including €250 million for climate-smart agriculture and support for renewable energy and women’s empowerment initiatives.

Infrastructure development projects such as the Kariba Dam rehabilitation also featured prominently.

At policy level, Ambassador von Kirchmann praised the Government-led debt resolution process and partnership dialogues, saying they are critical in unlocking sovereign lending and further integration.

“This goes beyond finances. It’s about normalisation and working together,” he noted.

On regional cooperation, he emphasised the importance of EU-SADC and EU-AU engagements, especially in addressing transnational challenges such as climate change and regional security.

Zimbabwe’s SADC chairmanship over the past year paved the way for greater visibility and dialogue, including a landmark visit by Poland’s foreign minister.

As Zimbabwe shifts from aid dependency to mutual partnerships, Ambassador von Kirchmann underscored the EU’s evolving approach.

“We’re moving to a model where trade comes first, followed by investment, with aid supporting the foundation,” he explained.

Looking ahead, he urged continuity and ambition.

“Let’s hit the $1 billion mark in trade and see progress on debt clearance. That’s the next milestone,” said the Ambassador.

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

Two men, including a police officer, appeared in court on Tuesday facing charges of abuse of office as a public officer and impersonation of a police officer, respectively.

Elisha Magwaza (38) and Collen Muzuva (33) appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo.

The complainant in the case is the State, represented by Terence Chinyamunjiko, a police officer stationed at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) General Headquarters’ Internal Investigations Department.

Magwaza is a police constable stationed at ZRP Mbare while Muzuva is unemployed. On July 28, around 11:30 am, Chinyamunjiko and a team of officers from ZRP PGHQ Internal Investigations, including Chief Inspector Gunhe, Chief Inspector Mupangai, Assistant Inspector Mutemaringa, and Assistant Inspector Demba, were conducting surveillance along the Harare-Bulawayo Road.

At Thuli Service Station, the team noticed four men and three women waiting for transport.  They observed a Toyota Hilux with registration number AFN 5372, branded Econet on its door panels, stopping to pick up passengers.

A female passenger boarded the car and sat on the front seat while two of the men also jumped into the vehicle.

The vehicle drove off and later dropped off the female passenger. The officers, suspecting foul play, pursued the vehicle but failed to catch up with it.

The team’s suspicion grew when the remaining two men, including Constable Magwaza, appeared busy on their cellphones, seemingly coordinating with their counterparts.

Moments later, the same Toyota Hilux reappeared from Bishop Gaul Avenue and turned into Bulawayo Road, dropping off Magwaza and Muzuva.

The officers intercepted the Toyota Hilux at Marimba Shopping Centre and interviewed the driver, Amos Siyani, who revealed that the two accused persons had extorted US$150 from him after accusing him of committing a traffic offence.

Siyani explained that the accused initially demanded US$230 but later settled for US$150, which he had withdrawn from his Ecocash account.

The informant and the surveillance team returned to Thuli Service Station and found the suspects at their alleged “hunting ground”.

The officers parked their vehicle, approached the suspects and managed to apprehend Magwaza and Muzuva.

Business Reporter

Zimbabwe’s largest media group, Zimpapers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, is set to host a 2025 Tobacco Conference this Friday, aimed at fostering discussions on enhanced beneficiation and value addition of the crop.

The initiative follows the country’s milestone achievement of producing approximately 350 million kilogrammes of tobacco, significantly surpassing the 300 million kg target set under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (2021-2025).

With this success, focus is now firmly shifting towards beneficiation and value addition to maximise revenue retention within the country.

The one-day event, to be held at Cresta Lodge in Harare, brings together key stakeholders to chart a new course for Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry.

The conference will feature prominent keynote addresses from the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka and his Industry and Commerce counterpart, Mangaliso Ndlovu.

Structured to foster in-depth discussions, the conference will include presentations from stakeholder experts and dynamic panel discussions.

Some discussions will centre on enhancing beneficiation and value addition, particularly through cut rag and cigarette manufacturing, alongside exploring innovative financing mechanisms to overcome investment barriers.

The agenda also includes sessions on global market shifts, empowering farmers through value-added products, leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), maximising yields and strengthening risk mitigation strategies for farmers.

The conference is expected to lay the groundwork for strategic investments and policy reforms designed to bolster the competitiveness and long-term viability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector.

Currently, Zimbabwe exports the bulk of its tobacco unprocessed, meaning it loses significant potential value.

Beneficiation and value addition, a core theme of the conference, are crucial to realising greater value, creating jobs and empowering farmers through potentially better prices for their green leaf once it is processed domestically.

“Having achieved a remarkable milestone in tobacco production, the focus must now decisively shift to beneficiation,” Zimpapers Business Hub and Events editor Hebert Zharare said.

“This conference is a critical step in Zimbabwe’s national strategy to unlock the full economic potential of our tobacco.

“By moving beyond raw exports into value-added products, we are not just increasing revenue; we are building local industries, creating sustainable jobs and empowering our farmers to secure a more prosperous future for themselves and the nation.”

The conference is part of a broader initiative by Zimpapers, the country’s leading integrated media group, which has expanded its role beyond traditional news dissemination to actively convene platforms for discussions on critical national development issues.

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

The movement of travellers and cargo into South Africa and Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Port of Entry (PoE) resumed on Monday night after border officials managed to contain a potential danger posed by a gas tank that fell off and got stuck at a service station nearly some 800 metres near South Africa’s side of the border.

Authorities had temporarily halted the movement of traffic into either country through the Beitbridge port of entry as a precautionary measure, after an LP gas tanker was left at the Shell service station, thereby posing an explosion hazard.

The incident occurred around midday and traffic had to be blocked on both side of the border.

Emergency teams have been deployed to the scene and are working on transferring the gas to another tanker.

Work on moving the tanker is expected to continue this morning and technical workers have ruled out any potential danger after securing the area.

In a notice to inter-border agencies and stakeholders, South Africa Revenue Services lead person at Beitbridge, Ms Memory Ndou said as a precautionary measure, all operations at the border post have been temporarily suspended.

The team is clearing trucks from the gate, and officials have been evacuated to ensure their safety.

Truck drivers have been advised to return to designated truck parking areas.

“There is currently a stranded LP Gas tanker at the Shell garage, thereby posing a potential explosion hazard. Emergency teams have been deployed and are preparing to transfer the gas safely to another tanker,” said the official.

“Please be advised that the gas transfer process has been temporarily halted due to a mechanical breakdown of the tanker truck. Operations are scheduled to resume Tuesday morning once the issue of the truck has been resolved. Time will be confirmed. In the meantime, cargo operations will recommence at 17:30 today (yesterday). We will keep you informed of further developments”.

The temporary closure of the PoE caused delays for travellers and truck drivers, and these were advised to plan accordingly and consider alternative routes or wait for further updates.

This is the second time operations at the border have to be suspended due to gas-related incidents.

In May last year a gas leak at the Beitbridge Border Post (Zimbabwe side) light vehicles and pedestrians’ terminal forced authorities to evacuate the building and re-route traffic to the bus terminal.

However, this was swiftly resolved.

At least 1000 cargo trucks, 200 buses, 2000 light vehicles and 15 000 travellers use the border post daily during off-peak periods and the number increases three fold at peak.

Nduduzo Tshuma in Johannesburg, South Africa

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has called on Southern Africa’s Liberation Movements to remain resolute in defending the gains of independence and to boldly chart new paths of people-centred development in the face of growing threats from counter-revolutionary forces.

Addressing the Summit of Heads of State and Leaders of Liberation Movements here yesterday, President Mnangagwa, who is also the Zanu PF First Secretary, urged former liberation movements to stand united, defend their shared legacy and ensure their continued relevance as champions of the people.

The high level meeting of leaders of the liberation movements marked the final and most crucial phase of the three-day indaba which started last Friday bringing together six Southern African liberation movements, the ANC of South Africa (host and outgoing chair), Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe), MPLA (Angola), SWAPO (Namibia), Frelimo (Mozambique) and CCM of Tanzania.

The summit ran under the theme “Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa.”

President Mnangagwa rallied liberation parties to remain true to their founding principles, emphasising that the future of African prosperity rests with revolutionary movements that are rooted in the will of the people.

“Counter-revolutionary forces have doubled-up antics to divide and fragment our movements. They are unrelenting in their nefarious quest to obliterate Liberation Movements from the political radar of our region,” he said

“Our democracy, freedom and independence did not come on a silver platter. The infrastructure that denied us democracy and independence has mutated and expresses itself in numerous forms. These include through interference in the internal affairs of our parties and governments; sabotage of our economies; and at worst, covert support of conflict and war, in our jurisdictions.”

However, the President emphasised the need for liberation movements to draw strength from their rich history of struggle, describing it as their greatest teacher.

He noted that the millions of people across the region, who continue to look to liberation movements with hope for a better future, should serve as a constant source of inspiration and resolve.

“The responsibility and duty to build brighter and more prosperous countries for the next generation lies with us, Liberation Movements. Let us, therefore, bravely and unapologetically re-assert and re-commit ourselves to defending our founding values, independence, sovereignty, freedom, democracy and equality.

“We are the only tried, trusted and dependable drivers of socio-economic justice, development and regional stability. The people’s power shall always remain firmly secure, under the governments of Liberation Movements,” said the President.

He stressed the need for unity and solidarity among liberation movements, which remain the bedrock of democracy, sovereignty and socio-economic transformation in the region.

President Mnangagwa warned against internal divisions and manipulation by foreign interests.

“Unity, cooperation and solidarity amongst ourselves as liberation parties, must realise maximum benefits.  To achieve this, it is critically important that we address contradictions within our respective parties and overall body politik. Divergent views and strategies need not cause fractures detrimental to the revolution. Our colossal movements must remain bigger than individuals.

“While the ‘invisible hands’ are apparent, we should, as independent Pan-Africanists, close ranks in pursuit of common goals to develop our countries. Let us set aside all forms of differences and confront our challenges head-on, while maintaining the integrity and correct line of our revolutionary parties,” he said.

“We are one, sharing common values and ideas. Those who seek to foist their nefarious and foreign agendas in our region must be exposed and denounced.”

The President emphasised the role of liberation movements in steering inclusive economic development, particularly through investment in rural communities, industrialisation and youth empowerment.

In Zimbabwe, he said, the Zanu-PF Government is implementing a village-based economic transformation strategy, which includes drilling boreholes in all 35,000 villages and setting up agro-based business units to ensure food security, enhance horticultural exports and improve rural incomes.

 “These are mitigating the impact of climate change, guaranteeing household food security, providing throughput for horticulture exports and ultimately improving rural incomes. The fruits of our independence and freedom translate to affordable education, healthcare, transport, water and sanitation, among other basic social services,” said the President.

He highlighted the importance of education, innovation, and youth participation in key sectors as cornerstones of modern development.

“In our case, ZANU PF has adopted strategies to empower the youth not only through the issuance of mining claims but also with equipment, so that they participate in the mining value chains.  In the agriculture sector, mechanisation programmes targeted at the youth, have proved a transformational empowerment tool towards increased agriculture productivity among young farmers,” said the President.

Women and youth-led consortia are also being integrated into infrastructure development projects, both in urban and rural areas, while veterans of the liberation struggle are being supported through targeted welfare programmes.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory, supported by policy reforms, has resulted in macro-economic stability and is expected to deliver around 6 percent GDP growth in 2025.

He called for deeper intra-African trade and collaboration among liberation movements to support regional integration, adding that the heritage of the liberation struggle must be preserved and passed on to future generations.

“The correct line of the revolution remains our guiding beacon. Our rich liberation heritage should be harnessed by today’s youthful and tech-savvy generation to grow our Party membership base.

“Leveraging on our political party schools and leadership institutes, deliberate efforts to nurture politically conscious young people and cadres, who have knowledge and understanding of our history, ideology and value systems, should be scaled up,” said President Mnangagwa.

“The legacy of luminaries and veterans of our movements, along with our rich liberation heritage, must be kept alive, immortalised and memorialised.”

President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia for supporting Zimbabwe’s efforts to rehabilitate liberation war heritage sites in their countries.

He also commended ongoing efforts by South Africa to repatriate the remains of liberation heroes buried in Zimbabwe.President Mnangagwa reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order.

He thanked fellow liberation movements for their continued support and advocacy for the unconditional lifting of Western-imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.