Committee set up to tackle illegal settlements

We publish here the 37th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.

Cabinet considered and approved the 2025/2026 National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan.

The plan outlines national disaster preparedness, coordination systems, response mechanisms, and resource requirements to predict, prevent, mitigate, prepare for and respond to potential emergencies associated with the 2025/2026 rainfall season.

The projected normal to above normal rainfall during the greater part of the 2025/2026 season, December 2025 to February 2026 is likely to experience extreme climate-induced events that include severe storms, hailstorms, floods, tropical cyclones, landslides and other hazards of a trans-boundary nature.

The overall aim of the plan is to strengthen capacity for preparedness and response from the national to the sub-national levels cascading to the village level, in order to enhance timely and coordinated response to emergencies by Government and stakeholders.

It will also instil a culture of resilience building and disaster risk reduction for sustainable development.

UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT 8.0 PROJECTS

Rural Development 8.0 initiatives are a direct Government intervention to uplift the rural majority through agricultural development and industrialization, whereby agriculture is treated as a business irrespective of scale.

Under infrastructure 6.0, a dam is now considered an economy, whereby each dam project is developed as a multi-faceted economic hub comprising the dam, drinking water supply, irrigation, hydro-electricity generation, fisheries, and waste-water management.

The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme which aims at ensuring household food security and generation of annual marketable surpluses has recorded remarkable growth.

The Zunde RaMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi project has been extended to all traditional leaders (chiefs, headmen, and village heads), in order to strengthen social safety nets through supporting food-insecure households in their localities.

Regarding water as an economic enabler, a total of 2 542 boreholes equipped out of the 4 642 boreholes drilled have been that have been drilled thereby facilitating the establishment of 1 544 business units featuring solar-powered drip irrigation, fish ponds and water points for livestock and domestic use.

Development partners such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), CARE and China Aid are complementing Government efforts by establishing Business Units across the country.

The Presidential Poultry Scheme has distributed over 2 402 832 free range chicks to more than 240 283 households.

PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE 3RD 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2025

The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera reported on progress on projects under her purview as follows:

30 health institutions were connected to facilitate telemedicine services provision while 280 Starlink kits were procured for 280 health institutions;
The ministry is partnering with Sunway City for the establishment of a Technology Park;
Twenty computer laboratories were resourced with Information Communication Technology gadgets;
Two renewable energy base stations were deployed while 4 are at various stages of completion, and 6 x3G/4G Base stations are at various stages of completion;
1 740 homes befitted from the fibre to the home digital connectivity project;
Six Long-Term Evolution base stations were completed and commissioned;
Civil works spanning 30km were completed for the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls-Kazungula project;
20 sites have been fitted with traffic surveillance equipment for the Smart Traffic Management project;
Cashel Valley Post Office has been renovated and is now operational;
The ZIMPOST mobile application has been completed and is now in the public domain;
E-Learning platforms were deployed to 10 schools;
70 000 citizens were equipped with digital skills;
50 ICT laboratories were established;
Six Digital Centres were rebranded; and
The Midlands edition of the Digitalise Zimbabwe Roving ICT Expo in Masala, Gokwe marked a key step in digital inclusion.

Under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Minister Dr Anxious Masuka reported progress as follows:

The Mutare Grain Marketing Board Silo expansion project 95 percent complete;
The Mhangura Grain Marketing Board Silo expansion project is 87 percent complete;
Semen straws that were produced for artificial insemination, surpassed the target of 10 000, while 91 dip tanks out of 160 were rehabilitated;
49 864 chicks were distributed as at day 50;
50 835 098 hay bales were produced, surpassing the target of 2 million;
Kunzvi Dam has reached 66 percent complete, while Gwayi-Shangani is 73 percent complete;
312 boreholes were equipped, surpassing the target of 200; and
156 Village Business Units were established, surpassing the target of 100.

Under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Minister Felix Mhona reported progress as follows:

The remaining 59.5km of the Harare-Masvingo- Beitbridge road upgrading are at various stages of completion;
25,5km of the 357,7km Harare-Kanyemba Road upgrade works has been completed and opened to traffic;
The fencing of the 43km stretch of the rehabilitated Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road has reached 60 percent completion;
Construction of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Masvingo Offices was 88 percent complete;
The Chipinge-Mt Selinda 10km road construction project is expected to be completed by the end of the year; and
The Mpopoma Traffic Training Centre in Bulawayo is at 70 percent of completion.

Under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, the Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere reported progress as follows:

The Ministry is spearheading the production of two landmark documentary initiatives, namely: The Second Republic- The End of National Development Strategy 1(NDS 1), spotlighting its achievements; and The Legacy of Munhumutapa, chronicling the life and leadership of President, Mnangagwa;
The Lyeja FM Radio Transmitter Upgrade has been completed, with successful coverage tests indicating strong signal reception across targeted zones;
The modernization of the two Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) news booths will revitalise the country’s national broadcasting infrastructure. The Montrose station is complete and will soon be commissioned, works at Pockets Hill will start in mid December 2025.
The Media Centre Renovations project at Rainbow Towers Hotel and is at 75 percent in terms of completion;
The Community Mobile Cinematography project was rolled out in Hwedza, Hwange and Binga Districts, and is ongoing.
The country successfully hosted the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) Conference that carried significant strategic, diplomatic and developmental benefits for Zimbabwe and the wider SADC region.

Under the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Minister Anselem Sanyatwe reported progress as follows:

The refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium is on course;
The development of the National Sports Association Hub is ongoing;
Finalisation of the National Languages Policy is expected by the end of the cycle;
Construction of the Shangwe Culture Centre in Gokwe North District is now complete and ready for hand-over from the Ministry Local Government and Public Works;
Design and architectural drawings for the Zezuru Cultural Village Phase 2 in Murehwa District, Mashonaland East Province has been completed; and
The upgrading of the solar power system at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe has been completed.

Under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Minister Torerayi Moyo reported progress as follows:

97 primary and secondary schools were registered thereby reducing walking distances by learners and decongesting existing schools across the country;
10 schools infrastructure upgrading works were undertaken through partnerships between Government and Development Partners.
Six laboratories were constructed in order to increase the uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects by learners; and
Government and development partners completed construction of affordable and sustainable boarding facilities across the country.

Under the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Minister Daniel Garwe reported progress as follows:

New City Local Development Plans in Mt Hampden are at 45 percent in terms of completion;
The Munhumutapa National Youth Housing Programme in Manyame District, Mashonaland East Province is on course for completion within the set timeframe;
The Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Housing programmes in Zvimba and Masvingo Districts are progressing well and are set for completion within the targeted timelines;
Regarding installation of chiefs in Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Manicaland and Mashonaland East Provinces, progress reached 43 percent;
On devolution, 91 of the 92 local authorities now have the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) module;
Pertaining to the 46th Independence Celebrations Legacy projects in Matobo District, progress is at 15 percent;
298 houses were completed and seven are at various stages of completion for the Tsholotsho Disaster Recovery project; and
157 boreholes have been drilled under the China Aid Post Cyclone Idai Recovery programme.

KARIBA FLOATING SOLAR POWER PLANT

Cabinet received and adopted the update on the Kariba Floating Solar Power Plant.

The power plant is an initiative to generate 600 Megawatts on Lake Kariba through private sector investment. The solar power generation is meant to augment hydropower supplies from Kariba Power Station, which has encountered fluctuations due to recurring hydrological constraints and declining lake levels.

The benefits expected from the solar plant project are as follows: to preserve water during the day through solar generation, will water would be available for increased night hydropower generation; to stabilise power output; and to enhance climate resilience and ensure long-term sustainability of the Kariba power generation system.

The 600MW project will be implemented in three phases over a five-year period, starting with 150 megawatts. Phase 1 will commence during the second quarter of 2026.

ZIMBABWE’S PARTICIPATION AT EXPO 2030 RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Cabinet approved the proposal for Zimbabwe’s Participation at Expo 2030 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031.

Zimbabwe will participate at Expo 2030 Riyadh which will be held under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”. The theme places emphasis on long-term thinking, innovation and global collaboration in order to build a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.

Expo 2030 Riyadh will be much bigger than the previous expos, and will have three sub-themes, namely: “Transformational Technology”; “Sustainable Solutions”; and “Prosperous People”.

Zimbabwe will participate under the “Prosperous People” sub-theme, in line with His Excellency the President’s Vision 2030.

RELOCATION OF FAMILIES EVICTED FROM WILLDALE FARM, MT HAMPDEN

Cabinet was updated on the status of the families evicted from Willdale Farm in Mt. Hampden, Zvimba District.

Cabinet noted the emergency measures taken to assist the families concerned. Going forward, an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising the Ministries of Local Government and Public Works; Primary and Secondary Education; Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; Health and Child Care; Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; National Housing and Social Amenities; and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has been established to look into the matter, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issue of illegal settlements.

REPORT ON MEASURES TO ADDRESS TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT FORBES BORDER POST, MUTARE IN MANICALAND PROVINCE

Cabinet received a report on measures to address traffic congestion, and operational status at the Forbes Border Post in Manicaland Province.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage visited Forbes Border Post on 4th and 5th December 2025 to assess the situation and institute measures to decongest the Border Post. The measures to be implemented in the short term include:

The widening of the main gate at the border post to enhance movement of traffic;
Directing all agencies operating at Forbes to adopt 24 hour operations; and
Loaded and empty trucks will be separated to expedite clearance;

Long term measures will also be instituted in order to ensure seamless movement across the Forbes Border Post.