We publish here the 34th post Cabinet media briefing presented by Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Prof Paul Mavima, in Harare yesterday.
1.0 UPDATE ON THE 2026/2027 SUMMER PLAN INCORPORATING THE DROUGHT PLAN
Cabinet noted and approved an update on the 2026/2027 Summer Plan, incorporating the Drought Plan, as presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Honourable A.J. Masuka.
The nation is advised that the 2026/27 summer season is characterised by two major threats: a predicted super El Nino, and geopolitical tensions, the latter elevating fuel and fertiliser prices and disrupting of their supply.
Building on lessons from the 2024/2025 season when Zimbabwe experienced the worst drought since 1980, emphasis is being made on six interconnected strategic intervention and resilience pillars underpinning the 2026/2027 Summer Plan thus: i) Enhanced Strategic Grain Reserve; ii) Accelerated Climate-Smart Production; iii) Integrated Financing Architecture; iv) Livestock Drought Mitigation; v) Enhanced Imports; and vi) Coordination, Early Warning Systems and Capacity Building Support. With the six strategic interventions, the total expected cereal production for the 2026/2027 season is 1 607 198 tonnes against a total cereal requirement of 2 270 386 tonnes, resulting in a production deficit, increased mobilisation for Strategic Grain Reserve management and limited imports.
Government will leverage on the new AI-powered silos to build a dedicated 600 000 Strategic Grain Reserve by October 2027 through aggressive purchases from summer 2025/26, winter 2026 and winter 2027 production.
Since the introduction of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme in the 2020/2021 season, there has been a phenomenal adoption of this model of conservation farming. The targeted Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots for the 2026/2027 season is 16 million of which 7 603 250 have been established to date, reflecting 47.52% of the target and amounting to 475 203 hectares.
Accelerated irrigation development has been prioritised and to date over 112 000 hectares have been identified for maize irrigation. Financing for the summer season has been mobilised from largely Government and the private sector, including self-financing farmers.
Statutory Instrument 214 of 2025 allowed for the importation of 150 000 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate and of 100 000 tonnes Urea.
Noting the elevated price and anticipated logistics delays, the duty-free importation for both basal and top-dressing fertilisers will be allowed to meet the expected shortages in local production.
In addition, Statutory instrument 59 of 2006 allows households to continue importing basic commodities duty free until March 2028 to cushion consumers from price shocks.
Regarding livestock, the expected number of cattle at risk from drought in 2027 is 2 236 203. In order to address this, the Ward Drought Mitigation Centres establishment which commenced in 2024, seeks to provide a centre in each of the 1 527 rural wards where cattle dipping, feeding and marketing services can be provided. Focus will also be on small stock, including goats, poultry and fisheries to enhance resilience in communities.
A Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society coordination mechanism has been adopted to ensure better planning, for better information and early and appropriate action by all stakeholders. Government will continue to provide periodic updates on the unfolding 2026/2027 Summer season weather, and implications for agriculture, water, energy, animal diseases, human health, livelihoods and the economy.
2.0 UPDATE ON THE REPATRIATION AND RE-INTEGRATION OF ZIMBABWEAN NATIONALS RETURNING FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Cabinet considered and noted the update on the repatriation and re-integration of Zimbabwean nationals returning from South Africa, as presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable D. Garwe. The nation is advised that the repatriation and re-integration of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa has significantly declined, for both Government-supported returnees and self-repatriates. As at October 6, 2026, a total of 42 553 returnees had been repatriated through Government arrangements.
The nationals comprise 10 475 male adults, 13 631 female adults, 9 001 male minors and 9 446 female minors. In addition, a cumulative total of 154 741 self-repatriations have been recorded to date. As at 24th September 2026, a total of 700 deportees from Lindela Prison Repatriation Centre in South Africa were received at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
The involvement of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) remains paramount in the screening and handling process, given that some of the deportees are convicts who were serving sentences in South African prisons and are required to complete the remainder of their sentences in Zimbabwe.
A total of 87 012 Malawian nationals’ returnees were assisted by Government in-transit to Malawi, and all Malawian nationals have since exited the country and have been fully accounted for. Government continues to monitor the situation and is ready to respond to any possible influx of returnees in the future.
3.0 REPORT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESPONSE
Cabinet received update on National Drug and Substance Abuse Response which was presented by the Minister of Defence, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse Response. The comprehensive report covered the period 1 June to 19 September, 2026 and focused on interventions that were undertaken across the seven pillars of the Multi-Sectoral National Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030).
The nation is informed that Under the Supply Reduction Pillar, enforcement, surveillance, and destruction of identified drug bases and public awareness campaigns were intensified across all provinces.
A total of 3 839 persons were arrested and referred to court, with 2 706 being below 35 years. A total 73 drug bases were destroyed while 171 awareness campaigns were conducted. Harare had the highest number of accused persons with 5 685, followed by Bulawayo with 1 022, while Midlands reported the lowest number of 296.
The nation is informed that various drugs and substances valued over Zig 26 734 707 were recovered and these included Crystal Methamphetamine, cocaine, and dagga.
Furthermore, a total of 1 032 accused persons were fined, 461 imprisoned for various periods, with some getting sentences of up to 15 years. The Zimbabwe Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe conducted 285 inspections across the country leading to 50 violations being referred to court.
Meanwhile, Government continues to strengthen systems through training and the Whole-of-Government Approach. Under the Demand Reduction Pillar, the nation is informed that awareness campaigns, prevention, youth empowerment, vocational training research and livelihood initiatives were conducted, reaching out to over 1 393 906 individuals, with 579 000 being male and 814 906 being female.
Under Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation Pillar, a total 3 363 patients were attended to, 2 964 male and 399 female. A total of 73 patients were reported as relapse cases. In addition, 71 members drawn from all provinces were trained under a Training for Trainers Programme and 50 police officers were trained in the use of modern breathlysers.
The rehabilitation and refurbishment of infrastructure is continuing at Gwanda and Sakubva Rehabilitation Centres. Plans are underway to establish a 700-bed Presidential High-Capacity Drug Rehabilitation Centre model which is earmarked for replication in all the 10 provinces of the country. This follows a benchmarking exercise that was conducted at the Angel of Hope Foundation.
The centre will integrate clinical treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational empowerment, agriculture, sport and recreation and community reintegration on approximately 20 hectares.
Regarding the Psycho-Social Support and Community Reintegration Pillar, the nation is informed that a total 5 707 individuals received psychosocial support services, 1 843 were reached out through the tollfree line 406, while 594 individuals were successfully reintegrated into their families and communities following their discharge from the Angel of Hope Foundation and Wilkins Rehabilitation Centres. Under the Legal and Policy Pillar, the nation is informed that the National Drug, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill is under consideration by the Parliamentary Legal Committee. A total of 4 934 drug related cases were recorded, 4 341 court cases were completed, resulting in 4 243 convictions and 73 acquittals were made. Government notes that the demand for treatment, rehabilitation, psycho-social support and empowerment initiatives continue to increase, demanding Whole-of-Government and Whole-of Society collaboration to fight Drug and Substance Abuse in our communities.
Mechanisms to fight Drug and Substance Abuse will continue to be intensified and that any business found in violation, will face the full wroth of the law.
4.0 CONCEPT PAPER ON THE THEME AND ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE THE SADC ANTI-SANCTIONS SOLIDARITY DAY
Cabinet considered and approved the Concept Paper on the Theme and activities to Commemorate the SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day, as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable A. Murwira. The 39th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government endorsed 25 October as SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, since 2019, providing an annual platform for the region to reaffirm its collective solidarity with Zimbabwe and call for the unconditional lifting of all illegal sanctions imposed against the country.
Consequently, Zimbabwe has continued to annually commemorate the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day under themes adopted to underscore the country’s position on the adverse effects of sanctions and to reaffirm the call for their removal.
The theme for 2026 is “Leveraging Regional Integration and Global Partnerships for Economic Transformation beyond Illegal Sanctions”, which underscores the evolving thrust of Zimbabwe’s Foreign Policy and national development agenda, to harness the country’s expanding regional and global engagements and to create opportunities for economic transformation.
The commemorations take place at a time when Zimbabwe has assumed a proactive leadership role within SADC in advocating collective self-reliance. This includes championing efforts to rationalise regulatory, administrative and logistical barriers that constrain intra-regional trade and competitiveness, removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and strengthening regional value chains.
The SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day annual commemoration serves as an opportunity to reflect on the socio-economic toll of these sanctions on Zimbabwe, as well as their broader regional repercussions. The 2026 commemorations will be held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province.
5.0 UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESERVED SECTOR LEGISLATION UNDER THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FRAMEWORK
Cabinet received an Update on the Implementation of the Reserved Sector Legislation Under the Economic Empowerment Framework which was presented by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable N. M. Ndlovu.
The nation is informed that Government gazetted Statutory Instrument number 215 of 2025 in December 2025, reserving 17 sectors of the economy for Zimbabwean citizens. Among these, 13 are exclusive reserve sectors including: borehole drilling, clearing and customs, tobacco grading, estate agencies, and artisanal mining, among others.
Foreign participation may be permissible in sectors such as retail and wholesale, haulage and logistics, grain milling and shipping and forwarding by exemption.
Compliance Inspections covering more than 3 000 companies were concluded across the 10 Provinces. The following reported: i. progress was that 693 formal applications for compliance under the Reserved Sector were received; ii. that 269 foreign operators applied for compliance under the Regularisation Plans mandating equity transfer of 75% to Zimbabwean citizens; iii. a total 144 entities applied for confirmation of their Local status through exemption or the verification process; iv. and 63 entities representing 13.2% of foreign companies qualified for statutory exemption on the basis that they met the prescribed investment or qualified as recognised international brands.
Cabinet noted that despite extensive national campaigns and issuance of non-compliance notices, the majority of foreign-owned entities have not yet regularised as required and that foreign players continue to maintain a significant footprint in reserved sectors including retail and brick moulding, hence stiffer penalties will be implemented.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce will suspend or revoke the operating licences of all non-compliant businesses operating in the reserved sectors as per regulations.
6.0 REPORT ON THE ATTAINMENT OF THE ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION BY THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
In line with the commitment to improve the quality, consistency and effectiveness of public service delivery, Cabinet considered and noted the Report on the Attainment of the ISO Certification 9001, as presented by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable N. M. Ndlovu.
The nation is advised that the ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems. Certification demonstrates that an organisation has established and is implementing a structured system for consistently delivering services in accordance with defined requirements, while continuously improving its processes and responding to the needs and expectations of its customers and stakeholders.
The successful attainment of ISO 9001 certification represents a significant milestone in the institutionalisation of a culture of quality, accountability, and consistency.
The achievement is particularly significant as the institution charged with advancing quality across industry and commerce has subjected itself and its internal systems to an internationally recognised quality management standard, setting the pace for the private sector to emulate.
7.0 REQUEST BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ZIMBABWE TO JOIN THE INCLUSIVE FRAMEWORK ON BASE EROSION AND PROFIT SHIFTING
Cabinet approved the request by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development for Zimbabwe to join the Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
In 2016, Zimbabwe was invited to join the Inclusive Framework for the Implementation of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/G20) project as an associate member.
The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Programme equips Governments with rules and instruments to address tax avoidance, thereby ensuring that profits generated through economic activity are taxed, creating value for economies and tax jurisdictions, strengthening member countries’ domestic tax systems. Zimbabwe will benefit in a number of ways including: i. Access to a comprehensive plan for global tax reform which prevents multinational corporates from shifting profits to low tax jurisdictions; ii. Support for tax compliance, helping countries to implement BEPS actions, ensuring that multinational enterprises pay their fair share of taxes; iii. Increased transparency in the global tax system; iv. Capacity building for developing countries to enhance implementation of BEPS actions and improve domestic tax systems; and reciprocal benefits in tax compliance and increased revenue.
8.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE NATIONAL CENTRE OF LEGISLATION AND LEGAL INFORMATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS CONCERNING THE MUTUAL EXCHANGE OF LEGAL INFORMATION
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the National Centre of Legislation and Legal Information of the Republic of Belarus concerning the mutual exchange of legal information, as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.
The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to establish a framework for cooperation between the parties in the mutual exchange of legal information and to promote collaboration in the legal sphere based on mutual respect and equality. The scope of cooperation includes the improvement of norm-making activities and national legislation; the development of legal science, the mutual exchange of legal information, and the use of information technologies in the legal sector.
9.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Tajikistan on Cooperation in the Field of Information Communication Technologies which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The cooperation seeks to strengthen exchange of expertise and best practices in telecommunications and engineering services; collaboration in design, development and deployment of equipment and networks; sharing technical knowledge in cloud computing, data centres, financial technologies and digital banking systems, postal services, e-commerce; and facilitating mutual initiatives in space science, and satellite technologies including remote sensing and navigation satellites.
10.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Serbia on cooperation in the Field of Information Communication Technologies, as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation. The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to promote cooperation between the parties and facilitate communication between Information Communication Technology organisations in both countries and set the framework for the programmes of cooperation in the field of youth, which are to be based on the principle of reciprocity. The cooperation will further the advancement of digital transformation in the two countries. The MoU will be in effect for a duration of five years.
11.0 REPORT ON THE 12TH UNESCO AFRICA ENGINEERING WEEK AND 10TH AFRICAN ENGINEERING CONFERENCE: 14TH TO 17TH SEPTEMBER 2026; DAR-ES-SALAAM, TANZANIA
Cabinet considered and noted the report on the 12th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and 10th African Engineering Conference held from 14th to 17th September 2026 in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, as presented by the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Honourable P. Mavima.
The UNESCO Africa Engineering Week is a premier regional initiative established to advocate for the engineering profession, foster collaboration, and recognise the critical role engineers play in addressing Africa’s unique structural challenges. The 2026 conference brought together African ministers, senior Government policymakers, engineers, researchers, innovators, industry leaders, and the academia from across the continent and globally.
Key discussion areas of focus included climate-resilient infrastructure development, smart cities, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, resource management, and professional mobility across African borders. As part of opportunities realised from the conference, the President of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) requested for collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe on a Disaster Risk Reduction Engineering Capacity-Building pilot. The proposed pilot would operationalise the conference’s focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, anticipatory disaster-risk engineering and institutional capacity through a national programme addressing priority hazards, technical training, resilient infrastructure planning and measurable implementation outcomes. Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to host and support the Local Programme Office of the WFEO Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme.
12.0 REPORT ON THE 12TH CEO AFRICA ROUND TABLE MEETING: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: 6-8 OCTOBER, 2026.
Cabinet noted the report on the 12th CEO Africa Annual Round Table Meeting which was held in Cape Town, South Africa from the 6th to 8th October, 2026 as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Prof. A. Murwira. The annual conference ran under the theme: “The Future of Africa: Innovate, Trade, and Grow,” and Zimbabwe’s participation sought to strengthen regional economic integration, and to buttress the country’s position as the primary strategic trade gateway within SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The principal outcomes of the Roundtable included convergence on practical tracking of digital trade across the continent covering monitoring border clearance hours at Beitbridge and Chirundu; expanding the use of paperless trade certificates; increasing local currency settlements; fostering digital system links between neighbouring custom platforms; and ensuring formal trade inclusion for small and medium enterprises, women and youths.
I THANK YOU
