Online Reporter
We publish here the 19th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
Cabinet noted and approved the Update on the Status of Independence Day Commemorations and Children’s Party Legacy Projects Across Provinces, as well as the Proposed Venue for the 46th Independence Day and 2026 Children’s Party.
The Government has made significant strides in implementing legacy projects initiated during Independence Day and Children’s Party celebrations across various provinces.
The Government remains committed to replicating this initiative in the remaining provinces as they take turns hosting the national Independence Day and Children’s Party celebrations. The projects include clinics, bridges, schools, roads and supporting infrastructure under a strategy to ensure sustainable development in the host province and thereby transform livelihoods in communities.
In this regard, a budget of US$2,5 million was approved to finalise outstanding works in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces. Additionally, US$32,5 million will be disbursed to support legacy projects in Midlands Province, ensuring completion.
Regarding the 46th Independence Day and Children’s Party celebrations, Cabinet has approved Maphisa open space in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province, to host the event.
This strategic selection leverages Maphisa’s profound historical significance and multifaceted benefits. Notably, the event will catalyse infrastructure development, including the rehabilitation of key roads such as the Gwanda-Maphisa and Bulawayo-Maphisa roads.
The Bulawayo-Maphisa Road will be extended to Mphoengs on the border with Botswana in order to ensure regional connectivity, fostering economic growth and promoting social cohesion.
PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE 2ND 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2025
Cabinet considered and approved the priority projects for the 2nd 100-Day Cycle of 2025.
A total of 213 projects were submitted for implementation under the 2nd 100-Day cycle, which commenced May 15 and ends on August 23. The selected priority projects are strategic and should meaningfully contribute to the expeditious implementation of National Development Strategy 1: 2021-2025 in pursuit of Vision 2030 aspirations.
These projects were selected based on the 100-Day cycle set criteria and are citizen-centric, of high impact and can be implemented rapidly at low risk.
Of the 213 projects that were submitted, a total of 78 projects are ongoing and the rest are new. The projects are distributed across the 25 ministries and provinces as follows:
Bulawayo, 37;
Harare, 65;
Mashonaland Central, 42;
Mashonaland East, 50;
Mashonaland West, 48;
Masvingo, 47;
Manicaland, 60;
Midlands, 54;
Matabeleland North, 58; and
Matabeleland South, 50.
Some projects are replicated in more than one province.
A total of 89 projects are derived from the resolutions of the ZANU PF 21st National People’s Conference, while five are from the Binga Development Initiatives. Two projects are emanating from Memoranda of Understanding which Zimbabwe signed with the People’s Republic of China.
Monitoring of the projects will be continuous and will include site visits, validation and the use of e-monitoring platforms such as the Executive Electronic Dashboard (EED), which is now linked to the Whole-of-Government Performance Management System. A performance report will be compiled at the end of the cycle to highlight progress.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2025 HEROES DAY COMMEMORATIONS AND DEFENCE FORCES DAY CELEBRATIONS
Cabinet considered and approved the update on preparations for the 2025 Heroes Day commemorations and Defence Forces Day celebrations.
The Government is gearing up for the 2025 Heroes Day Commemorations, which are scheduled for Monday, August 11, 2025. The main event will take place at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, with provincial commemorations being held concurrently across the country. Preparations have already commenced, including the compilation of an updated list of national heroes and heroines, with 222 families expected to attend the main event.
The Defence Forces Day celebrations will be held at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on August 12 under the theme “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing a Conducive Environment for the Attainment of Vision 2030”.
The day will feature a range of activities, including a community assistance week, a military parade, military displays, and entertainment by selected groups. A soccer match between the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select Team and a regional team is also planned.
PROPOSED HONOURS AND AWARDS FOR 2025
Cabinet considered and approved the Proposed Honours and Awards for 2025.
The Government has shortlisted three exceptional individuals for conferment with honours and awards at this year’s ceremony, which will coincide with the National Heroes Day commemorations.
The recipients include Dr Vladimir Shubin, former head of the Africa section of the Soviet Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee, who will receive the Royal Order of Munhumutapa; Chidhudhu Innocent, a teenager who bravely rescued two children from a burning house in Bindura, who will be awarded the Silver Cross of Zimbabwe; and Dr Madeline Nyamwanza, the first female African Medical Doctor in Zimbabwe, who will receive the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Commendation Award for Service in Human Capital Development.
In line with Government’s commitment to recognising the contributions of veterans of the liberation struggle, 2 000 eligible veterans will be conferred with Independence Medals through the respective Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
Additionally, eligible civil servants who have rendered distinguished service will be gazetted and issued with medals in phases, ensuring that their contributions are also duly recognised.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PATHWAYS TO REINTEGRATION FOUNDATION
Cabinet considered and approved the establishment of the pathways to reintegration foundation.
The Government is facilitating the establishment of the foundation, a Private Voluntary Organisation to superintend the reintegration process. It will augment the efforts by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service through innovative and comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives.
The foundation will partner with the private sector, local and international organisations in the development of programmes that meet the needs of inmates and ex-inmates being supported by prison officers and the community.
The establishment of the foundation is being inspired by similar successful initiatives in other jurisdictions such as Nigeria, Singapore, the United States and Fiji. The foundation is premised on Unhu/Ubuntu, a principle that encourages collaborative efforts to dismantle stigma, facilitate successful reintegration and ultimately build a more inclusive and harmonious society for all.
The philosophy emphasises compassion, mutual respect and community support, advocating for a holistic approach to justice that seeks not only to reform individuals but also to heal societal wounds. The foundation will have four cluster-based programmes intended for inmates, ex-inmates, communities and correctional officers. The programmes will cover the following content: primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education; Community Engagement and Education; Wellness, Mental Health and Psycho-social Support; Job Placement and Entrepreneurship Support; Digital Education and E-learning; and the Parole System. The programmes will be aligned to global best practices to promote rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates and ex-inmates.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
Under the Legislative Programme, Cabinet considered and approved the Biological and Toxin Weapons Crimes Bill, 2025. The main objective of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Crimes Bill is to prohibit the development, production, manufacture, possession, stockpiling, importation, exportation, transportation transit, trans-shipment, transfer or use of certain biological agents and toxins and of biological weapons.
The Bill will provide for the implementation in Zimbabwe of the United Nations Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction of April 10, 1972, and the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare of June 17, 1925, under the auspices of the League of Nations.
Under provisions of the Bill, it will be an offence for any person to encourage, assist, counsel, procure, incite, facilitate or finance the use in any way of biological agents, toxins or weapons. The Bill further provides for the licensing of biological agents or toxins for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes. Any failure to comply with the conditions of the issued licence will constitute an offence.
REPORT ON PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA’S ATTENDANCE AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN MOZAMBIQUE
Cabinet received and noted the report on the attendance at the 50th Independence Day celebrations in Maputo, Mozambique by His Excellency the President.
President Mnangagwa attended Mozambique’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations in Maputo, Mozambique on June 25. The celebrations were held under the theme “50 Years of Independence: Consolidating National Unity, Peace and Sustainable Development”.
The major highlights of the celebrations were the laying of wreaths at the monument of Mozambican heroes, the lighting of the eternal flame, and the solidarity message by the Guest of Honour and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo presided over the celebrations that were also attended by delegations from the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, South Africa, Guinea Bissau and Portugal, among others. President Mnangagwa’s presence at the celebrations affirmed and solidified the excellent relations between the two sister republics.
REPORT ON THE 113TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE
Cabinet received and noted the report on the 113th session of the International Labour Organisation.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Minister Edgar Moyo led a Zimbabwe tripartite delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland from June 2 to 13, 2025, during which he ascended to the presidency of the conference. Zimbabwe was the vice president to the conference at the 112th session in 2024.
The minister, as the president, presided over the opening and closing sessions, the plenary sessions on the director-general’s report, the chairperson of the governing body and the high-level forum on the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
The Zimbabwe tripartite delegation also held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 113th session of the conference with the following: director of International Labour Standards, Ms Corinne Vargha; director of Employment, Mr Sangheon Lee; director of ILO Training Centre, Mr Christopher Perrin; dDirector of Governance and Tripartism, Ms Vera Paquete-Perdigao; Minister of Labour, Qatar; and the Minister of Labour, Uganda. Zimbabwe also signed a memorandum of understanding with Malawi in the fields of labour and employment thereby enhancing cooperation.
REPORT ON THE 8TH SESSION OF THE GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Cabinet received and noted the report on the 8th session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Local Government and Public Works, Minister Daniel Garwe led a Zimbabwe delegation to the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Geneva, Switzerland from June 2 to 6, 2025, under the theme “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today”.
The platform, where participants took stock of progress, shared new knowledge and latest developments, discussed new trends in reducing disaster risk, and exchanged best practices was attended by over 3 000 in-person participants from 164 countries, with nearly 600 participants joining online.
The minister participated in three high-level ministerial roundtable discussions on rebuilding resilient communities, housing reconstruction and critical infrastructure readiness; roundtable on progress of the G20 disaster risk eduction working group under the Presidency of South Africa; and safe schools now, protecting every child from disaster and climate risk. The minister highlighted Zimbabwe’s National Human Settlements Policy which came up with affordable and resilient building mechanisms to different communities in the country.
The minister also underscored the importance of regional integration in dealing with trans-boundary hazards, and on the right of each child to thrive in safe, inclusive environments.
