POST CABINET BRIEFING: War Victims Compensation Bill approved

We publish here the 35th post Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.

The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare updated Cabinet on measures that are being taken to ensure that all food insecure people are assisted timeously. This is in light of the fact that the 2023-24 season was characterised by the El Nino-induced drought which caused grain shortages in some areas, while the 2024-25 agricultural season was marked by improved rains.

REPORT ON HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT DR CHIWENGA’S TOUR OF PROJECTS IN MATABELELAND NORTH PROVINCE

Cabinet was briefed on the tour of projects undertaken by Vice President Gen (Rtd) Dr CGDN Chiwenga in Matabeleland North Province from November 5 to 7, 2025.

The Vice President undertook on the tour of the projects to ascertain progress and ensure swift completion in order to realise sustainable socio-economic impact. The projects toured by the Vice President and his entourage are spread across the energy, agriculture, mining and agro-processing sectors, as follows:

Hwange Colliery Company Limited, Zhong Jin Heli Energy Power Station, Kamativi Lithium Mine and Gwayi-Shangani Dam Construction Site in Hwange District;
Bhulaayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga District;
Lupane Provincial Hospital in Lupane District;
Dollar Block Wildlife Sanctuary in Bubi District; and
National Foods Holdings in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

VP Chiwenga urged maximum utilisation of natural resources in order to enhance food security, employment creation and rural industrialisation in sync with the Rural Development 8.0 model which seeks to create a robust and sustainable agro-based economy.

He also called for the prioritisation of local value addition and beneficiation of mineral resources in order to ensure that maximum benefits accrue to the country.

REPORTS ON PRIORITY PROJECTS AS AT DAY 50 OF THE THIRD100-DAY CYCLE OF 2025

In terms of the thematic area of the National Development Strategy 1 on moving the economy up the value chain and Structural Transformation, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu highlighted the following achievements:

Rural and Urban Competitiveness Index surveys were conducted in 11 local authorities in Matabeleland and Mashonaland East provinces, and reports were produced;
The Mega Market Private Limited 1,6MW solar plant in Mutare has been completed and the Mega Market noodles manufacturing plant is well on course, with all plant equipment now on site and the company undertaking civil works;
The construction of the Jainqiang Cement plant in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province is in progress with the warehouse and brick wall for the ball mill having been completed;
Construction of Phase 1 of a shopping mall in Mutare, Manicaland Province is complete, with Phase 2 of the project now at 10 percent;
Construction of the retail superstructure for Spar Cardinals in Chisipite, Harare has been completed and the installation of refrigeration and other equipment is at 90 percent; and
Construction of Greenfields shopping mall in Harare is almost complete, with 80 percent of the targeted tenants having taken up business space.

Under the Economic Growth and Stability pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, Finance and Economic Development Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube presented the achievements under his purview. The following are some of the major highlights:

The revenue mobilisation target for August 2025 was exceeded by 6 percent;
Construction of 16 units of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Fairbridge staff cottages in Manicaland is 90 percent complete and the project is expected to be completed by December 2025, while the ZIMRA Chiredzi office is 96 percent complete;
the WENEKA housing development Phase 111 in Graniteside, Harare is complete;
The establishment of the Committee on Holistic Pension Reforms has been approved:
Eleven ministers, departments and agencies were trained in Enterprise Risk Management, and
The draft National Development Strategy 2 blueprint was validated and approved by Cabinet.

Under the Infrastructure and Utilities pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of State for National Security Lovemore Matuke presented the following achievements under the purview of the Rural Infrastructurel Development Agency:

Construction of Chadzire Bridge in Buhera, Manicaland Province is 70 percent complete;
Construction of the Kambanje Bridge in Mudzi District, Mashonaland East Province is 50 percent complete;
Construction of Pohwe Bridge, Gokwe South in Midlands Province is 55 percent complete; and
Construction of the Makugwe Bridge in Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province is 55 percent complete.

PRINCIPLES OF THE VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AMENDMENT BILL

Cabinet approved the principles of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Amendment Bill, which were presented by the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.

The objective of amending the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act [Chapter 17:12] is to enhance the welfare of beneficiaries, modernise the legislative framework and align the Act to the Constitution.

Under the proposed amendment, Botswana will be recognised among the liberation struggle transit camps through the revision of the definition of “non-combatant cadre”.

The amendment will also provide a clear framework for the exhumation, repatriation and dignified reburial of veterans who perished during the Liberation Struggle. Furthermore, the amendments will broaden access to benefits and recognition for eligible individuals and their dependants.

PRINCIPLES OF THE WAR VICTIMS COMPENSATION AMENDMENT BILL

Cabinet considered and approved the principles of the War Victims Compensation Bill, which seeks to improve the welfare of beneficiaries by establishing a dedicated War Victims Compensation Board to manage the affairs of war victims.

The establishment of the board is one of the pertinent recommendations of the Zimbabwe Commission of Inquiry into the Administration of the War Victims Compensation Act. The War Victims Compensation Act will also be aligned to the Constitution.

The amendment will further provide for the recognition of victims of unexploded wartime ordinance as eligible war victims. These are persons who were maimed or killed since 1980 by unexploded ordinances comprising high-explosive bombs, landmines, projectiles, mortars, grenades, and bullets.

The amendments will also seek to provide for the promotion of gender equality and fairness through elimination of gender bias within the provisions.

PRINCIPLES OF THE NATIONAL HEROES AMENDMENT BILL

Cabinet received and adopted the principles of the National Heroes Amendment Bill. The National Heroes Act [Chapter 11:16] is the primary legislation for recognising individuals as national heroes for their exceptional contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe.

The proposed amendments seek to enhance the welfare of the beneficiaries under the Act, and to refine the categories of heroes and heroines to more accurately reflect their diverse contributions to the nation.

The amendments will provide clear definitions of who constitutes “a national hero”; “a liberation war hero”; and “a liberation hero”.

WHISTLEBLOWERS AND WITNESS PROTECTION BILL,2025

Cabinet considered and approved the Whistleblowers and Witness Protection Bill, 2025.

The Bill provides a framework within which whistleblowers can disclose information regarding conduct inimical to the public interest without the whistleblower suffering any threat or harm, and also provides for the protection of witnesses.

The Bill further provides for the establishment of a Witness Protection Unit within the National Prosecuting Authority as well as a Witness Protection Appeal Tribunal.

THE DEPOSIT PROTECTION CORPORATION (AMENDMENT BILL) 2025

Cabinet considered and approved the Deposit Protection Corporation Amendment Bill, 2025.

The Amendment Bill seeks to align the Deposit Protection Corporation legislation with international best practice. It provides a regulatory framework on insolvency for troubled banking institutions, and empowers the Deposit Protection Corporation to act as a liquidator for failed contributory institutions.

The amendment will also incorporate microfinance institutions as contributory institutions and align the Deposit Protection Corporation Act to the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act.