Online Reporter
We publish here the 26th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) currently holds 135 896 tonnes of grain.
Of this total, 70 666 tonnes is wheat, with the remainder consisting of maize, traditional grains, and imported Genetically Modified Maize.
As of September 2, 2025, 8.3 percent of the total marketed grain has been received by the GMB. This is a decrease from the 12.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2024. Total marketed grain amounts to 840 562 tonnes
A total of 354.8 million kg of tobacco have been sold, an increase from 231,8 million kilograms sold during the same period in 2024.
Cotton sales have reached 28 205 407kg, up from 13 551 021kg in 2024.
A total of 122 566 hectares of wheat have been planted, surpassing the 120 000 hectare target.
There is sufficient manpower, vehicles, sprayers, and chemicals to manage quelea bird outbreaks, and local district first-response teams have been activated.
Review of licenses, permits, levies and fees in the transport sector
Cabinet has approved a review of licenses, permits, levies, and fees in the transport sector. This action aligns with a previous Cabinet decision on July 29, 2025, which approved business reforms across 12 economic sectors.
The goal of this review is to lower the cost of doing business, enhance competitiveness, and promote economic growth in Zimbabwe.
Regulatory overlaps and duplications have been streamlined, and unnecessary levies and fees have been removed or lowered for various transport sub-sectors, including passenger transport, haulage and cargo, taxi services, and other services such as tobacco transportation and boating.
Cross-cutting fees with a broad impact beyond the transport sector have also been reviewed. These include vehicle registration and licensing by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) and Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA), vehicle change of ownership by CVR, ZINARA, and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), and parking fees charged by Local Authorities.
The US$23 000 duty on transit fuel payable to ZIMRA will be scrapped immediately. The relevant Statutory Instrument will be repealed.
The 2025 to 2026 Seasonal Rainfall Forecast
According to the Meteorological Services Department, the 2025-2026 rainfall season is expected to be largely similar to the 2024-2025 season.
A delayed and erratic start is predicted, with dry conditions in October and November, particularly in the northern provinces.
Southern and western regions may experience normal to above-normal rainfall early in the season.
National rainfall is expected to improve from December onwards, although northern areas may become dry again later in the season.
This variability necessitates proactive risk management, such as delayed planting for dryland farmers, water conservation, and preparedness for both dry spells and extreme weather events like floods.
The Meteorological Services Department will provide monthly updates to the seasonal predictions, in addition to daily and 10-day weather forecasts.
Update on the Implementation of the Ban on Alluvial Mining on Banks of Degraded Rivers
Enforcement of Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024 is ongoing, with most provinces showing significant progress in stopping alluvial mining.
Attention has shifted to the rehabilitation of degraded sites. The “polluter pays principle” will be applied, holding the perpetrators liable for rehabilitation costs.
Appropriate regulations will be developed to strengthen the “polluter pays principle”.
Legislative reform will be expedited to ensure environmental justice and accountability.
No alluvial mining sites needing rehabilitation were found in Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Bulawayo, or Harare Metropolitan provinces.
The Government will continue to heighten monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement mechanisms.
Reports on Priority Projects for the Second 100-Day Cycle of 2025
Under the Social Protection and Moving the Economy up the Value Chain and Economic Growth and Stability Thematic Areas of the National Development Strategy 1, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa reported the following achievements:
The Hauna fruit and vegetable processing plant in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province, has begun operations.
24 beneficiaries in the Cynara Dairy Cooperative in Mutasa District received dairy livestock.
Funds were disbursed to 31 micro, small and medium enterprises across all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.
Food processing and metal fabrication plants for Small and Medium Enterprises were re-tooled in all provinces.
138 micro, small and medium enterprises were facilitated to gain exposure to local and regional markets.
Construction of the Chikomba Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Hub in Chikomba District, Mashonaland East Province, is underway.
Under the Governance pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu, acting for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, reported the following progress:
Passport services have been decentralized to the Zim-London Embassy in the United Kingdom.
An Online Border Management System is nearing completion.
A Smart Traffic Management System has been deployed in Harare, beginning with 20 sites.
50 police stations have been capacitated with communication gadgets.
An electronic case management system has been implemented at Warren Park Police Station.
Under the Youth, Sport and Culture pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage established the following:
The Nechombo Community Archive in Mashonaland East Province.
The Sikombela Monument Museum in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province.
The Altena Farm Monument in Centenary District, Mashonaland Central Province.
Construction of a clinic in the Chimusasa area of Nyanga District, Manicaland Province, and a classroom block at Kundayi High School in Concession, Mazowe District.
Constructing a new Administration Block for the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Nembudziya Growth Point.
Under the Youth, Sport and Culture pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire reported the following progress:
The 33rd session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe was successfully held on June 20, 2025, at the Parliament of Zimbabwe in Mt Hampden.
A girls’ hostel is being constructed at Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province.
The Sivomo Vocational Training Centre is 60 percent complete.
The Kadoma Vocational Training Centre is 30 percent complete.
A National Youth Empowerment Symposium was convened.
Update on preparations for the 18th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo 2025
The 18th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo will be hosted in Manicaland Province for the first time in its 18-year history, at the recently renovated Mutare Sports Club.
The event will be held from today until Friday, under the theme “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development-Our Future”.
The refurbishment of the Grand Reef Airport, which had been idle since 1980, has enabled direct air travel to Mutare and facilitated the reintroduction of Air Zimbabwe flights between Harare and Mutare.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe has also refurbished the Harare-Mutare rail network.
Road networks have been rehabilitated by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
To date, 83 companies from 20 countries have confirmed their participation as buyers and exhibitors, including those from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, China, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
12 local companies will also participate, engaging directly with international buyers. The Expo will feature a total of 420 exhibitors. The official opening ceremony will be held today.
Other planned activities include road shows, a Tourism Investment Conference, a welcome reception for buyers, media, and exhibitors, Buyers Night Life Tours, and the Tourism Scholastica Conference.
Legislative Programme
Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa and the Zimbabwe on cooperation in the field of social development
Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Zimbabwe and South Africa for cooperation in social development.
The MoU will provide a framework for addressing issues such as substance abuse, including rehabilitation and psychosocial support.
It will also cover community reintegration for victims of alcohol and drug abuse, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, and social protection for vulnerable groups, including children.
Other areas of cooperation include child protection in emergencies, alternative care and adoption, social aspects of HIV and AIDS, support for older persons, capacity building for social welfare professionals, and the operations of non-profit organisations.
