Trading on Parole – ZIMRA’s 30-Day Leash on the Economy

ZIMRA’s proposal to introduce a monthly renewable Tax Clearance Certificate (ITF 263) from January 2026 is being sold as modern, dynamic compliance. In reality, it is regulatory overreach that confuses bureaucratic control with sound fiscal policy and risks choking the very economy it seeks to tax.

From an economic perspective, the flaw is clear. Development economics warns of the compliance cost hypothesis: when the cost of obeying the law rises too high, rational actors exit the formal system. Shifting clearance from an annual or quarterly cycle to a monthly one is not a marginal tweak; it hyper-inflates compliance costs. Large corporates absorb this through compliance teams. Micro and small enterprises, which dominate Zimbabwe’s economy, cannot. Time spent navigating TaRMS, reconciling filings, and chasing monthly clearances is time stolen from production and trade – a deadweight loss to GDP.
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The “Nandos Guy” Visits VP Chiwenga and Col. Baloyi

Colonel Minnie Baloyi and her husband, VP Rtd. General Chiwenga, were delighted to welcome Edwin Brisco Chisango, the “Nandos Guy,” and his wonderful wife to their home this past Sunday.

Edwin proved true to his kind word, bringing the promised funds budgeted for their Nandos meal, although he humorously declined the suggestion from some well-wishers to increase the contribution to $50. The couple were thoroughly pleased with the outcome.

He shared entertaining anecdotes of the public reaction to his initial offer, including the jesting messages and even temporary security concerns that led him to briefly block his social media account. Despite the lively commotion, the meeting was a great success and a pleasure for everyone involved.

Unity Day Reality Check: ZANUPF Is Not Divided.

As Zimbabwe marks Unity Day on 22 December, detractors are once again recycling the tired claim that ZANUPF is divided and unstable. The claim collapses on contact with reality. ZANUPF stands united, disciplined, and resolute – anchored in shared values, institutional strength, and an unwavering commitment to national development.

The Party’s cohesion is visible in its orderly programmes, mature leadership, and well-coordinated structures. Attempts by opposition figures and online commentators to manufacture internal divisions have failed completely, exposing not cracks within ZANUPF, but the political bankruptcy of its critics. Social-media noise has not translated into real influence, and it never will. More …

President Mnangagwa Chairs Final 2025 Cabinet Meeting, Sets Stage for NDS-2

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa today chaired the final Cabinet Calendar Meeting for 2025 at State House in Harare, marking the close of a year characterised by resilience, reform, and steady progress in national development.

In his address, the President thanked Cabinet ministers for their service, commitment, and collective dedication to advancing Government priorities throughout the year. He commended the effectiveness and responsiveness of Cabinet work in 2025, while urging members to further improve attendance, prioritise Cabinet business, and uphold the highest standards of responsibility befitting national leadership. More …

Harare Waste Management Upgrade as Geo Pomona Equipment Unveiled

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa today commissioned refuse collection vehicles and waste management equipment at the Geo Pomona Waste Management facility, commending the strong collaboration between Government, the City of Harare, and Geo Pomona in delivering a practical and forward-looking waste management solution for the capital.

He noted that the initiative will significantly enhance Harare’s capacity to manage waste efficiently, contributing to the city’s transformation into a modern, clean, and well-managed urban centre in line with the growth and development being driven under the Second Republic. The President emphasised that environmental protection and urban cleanliness are vital to national wellbeing and require shared responsibility.

To reinforce sustained environmental stewardship, President Mnangagwa also announced the introduction of awards for local authorities that consistently observe National Clean-Up Fridays and actively participate in conservation programmes.

Tagwirei Sponsors Rome Pilgrimage for 62 Adventist Couples

In a deeply meaningful initiative that blended faith, history, and family life, Kudakwashe Tagwirei recently facilitated a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, for 62 married couples from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The journey was designed not merely as travel, but as an intentional space for couples to step away from daily pressures, reconnect with one another, and strengthen the spiritual and relational foundations of their marriages.

Immersed in Rome’s rich Christian heritage, the couples reflected together on shared values, commitment, and personal growth. The experience underscored a timeless truth: strong families are built deliberately, through shared faith, continuous investment in relationships, and a clear sense of legacy for future generations. It served as a powerful reminder that marriage, like faith, requires time, reflection, and renewal. More …

Africa’s Development Moment: Washington Retreats, Beijing Delivers – Africa Decides

A serious African policymaker reads grand strategy the way an economist reads a balance sheet: not for poetry, but for what it reveals about incentives, constraints, and future behaviour. On that test, the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) is unusually candid. It is not a manifesto of global stewardship; it is a clear blueprint for America First transactional bargaining, deploying trade, technology, and capital markets as tools of leverage for U.S. commercial advantage.

Start with the economic core. The NSS argues that America First diplomacy must “rebalance global trade relationships,” calls the U.S. current account deficit “unsustainable,” and urges allies to adopt policies that help absorb China’s “enormous excess capacity.” In the same breath it makes a striking admission: “China’s state-led and state-backed companies excel in building physical and digital infrastructure,” and China has recycled “perhaps $1.3 trillion” of trade surpluses into loans to trading partners. More …

Manicaland Told to Restart Co-Option Process After Procedural Breach

In a letter dated 11 December 2025, and signed by the ZANUPF National Political Commissar – Cde Munyaradzi Machacha, the Party formally nullified the co-option of Cde Dr. Paul Tungwarara into the Central Committee. The determination was made on the basis that the Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) did not adhere to the Legal Affairs Circular of 30 June 2025. That circular explicitly requires that any replacement must originate from the same district as the outgoing member – in this case, Chipinge.

Consequently, Manicaland Province has been directed to recommence the co-option process in full compliance with established Party procedures. Additionally, all forms of vote-buying or undue influence have been expressly prohibited until a legitimate and procedurally correct candidate is identified.

It is essential to underscore that Cde Paul Tungwarara remains a highly esteemed member of ZANUPF. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership through the Party’s Empowerment Initiatives, executed under the guidance of President E.D. Mnangagwa, whom he also serves as Special Advisor. His standing and contributions within the Party remain unquestionable, irrespective of the technical procedural issue that led to the nullification.

A Nation Forged in Gold by the Second Republic’s Empowerment Agenda

Zimbabwe’s mining sector has once again demonstrated the transformative power of the Second Republic. With two months still remaining in 2025, the nation has already surpassed its annual gold production target – an extraordinary milestone made possible by the deliberate, technically sound, and economically astute policies of President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

Recent figures from Fidelity Gold Refinery show that Zimbabwe produced 41.8 tonnes of gold in the first ten months of 2025, a 29 percent leap from last year’s performance, and already above the 40-tonne national target. Even more striking is the structural shift the President engineered: artisanal and small-scale miners now account for 74 percent of national gold output, delivering over 30 tonnes, up from 20 tonnes last year. This is empirical evidence of what smart formalisation, targeted incentives, and gold mobilisation policies can achieve when anchored in coherent governance. More …

Cde Murechu Shines at Nkulumane Debate as ZANUPF Momentum Builds

A spirited meet-the-candidate debate held at Nkulumane Hall on 10 December 2025 produced a strong and encouraging showing for ZANUPF’s Cde Freedom Murechu. With more than a thousand residents and supporters in attendance, the atmosphere reflected growing confidence in the ruling party’s leadership under President E.D. Mnangagwa and the Government’s ongoing development agenda. Audience reactions, including the enthusiastic post-event celebrations, signalled an electorate increasingly aligned with ZANUPF’s message of stability, continuity, and tangible progress. Other candidates included independent Rodney Jele, CCC’s Mothusi “Madlela” Ndlovu, and Esther Zitha, widow of the late Hon. Desire Moyo.

Cde Murechu distinguished himself through clarity, composure, and a strong command of policy issues. His intelligent and confident engagement with even the most difficult questions demonstrated leadership maturity and a deep understanding of community priorities. This intellectual steadiness mirrors the broader ethos of the Second Republic – disciplined, solutions-focused, and committed to delivering measurable improvements in people’s lives.
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