WHEN the government introduced a sugar tax on soft drinks in 2024, the aim was double-pronged — discouraging excessive sugar consumption while at the same time raising funds for healthcare improvements, particularly for cancer treatment. The importance of the sugar tax was underscored in Parliament recently by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in his 2025 mid-term…
THE growing traffic congestion in Harare’s central business district (CBD) is not an isolated issue, it is a symptom of a broader national crisis. The lack of an effective national public transport system has led to a surge in private vehicles on the roads, causing gridlock and chaos in cities and towns across Zimbabwe. Local…
LOCAL Government minister Daniel Garwe’s latest declaration banning second-hand clothing selling and night vending is nothing new. It is a déjà vu moment, with the same announcements made several times before, but with little to no enforcement. The question remains: What is different this time around? The reality is that the root causes of these…
THE recently concluded 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls marked a pivotal moment for global wetland conservation. Zimbabwe, as the host nation, has commendably set a strong precedent by pledging to restore 250 000 hectares of degraded wetlands by 2030 and identify…
THE recent surge in road traffic accidents in Zimbabwe is a stark reminder that the government must act swiftly to enact new traffic laws and fines to curb the carnage on our roads. With almost 500 lives lost already this year, the situation demands urgent attention. The government’s initiative to introduce hefty fines for traffic…
TWO years ago, American sportswriter Joseph McBride, writing for The Mirror, a United Kingdom publication, remarked that LA Galaxy’s signing of David Beckham in 2007 was the “defining moment in Major League Soccer (MLS) history.” He suggested the league might not be where it is today if it were not for the former England star….
THE ZRP deserves credit for arresting several suspects linked to seven armed robbery cases, including the audacious theft of US$500 000 cash in Harare central business district (CBD) on June 16, 2025. The arrested suspects allegedly masterminded cases of armed robbery, theft, and fraud in Harare, Gweru, Bulawayo, and Mutare. Impressively, these arrests materialised because…
THE announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture that over 5 000 resettled farmers have been issued with title deeds marks a significant, albeit incomplete, step towards unlocking the full potential of the country’s agricultural sector. Permanent secretary Obert Jiri rightly highlights the “game-changer” aspect of these bankable, transferable tenure documents, replacing the previously insecure A1…
AS Finance minister Mthuli Ncube rises in Parliament tomorrow to deliver the mid-term budget and economic review, the air will be thick with anticipation. From the bustling streets of Harare to the boardrooms of industry, a nation grappling with persistent economic challenges is looking to him for a lifeline. The ball, unequivocally, is in his…
ZIMBABWE stands at a critical juncture in its fight against rising armed crime. The announcement by national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi regarding a forthcoming gun amnesty in September, as reported by the Daily News yesterday, presents a crucial opportunity for the nation to collectively address the proliferation of illegal firearms. This initiative, championed by President…
