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  Harare, Zimbabwe – The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has called on the City Council to prioritize the repair and upgrading of the city’s drainage system to mitigate the risk of flooding and waterborne diseases. CHRA Director, Reuben Akili, emphasized the need for urgent action during an interview on CapitalK’s Exchange Program yesterday. He noted that the city’s drainage system has been neglected, leading to severe flooding on major roads, including Julius Nyerere Way, Rezende Street, and Chinhoyi Street. Akili expressed concern that illegal settlers are disproportionately affected by flooding, and that the lack of proper drainage maintenance exacerbates the severity of flooding. He also highlighted the risk of waterborne diseases, which pose a significant threat to public health. The CHRA has urged the City Council to take immediate action to address the issue and prevent future flooding.

By Online Desk Acting President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga has paid tribute to three late national heroes Major-General (Retired) Solomon Siziba, Chenhamo “Chen” Chakezha Chimutengwende and Ambassador John Shumba Mundura. Speaking during the burial ceremony at the National Heroes Acre in Harare this Wednesday, Acting President Chiwenga expressed condolences to the families of the departed heroes on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the government, ZANU PF party, and his own family.   Acting President Dr. Chiwenga “We gather to lay to rest 3 gallant sons of the soil,” Acting President Chiwenga said, as he began his eulogy. “On behalf of the President, my Commander in Chief, Government, our party ZANU PF, my family and on my own behalf I wish to express my condolences to the three families,” he said. Acting President Chiwenga praised the veterans of the liberation struggle and the ruling party for their presence, acknowledging the media fraternity’s role in sharing the life histories of the late heroes. “To the veterans of the liberation struggle and ruling party we appreciate your presence. We appreciate the media fraternity in outlining the life history of our departed Heroes and distributing the stories in the public domain,” he said. Acting President Chiwenga emphasized the importance of staying true to the nation’s interests, warning against corruption and shady deals that hinder progress towards Vision 2030. “We can only realize Vision2030 by staying away from deeds and misconducts that go against our National interests, these include corruption and shady deals,” he cautioned. He stressed that each generation has a duty to take the nation forward, leaving a wholesome legacy for future generations. “It is the duty of each generation to take our nation forward. Each generation must leave a wholesome legacy for the generation that is coming after them,” Acting President Chiwenga said. The Acting President noted that the late heroes left behind their righteousness, sacrifices, and selfless legacy, rather than material possessions. “No one amongst the three Heroes carries to the world beyond material things but their righteousness, they leave behind their sacrifices and selfless legacy,” he said. Acting President Chiwenga reiterated President Mnangagwa’s mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (Our country will be developed by its own people), emphasizing the need for national unity and a collective effort to defend and develop the country. “H.E President Mnangagwa gave us the mantra Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, no one will defend our country besides ourselves,” he said. The Acting President also emphasized the need to shun corruption and shady deals. “A loud and clear no to corruption which sabotages our goal to develop comes from us,” he said. In conclusion, Acting President Chiwenga bid farewell to the late heroes, promising to work hard and defend what they fought for. “To the 3 late Heroes go well sons of the soil. We promise to work hard and defend what you fought for,” he said

By Talent Hwari The Zimbabwe Government has announced the dates for the 114th edition of the Harare Agriculture Show. According to Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere the 114th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show will be held from August 26th to 31st.” Addressing journalists during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare, Dr. Muswere revealed that “208 exhibitors have already registered for commercial exhibitions.” He added, “Exhibitors from Pakistan, Japan, the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, and Turkey have shown interest in participating in this year’s show.” The Show Society has partnered with various stakeholders to host business interfaces, including the Environment Social and Governance Breakfast Conference, the 12th Annual National Agribusiness Conference, the Ambassadors Interface, and the Research for Agricultural Policy Influence Conference. Dr. Muswere noted, “The Show Society has partnered with several stakeholders to host business interfaces…” The show will be officially opened on August 31st, and a lineup of artists and musicians will perform during the event. Dr. Muswere said, “The Show will be officially opened on Friday, August 31st, and a number of artists and musicians have been lined up to light up the event.” To improve convenience and security, turnstile and ticketing systems will be implemented, and CCTV cameras and drones will be used to ensure the safety and security of both exhibitors and visitors. Dr. Muswere emphasized, “Great emphasis has been put on safety and security of both exhibitors and visitors, with wider and more modern CCTV cameras having been installed, in addition to the use of drones.” This year’s edition of the show is themed “Cultivating Prosperity: Growing Business. Innovating for Change. Nurturing our Future” and will feature exhibitions on agri-produce, tobacco, cotton, livestock, and commercial products.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon says a renewable energy fund, with an initial 45 million US dollar injection has been established for Zimbabwe and designed to mobilize resources as well as facilitate investments in the energy sector. Speaking during an official opening of the 5th International Renewable Energy Conference and Expo in Victoria Falls recently Kallon said the flagship project was jointly developed by government and four United Nations development aid agencies. Speaking at the same event , Old Mutual Zimbabwe chief finance officer Takunda Mudekunye said his company has mobilized 10 million US dollars for the renewable energy fund. Zimbabwe is exploring various energy solutions including licencing independent power producers to boost the country’s electricity generation.

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) will begin rolling out e-tolling before the end of the year to improve efficiency, motorists’ convenience and reduce operational costs. E-tolling is a cashless system that allows road users to make payments for road use with card facilities or e-tags at toll gates, with payments being made without vehicles having to stop. The process does not require physical toll booths on the highways and the first pilot project is expected to run before the end of June this year. Plans are also afoot to upgrade three tollgates to toll plazas as the Second Republic moves to ease congestion and boost revenue collection. Giving an update on disbursement of funds in Harare yesterday, Zinara board chairman Dr George Manyaya said preparations for the roll out of e-tolling had moved a gear up.   “The recent coming into effect of SI 5 of 2023 which allows Zinara to upgrade and maintain tolling infrastructure as well as the environs is highly appreciated as it empowers the administration to effectively create a conducive business environment for its operations and now you can probe Zinara if you see potholes at tollgates. “The tender for e-tolling closed this month. This will see us rolling out e-tolling before year end and this modernisation effort will streamline toll collection, reduce waiting times and provide a more convenient and seamless experience for motorists. “This is highly appreciated as it empowers the administration to effectively create a conducive business environment for its operations.” For the year ended December 31, 2023, Zinara collected $868 billion against a revised budget of $768 billion. “As we continue to fund these key road projects, I urge our esteemed councils or rather road authorities to uphold the highest standards of quality,” Dr Manyaya said. “The works we deliver must be durable, reflecting the trust and investment of the Zimbabwean people. As you may be aware, the country suffered a significant road infrastructure maintenance gap which, as the new Zinara board, we are working flat out to ensure that we recover from in the not-so-distant future. “We are therefore cognisant that the money that we collect and disburse for the core purposes of road maintenance may not be adequate for the job at hand.”

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister Sheillah Chikomo has called for an equitable global trading system, and an end to the use of coercive measures against developing countries.Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing World Trade Organisation 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates yesterday , the Deputy Minister said imposition of sanctions has a severe impact on the trading capability and inclusion in global commerce.The conference is a key event in the WTO calendar, and provides an opportunity for member countries to share their views on trade issues and work towards finding solutions to challenges facing the global economy.

Major roads in Harare have been closed for massive rehabilitation ahead of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit scheduled to be held in Harare in August.At least 40 greater roads in and around the city have been lined up for the rehabilitation exercise which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.Yesterday, there was congestion on the capital city’s major roads like Julius Nyerere, Samora Machel Avenue, Abdel Gamal Nasser and Leopold Takawira Street as construction companies were hard at work.The roads infrastructure where the ministry shall apply asphaltic concrete overlay includes Samora Machel (Jaggers to Kuwadzana Roundabout), Dieppe roundabout, Glenara/Samora junction, Glenara/ED Mnangagwa Road, Chiremba (through Braeside), Robert Mugabe/Abdel Gamal Nasser, Josiah Tongogara, Harare Drive roundabout Jaggers, Lomagundi Road (selected sections), Simon Muzenda Street/Robert Mugabe junction to Tongogara Road, and Simon Muzenda Street/Robert Mugabe junction to Tongogara Road.In a statement, the ministry confirmed the developments and said they anticipate the procurement process for the Greater Harare Roads to be concluded and works to commence before March 31, 2024.“The Republic of Zimbabwe shall be hosting the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit in August this year,” reads the statement.“As part of the preparatory works, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is tasked with constructing and rehabilitating road infrastructure to facilitate efficient and smooth flow of the delegates and the citizenry during the summit. The ministry has initiated a procurement process for the above Greater Harare roads to engage the contractors that are compliant under Category A to participate in the tender through competitive bidding to ensure that there is value for money.“The SADC Summit roads construction works include the urban section of the Harare-Chirundu Road project from Julius Nyerere Way to Westgate traffic circle (Second Street and Lomagundi Road), which is being rehabilitated, widened, and dualised and includes street lighting and landscaping.“The ministry has directed the contractor apportioned that section on the Harare-Chirundu Road project, Fossil Contracting, to immediately prioritise the works for completion on or before July 31, 2024.”The ministry said the Harare-Chirundu Road was approved by Cabinet last year in May and the groundbreaking ceremony was done on February 2, 2024.Furthermore, the ministry has also directed Exodus and Company which is implementing the Harare-Kanyemba Road Project to prioritise the urban section from the Lomagundi intersection with Second Street to the new Parliament Boulevard main access.