Online Reporter THE setting up of village business units (VBUs) across the country has intensified after contractors deployed teams to fast-track the construction of solar-powered boreholes in rural districts. Government plans to set up 10 000 VBUs by the end of the year to uplift the lives of communities, particularly in rural areas. Each VBU comprises one solar-powered borehole, two 10 000-litre storage tanks, one horticulture garden with drip irrigation and two fish ponds. In an interview with The Sunday Mail Online, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) chief executive officer, En ..read more

Online Reporter FARMERS delivering their harvest from last season’s tobacco harvest have already pocketed US$309 million during the last 30 days of the marketing season. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), 86 million kg of tobacco valued at US$309 million had been sold at an average price of US$3,58 by April 26, 2024. This shows a 19 percent increase from the US$102 million earned during the same period last year. Auction floors have taken delivery of 4 million kg, while contractors have contributed 81 million kg. The highest price achieved to date is US$6,99 per kg ..read more

Online Reporter PARENTS and guardians can pay school fees using the currency of their choice since Zimbabwe is operating under a multi-currency regime, Government has said. According to Circular No.10 of 2022 from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, school fees can also be paid in local currency, which is now referred to as the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). Schools are allowed to peg their fees in foreign currency, but if parents want to pay in local currency, they can use the prevailing official rate. The announcement comes ahead of schools opening for the second term on May 7. Director ..read more

Online Reporter AT least 33 fake doctors and tutors have been arrested at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals over the past three months, it has been learnt. The referral hospital also indicated that the recently arrested fake doctors did not manage any patient. In a statement on Tuesday, the hospital said the institution’s surveillance team picked the criminals. “In 2023 alone, 33 offenders were picked up by our security department. From January 2024 to date, 11 cases of this nature have been picked up by the same department and dealt with accordingly. “Bogus doctors and bogus tutors who extort ..read more

Emmanuel Kafe THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) will begin distributing the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) banknotes and coins to commercial banks tomorrow, with the public set to start withdrawing cash from their accounts on Tuesday morning. The central bank has since set weekly cash withdrawal limits at ZiG3 000 for individuals and ZiG30 000 for corporates to manage the initial roll-out. The new currency — backed by a combination of gold, precious minerals and foreign currency reserves — will start circulating in the market on Tuesday. Notably, all ZiG banknotes and coins were produced locally. I ..read more

Richard Muponde and Emmanuel Kafe ZIMBABWEANS will converge on the National Heroes Acre tomorrow for the historic burial of three national heroes — Cdes Nash Nyasha Dzimiri and Tsitsi Grace Jadagu, as well as Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha — who were recently accorded the prestigious status by President Mnangagwa. Transport has been mobilised from all provinces to afford people the opportunity to bid farewell to the national heroes. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Ambassador Raphael Faranisi said they were expecting a huge crowd ..read more

Fungi Kwaramba in BULAWAYO Bold decisions that have been taken by the Second Republic in key sectors of agriculture, mining and infrastructure development, as well as the introduction of a new currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), which is backed by minerals, will usher the country into a new era of prosperity, Kenyan President William Ruto said yesterday. Recognising the tortuous journey that Zimbabweans have traversed under illegal economic sanctions imposed by the West, President Ruto, who officially opened the 64th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), said since he stepped in ..read more

Mashudu Netsianda Bulawayo Bureau PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA and his Kenyan counterpart, Dr William Ruto, yesterday witnessed the signing of eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in Bulawayo aimed at enhancing cooperation, as the two sister countries seek to deepen their political and economic ties. The MoUs, negotiated in Harare last week during the fourth Zimbabwe/Kenya Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, are expected to strengthen diplomatic ties and bilateral relations between the two nations. The MoUs were signed by the respective ministers and heads of relevant Government departments ..read more

Tendai Rupapa in BULAWAYO CHILDREN must be disciplined and put to use the valuable teachings they receive from elders, President Mnangagwa has said. He made the remarks to students from tertiary institutions during an educative Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba session hosted by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on the sidelines of the 64th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo. President Mnangagwa also shared a lighter moment with the participants. The students at the annual showcase were delighted to meet the Head of State and Government and wore broad smiles as he spoke to them. Bo ..read more

Sunday Mail Reporter A PEACEFUL environment and low voter turnout marked National Assembly by-elections in Harare East and Mt Pleasant constituencies yesterday, as ZANU PF candidates faced off against independent contenders for both seats. The seats fell vacant after former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators Fadzayi Mahere (Mt Pleasant) and Allan Rusty Markham (Harare East) resigned from Parliament early this year. In Harare East, ZANU PF’s Cde Kevin Mutimbanyoka contested Ms Ropafadzo Cynthia Cheza. The ruling party’s Cde George Mashavave was pitted against Mr Nason Mamuse and M ..read more