Week 6

A weekly selection from Zimbabwean newspapers

Nearly half of Zimbabwean women suffer from GBV

Nearly half of Zimbabwean women have experienced gender-based violence (GBV), with many suffering abuse at the hands of those closest to them, European Union (EU) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann has said. 

Speaking after a HeForShe march against GBV recently held in Harare, Kirchmann said 42.5% of women in the country have been subjected to some form of GBV, which shows a deep-rooted crisis that continues to affect families and communities. 

“The numbers are alarming, 42.5% of women in Zimbabwe experience GBV, often at the hands of those closest to them. That means almost every second woman you see here today has experienced GBV. 

“Today, we are not just marching, we are making a statement. A statement that GBV has no place in our homes, workplaces, communities, or public spaces,” Kirchmann said. 

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The horses have bolted

 The country’s largest retailer by outlet, OK Zimbabwe, has to date shut down five branches in response to a tough environment that has seen increased stockouts.  

Government last week announced a raft of measures which include mandatory use of point-of-sale machines by all informal traders in a last ditch attempt to rescue the formal retail sector that is on the brink of collapse. 

The measures also include adoption of international best practices on tax payment, which ensures every eligible taxpayer complies, a pledge to level  the playing field between formal and informal businesses by discouraging manufacturers from supplying directly to end users and the informal market. 

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The futility of Zimbabwe’s crackdown on the informal sector

In a desperate bid to rein in the rapid informalization of the economy, authorities have introduced new measures designed to level the playing field between formal and informal businesses.  

Yet, history provides a compelling argument that these efforts will be as ineffective as previous attempts. 

The informal sector has become the dominant force in Zimbabwe’s economy, fueled by years of economic decline, company closures, and an increasingly unstable currency.  

While formal retailers such as OK Zimbabwe, Spar, Choppies, and NR Richards struggle with near-empty shelves and dwindling customer numbers, informal traders thrive by exploiting regulatory loopholes.  

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SADC Heads of States snub Extraordinary Summit on escalating DRC conflict

Only seven Heads of States and Government attended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit aimed at tackling the worsening conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Of the 15-member regional body, those who attended are Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, Duma Boko of Botswana, Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekani, Tanzanian President Sahamia Suluh, Madagascan President Andry Rajeolina, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and host President Emmerson Mnangagwa. 

Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia attended virtually while other countries including DRC sent representatives. 

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Teen pregnancy, child marriage: Over 140 schoolgirls drop out in Manicaland

At least 140 girls from 76 secondary schools in Buhera, Manicaland province, failed to continue with their education this year after either falling pregnant or being married off, a local teachers union has revealed.  

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) programmes coordinator Leonard Mabasa told stakeholders during a consultative meeting in Harare that the statistics were worrisome.  

This comes at a time when gender activists have raised red flags over the escalating cases of violence against women at learning institutions.  

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Formal retailers in Zimbabwe struggle as consumers migrate to informal shops 

Formal retailers and wholesalers in Zimbabwe are experiencing a decline in customer traffic as consumers increasingly prefer informal shops, which offer more affordable and convenient shopping options. 

Several established chain stores in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, have recently ceased operations or scaled down their business due to competition from the informal sector. 

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Experts urge govt to revive dams for maximum rainwater harvesting

Zimbabwe has endured a severe dry spell over the past two years, induced by El Niño. However, despite the improved rainfall this year, concerns have arisen over the loss of large amounts of water through surface runoff. 

Thandazani Mkhwananzi, an agricultural technical expert from ORAP, explained how the government can utilize catchment management to extend dam lifespans and improve water collection during the rainy season. 

“There is a need to rehabilitate or replace dams that have silted up. When a dam is constructed, a process called catchment management is implemented, where a site is selected, and conservation measures are put in place to ensure the dam’s longevity,” Mkhwananzi explained. 

“In rural areas, farmers are advised to use techniques such as infiltration pits, contour plowing, tied ridges, and mulching. These methods are effective in retaining water in the soil and minimizing its loss through evaporation,” he said. 

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US judge temporarily blocks Trump from freezing federal funding | Reuters

Judge suspends freeze of federal grants, loans and other financial assistance 

Ruling comes at behest of Democratic state attorneys general 

Judge says Trump does not have ‘limitless power’ to pause all funds 

Jan 31 (Reuters) – A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration from freezing federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance at the urging of Democratic state attorneys general who said the Republican’s policy would jeopardize critical government-funded services. 

The ruling by U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, came at the behest of Democratic attorneys generals from 22 states and the District of Columbia and despite the White House saying it was rescinding Monday’s memo from its budget office detailing the policy. 

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Zim 635% annual inflation rate topped global charts in 2024: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate reached 635,31% last year, the highest in the world amid growing ZiG volatility.

Zimbabwe led all the nations, followed by Argentina with an annual inflation rate of 229,8%, Sudan (200,1%), South Sudan (120,6%), and Turkiye (60,9%) rounding up the top five globally.

Local authorities have abandoned reporting the annual inflation rate because the ZiG currency was introduced in April, thus, such reports are expected to resume starting this April.

The ZiG’s volatility is causing the inflationary pressure and is now affecting US dollar pricing.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the greenback month-on-month inflation rate rose 10,9 percentage points to 11,5% this month as firms are using this currency to cover for the ZiG volatility.

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Govt moves to formalise informal sector (The Herald, state owned)

Government will soon announce a raft of measures to support the survival of the formal sector and ensure the informal sector complies with legal requirements such as tax compliance, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.

This comes as retailers have raised concerns over the unregulated informal sector, which they argue offers goods at much lower prices, largely because it operates outside compliance with statutory obligations such as registration, taxes, licensing fees and labour laws.

In an interview in Harare yesterday, Prof Ncube said the reason why retailers were under pressure was due to increased informalisation of the economy, and rampant smuggling.

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Mnangagwa taken for a ride; Information Ministry and Perm Sec Mangwana pull down social media posts on Chikumbutso’s “fake invention”

In a rather embarrassing move, Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary for Information, and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services have deleted all their posts on X celebrating Maxwell Chikumbutso’s supposed groundbreaking technology at State House.

It seems they have realised that the inventor may have taken them for a mug, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chikumbutso’s ‘inventions’ including the Saith FEV car, a hypersonic energy device, and motorbike designs powered by radio frequencies were paraded at State House on Wednesday. Mnangagwa had to cut short his national leave and rushed to the State House to see the inventions, showering praise on Chikumbutso.

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Trump administration funding freeze blocked by federal judge – ABC News

Trump administration rescinds order to freeze federal funding 

After days of questions and legal challenges, the White House rescinded its directive that sought to pause trillions in funding that could have affected millions of Americans. 

A federal judge in Rhode Island has formally blocked the Trump administration’s spending freeze, saying in an order this afternoon that the funding freeze is likely a violation of the Constitution. 

“During the pendency of the Temporary Restraining Order, Defendants shall not pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate Defendants’ compliance with awards and obligations to provide federal financial assistance to the States, and Defendants shall not impede the States’ access to such awards and obligations, except on the basis of the applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms,” Judge John McConnell Jr. wrote. 

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