🇿🇼🇦🇺 Search continues for missing Australian tourist in Zimbabwe
Authorities in Zimbabwe are continuing the search for an Australian tourist who was reported missing last Friday.
The authorities had earlier said that the 67-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, went missing on Friday in the rainforest inside the Victoria Falls National Park.
Authorities say a search to find him was launched the same day, with park rangers, police officers and ground trackers deployed to find him, aided by drones and sniffer dogs.
The tourist had been staying at a lodge near the park, and had told the lodge’s management he was going to visit the park before he went missing.
The authorities said the tourist had disappeared on 17 February and did not appear to have entered the forest.
#Zimbabwe #Australia
@africaintel
Authorities in Zimbabwe are continuing the search for an Australian tourist who was reported missing last Friday.
The authorities had earlier said that the 67-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, went missing on Friday in the rainforest inside the Victoria Falls National Park.
Authorities say a search to find him was launched the same day, with park rangers, police officers and ground trackers deployed to find him, aided by drones and sniffer dogs.
The tourist had been staying at a lodge near the park, and had told the lodge’s management he was going to visit the park before he went missing.
The authorities said the tourist had disappeared on 17 February and did not appear to have entered the forest.
#Zimbabwe #Australia
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Ex-Zimbabwe finance minister fined for verbal assault
Zimbabwean opposition politician and former finance minister Tendai Biti has been given a $300 fine and suspended six-month jail sentence after a magistrate found him guilty of verbal assault.
The court said he had shouted at a Russian businesswoman in 2020.
During the four year-long trial, witnesses testified that Biti - a top lawyer - advanced towards Tatiana Aleshina after a court hearing in 2020, and called her "stupid" and pointed a finger at her in a manner she believed was threatening.
Biti denied the accusation and had argued that the charge was not valid.
Biti’s lawyer Alec Muchadehama said they were extremely disappointed but not surprised by the sentence. They plan to appeal the charge and conviction.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwean opposition politician and former finance minister Tendai Biti has been given a $300 fine and suspended six-month jail sentence after a magistrate found him guilty of verbal assault.
The court said he had shouted at a Russian businesswoman in 2020.
During the four year-long trial, witnesses testified that Biti - a top lawyer - advanced towards Tatiana Aleshina after a court hearing in 2020, and called her "stupid" and pointed a finger at her in a manner she believed was threatening.
Biti denied the accusation and had argued that the charge was not valid.
Biti’s lawyer Alec Muchadehama said they were extremely disappointed but not surprised by the sentence. They plan to appeal the charge and conviction.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼💰 Zimbabwe needs predictable policy to support currency, World Bank says
Zimbabwe needs to make its fiscal and monetary policy more predictable to instill confidence in its depreciating currency, a senior World Bank official said.
It could make progress by moving away from the central bank's "quasi-fiscal operations", Victoria Kwakwa, the World Bank's Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, told.
She did not spell out what those operations were, but the IMF said last month the central bank should reduce its non-core activities, which have included printing money and borrowing to lend to the government.
The Zimbabwean dollar has lost more than 60% of its value against the U.S. dollar so far this year while annual inflation is at 47.6%, in a country still scarred by memories of hyperinflation under longtime former leader Robert Mugabe.
"That's at the heart of the problem, the fact that there hasn't been confidence," Kwakwa said.
#Zimbabwe #WorldBank
@africaintel
Zimbabwe needs to make its fiscal and monetary policy more predictable to instill confidence in its depreciating currency, a senior World Bank official said.
It could make progress by moving away from the central bank's "quasi-fiscal operations", Victoria Kwakwa, the World Bank's Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, told.
She did not spell out what those operations were, but the IMF said last month the central bank should reduce its non-core activities, which have included printing money and borrowing to lend to the government.
The Zimbabwean dollar has lost more than 60% of its value against the U.S. dollar so far this year while annual inflation is at 47.6%, in a country still scarred by memories of hyperinflation under longtime former leader Robert Mugabe.
"That's at the heart of the problem, the fact that there hasn't been confidence," Kwakwa said.
#Zimbabwe #WorldBank
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Funeral of Zimbabwe opposition activist takes place two years after her murder
Two years after she was brutally murdered, Zimbabwean opposition activist Moreblessing Ali was finally laid to rest in the town of Chitungwiza on the outskirts of Harare on Saturday.
Ali, a member of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) was abducted in 2022 outside a bar in Nyatsime, a neighbourhood of Chitungwiza.
Her body, which had been cut into pieces, was found two weeks later hidden in a well. Ali’s family had refused to bury her mutilated remains until Joe Sikhala, a top official and the family lawyer, was released.
He was arrested after saying she had been murdered by supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party and spent almost two year in pre-trial detention before being released in January after a magistrate handed him a suspended prison sentence.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Two years after she was brutally murdered, Zimbabwean opposition activist Moreblessing Ali was finally laid to rest in the town of Chitungwiza on the outskirts of Harare on Saturday.
Ali, a member of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) was abducted in 2022 outside a bar in Nyatsime, a neighbourhood of Chitungwiza.
Her body, which had been cut into pieces, was found two weeks later hidden in a well. Ali’s family had refused to bury her mutilated remains until Joe Sikhala, a top official and the family lawyer, was released.
He was arrested after saying she had been murdered by supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party and spent almost two year in pre-trial detention before being released in January after a magistrate handed him a suspended prison sentence.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇿🇼 US imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe's president, first lady and 9 top officials
The U.S. on Monday imposed sanctions on Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and 8 other senior officials.
The United States' Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control accuses the 11 individuals and 3 entities of being involved in corruption or serious human rights abuse.
Mnangagwa is accused of protecting gold and diamond smugglers who operate in Zimbabwe, directing government officials to facilitate the sale of gold and diamonds in illicit markets and taking bribes in exchange for his services, among other offenses.
The U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said they were being designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program.
The designations are part of a new sanctions policy towards Zimbabwe the United States is implementing following President Biden’s approval of a new Executive Order terminating the Zimbabwe sanctions program that had been in effect since 2003.
#USA #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
The U.S. on Monday imposed sanctions on Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and 8 other senior officials.
The United States' Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control accuses the 11 individuals and 3 entities of being involved in corruption or serious human rights abuse.
Mnangagwa is accused of protecting gold and diamond smugglers who operate in Zimbabwe, directing government officials to facilitate the sale of gold and diamonds in illicit markets and taking bribes in exchange for his services, among other offenses.
The U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said they were being designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program.
The designations are part of a new sanctions policy towards Zimbabwe the United States is implementing following President Biden’s approval of a new Executive Order terminating the Zimbabwe sanctions program that had been in effect since 2003.
#USA #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼🇺🇸 Zimbabwe condemns fresh "illegal and coercive" US sanctions
Zimbabwe's government has condemned fresh sanctions that the US imposed against the country's president and senior officials on Monday.
The US accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the others on its list of corruption and human rights abuses.
A spokesperson for President Mnangagwa on Wednesday said the accusations were "defamatory" and a "gratuitous slander" against Zimbabwe's leaders and people.
The new sanctions replaced a broader programme introduced two decades ago.
The deputy chief secretary in President Mnangagwa's communications team George Charamba demanded that the US promptly lift the "illegal coercive measures".
"We condemn these malicious statements as completely uncalled for, defamatory, provocative, and a continuation of wanton hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US government," he said.
#Zimbabwe #USA
@africaintel
Zimbabwe's government has condemned fresh sanctions that the US imposed against the country's president and senior officials on Monday.
The US accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the others on its list of corruption and human rights abuses.
A spokesperson for President Mnangagwa on Wednesday said the accusations were "defamatory" and a "gratuitous slander" against Zimbabwe's leaders and people.
The new sanctions replaced a broader programme introduced two decades ago.
The deputy chief secretary in President Mnangagwa's communications team George Charamba demanded that the US promptly lift the "illegal coercive measures".
"We condemn these malicious statements as completely uncalled for, defamatory, provocative, and a continuation of wanton hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US government," he said.
#Zimbabwe #USA
@africaintel
🇿🇼🇺🇸 Zimbabwe forcibly removed USAID officials on assessment mission, US says
The United States on Friday said Zimbabwean officials last month "abruptly detained and deported" U.S. Agency for International Development officials who had been in the country on an assessment mission.
The U.S. State Department said Zimbabwe's actions undermined its claims of wanting to pursue international reengagement following human rights concerns in the African country.
#Zimbabwe #USA
@africaintel
The United States on Friday said Zimbabwean officials last month "abruptly detained and deported" U.S. Agency for International Development officials who had been in the country on an assessment mission.
The U.S. State Department said Zimbabwe's actions undermined its claims of wanting to pursue international reengagement following human rights concerns in the African country.
#Zimbabwe #USA
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇿🇼 US condemns deportation of aid workers from Zimbabwe
The US has accused Zimbabwe of harassing, detaining and deporting several of its nationals who were in the country as aid workers.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said government officials and contractors had been "verbally and physically" intimidated.
They were there to "support civic participation, democratic institutions and human rights", the agency added.
On Monday, the US announced fresh sanctions on Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior government officials, whom it accuses of corruption and human rights abuses.
USAID's administrator, Samantha Power, said that some of its members had been subjected to "overnight detention, transportation in unsafe conditions, prolonged interrogation, seizure of and intrusion into personal electronic equipment".
#USA #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
The US has accused Zimbabwe of harassing, detaining and deporting several of its nationals who were in the country as aid workers.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said government officials and contractors had been "verbally and physically" intimidated.
They were there to "support civic participation, democratic institutions and human rights", the agency added.
On Monday, the US announced fresh sanctions on Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior government officials, whom it accuses of corruption and human rights abuses.
USAID's administrator, Samantha Power, said that some of its members had been subjected to "overnight detention, transportation in unsafe conditions, prolonged interrogation, seizure of and intrusion into personal electronic equipment".
#USA #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe sect leader held after 251 children rescued from farm labour
A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said.
The children "were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills", a police statement said.
Police found 251 children on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates. They also found 16 graves, including seven for infants, all which were unregistered, the statement said.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, described by police as a self-styled prophet, was arrested this week along with seven of his church members following a raid on their farm in Nyabira, about 30 km west of the capital, Harare.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said.
The children "were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills", a police statement said.
Police found 251 children on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates. They also found 16 graves, including seven for infants, all which were unregistered, the statement said.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, described by police as a self-styled prophet, was arrested this week along with seven of his church members following a raid on their farm in Nyabira, about 30 km west of the capital, Harare.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe sect leader held after 251 children rescued from farm labour A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical…
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe sect leader accused of child abuse is denied bail
The leader of a religious sect in Zimbabwe was denied bail on Tuesday after being arrested last week for suspected child abuse when police found 251 minors working on his farm and 16 graves.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa described by police as a "self-styled prophet" appeared in court in the town of Norton near the capital Harare on Tuesday along with seven of his church members who also face charges. They were not asked to plead.
Denying them bail, Norton magistrate Christine Nyandoro argued that Chokurongerwa could use his influence to interfere with witnesses and that there would be a public outcry if he was released.
The suspects have been charged with violating the Burial and Cremation Act and the Children's Act, after police found 251 school-age children doing manual labour at their farm, as well as 16 unregistered graves.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
The leader of a religious sect in Zimbabwe was denied bail on Tuesday after being arrested last week for suspected child abuse when police found 251 minors working on his farm and 16 graves.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa described by police as a "self-styled prophet" appeared in court in the town of Norton near the capital Harare on Tuesday along with seven of his church members who also face charges. They were not asked to plead.
Denying them bail, Norton magistrate Christine Nyandoro argued that Chokurongerwa could use his influence to interfere with witnesses and that there would be a public outcry if he was released.
The suspects have been charged with violating the Burial and Cremation Act and the Children's Act, after police found 251 school-age children doing manual labour at their farm, as well as 16 unregistered graves.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Suspected poachers killed in gunfire with Zimbabwe rangers
Two suspected poachers have been shot dead in a shootout with Zimbabwe rangers, near the Kazungula border post in Matabeleland North province.
Three other suspects were arrested and one of them managed to escape during Tuesday's incident, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson said.
“We have recovered about 15 tusks of elephants, a point 375 rifle and five rounds of ammunition," he said.
The incident comes barely two months after six elephants were killed by poisoning before their tusks were removed by suspected poachers in Shangani Wildlife Conservancy, which is close to Hwange National Park.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Two suspected poachers have been shot dead in a shootout with Zimbabwe rangers, near the Kazungula border post in Matabeleland North province.
Three other suspects were arrested and one of them managed to escape during Tuesday's incident, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson said.
“We have recovered about 15 tusks of elephants, a point 375 rifle and five rounds of ammunition," he said.
The incident comes barely two months after six elephants were killed by poisoning before their tusks were removed by suspected poachers in Shangani Wildlife Conservancy, which is close to Hwange National Park.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇷🇺🇿🇼 Russia donates wheat and fertiliser to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has received 250,000 tonnes of wheat donated by the Russian government and 23,000 tonnes of fertiliser provided by the Uralchem-Uralkali group of Russian companies.
Russia's ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolai Krasilnikov said on Wednesday that the grain transfer is "humanitarian assistance".
"Both deliveries were carried out in line with the implementation of the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation Vladmir Putin to provide assistance to African countries," Krasilnikov added.
Last year Russia announced a free grain transfer programme to African countries.
Aside from Zimbabwe, the programme also covers Burkina Faso, Mali, Eritrea, Somalia and the Central African Republic.
#Russia #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has received 250,000 tonnes of wheat donated by the Russian government and 23,000 tonnes of fertiliser provided by the Uralchem-Uralkali group of Russian companies.
Russia's ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolai Krasilnikov said on Wednesday that the grain transfer is "humanitarian assistance".
"Both deliveries were carried out in line with the implementation of the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation Vladmir Putin to provide assistance to African countries," Krasilnikov added.
Last year Russia announced a free grain transfer programme to African countries.
Aside from Zimbabwe, the programme also covers Burkina Faso, Mali, Eritrea, Somalia and the Central African Republic.
#Russia #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe mining boss arrested for fraud
The president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has been arrested for fraud after allegedly attempting to sell three mines she doesn't own.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told local media that Henrietta Rushwaya had been taken into police custody after a complaint had been received about mining transactions.
Nyathi added that Rushwaya was "assisting police with investigations".
She appeared in court on Wednesday and the state prosecutor opposed bail.
Last year Ms Rushwaya was convicted of trying to smuggle gold worth over $330,000 out of Zimbabwe in 2020.
She was a central figure in the Al-Jazeera Gold Mafia documentary which exposed how huge amounts of gold had been smuggled out of Zimbabwe to the United Arab Emirates.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
The president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has been arrested for fraud after allegedly attempting to sell three mines she doesn't own.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told local media that Henrietta Rushwaya had been taken into police custody after a complaint had been received about mining transactions.
Nyathi added that Rushwaya was "assisting police with investigations".
She appeared in court on Wednesday and the state prosecutor opposed bail.
Last year Ms Rushwaya was convicted of trying to smuggle gold worth over $330,000 out of Zimbabwe in 2020.
She was a central figure in the Al-Jazeera Gold Mafia documentary which exposed how huge amounts of gold had been smuggled out of Zimbabwe to the United Arab Emirates.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼🇨🇩 Zimbabwean trucker detained in DRC
A Zimbabwean truck driver employed by SMI Bulk Transport of South Africa is reportedly detained by authorities following a tragic accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while en route to Mokambo.
The driver, Jeremiah Kamuterera hailing from Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province, is said to have been involved in a fatal crash that claimed 18 lives, leaving six others seriously injured.
Reports suggest that Kamuterera, since the incident, has been grappling with his situation alone in a foreign land, with alleged lack of assistance from his employers. Urgent financial support is being sought to secure his release.
#Zimbabwe #DRC
@africaintel
A Zimbabwean truck driver employed by SMI Bulk Transport of South Africa is reportedly detained by authorities following a tragic accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while en route to Mokambo.
The driver, Jeremiah Kamuterera hailing from Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province, is said to have been involved in a fatal crash that claimed 18 lives, leaving six others seriously injured.
Reports suggest that Kamuterera, since the incident, has been grappling with his situation alone in a foreign land, with alleged lack of assistance from his employers. Urgent financial support is being sought to secure his release.
#Zimbabwe #DRC
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe declares state of disaster over severe drought
Zimbabwe has declared a state of disaster over a drought that has left around three million people facing hunger - making it the third country in southern Africa to raise the alarm.
Poor rains have wrought havoc across much of the region, where according to the UN's World Food Programme 20 million people don't have regular access to nutritious food.
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the country needs $2bn to combat the effects of food insecurity within its borders.
Much like in neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, which have also declared states of disaster and emergency, low rainfall has wiped out about half of Zimbabwe's maize crop – the nation's staple food.
The grain shortage has subsequently pushed up food prices.
Zimbabwe now joins the regional scramble to find maize on the international market.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe has declared a state of disaster over a drought that has left around three million people facing hunger - making it the third country in southern Africa to raise the alarm.
Poor rains have wrought havoc across much of the region, where according to the UN's World Food Programme 20 million people don't have regular access to nutritious food.
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the country needs $2bn to combat the effects of food insecurity within its borders.
Much like in neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, which have also declared states of disaster and emergency, low rainfall has wiped out about half of Zimbabwe's maize crop – the nation's staple food.
The grain shortage has subsequently pushed up food prices.
Zimbabwe now joins the regional scramble to find maize on the international market.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe unveils new currency as depreciation, inflation stoke turmoil
Zimbabwe on Friday launched a new currency to replace its previous one that in recent months has been battered by depreciation, and in some instances rejection by the population. Authorities hope the new measure will halt a currency crisis underlining the country’s yearslong economic troubles.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gov. John Mushayavanhu said the new currency will be called ZiG, and will be anchored on gold reserves and a basket of foreign currencies. It goes into effect on Monday.
The Zimbabwe dollar has come under sustained pressure in recent weeks, making it one of the world’s worst performing currencies.
Since January, the Zimbabwe dollar lost over 70% of its value on the official market, and was plunging even further on the thriving but illegal black market.
Inflation increased from 26.5% in December last year to 34.8% this January before spiking to 55.3% in March, according to official figures.
Traders were increasingly rejecting lower denominations of the now scrapped currency, with many insisting on payment only in U.S. dollars, which are also legal tender in the southern African country.
“We are doing what we are doing to ensure that our local currency does not die. We were already in a situation where almost 85% of the transactions are being conducted in U.S dollars,” Mushayavanhu told reporters in the capital, Harare. People have three weeks to exchange the old notes with the new currency, he said.
Friday’s announcement is the latest of a cocktail of currency measures undertaken by the Zimbabwean government since the initial spectacular collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe on Friday launched a new currency to replace its previous one that in recent months has been battered by depreciation, and in some instances rejection by the population. Authorities hope the new measure will halt a currency crisis underlining the country’s yearslong economic troubles.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gov. John Mushayavanhu said the new currency will be called ZiG, and will be anchored on gold reserves and a basket of foreign currencies. It goes into effect on Monday.
The Zimbabwe dollar has come under sustained pressure in recent weeks, making it one of the world’s worst performing currencies.
Since January, the Zimbabwe dollar lost over 70% of its value on the official market, and was plunging even further on the thriving but illegal black market.
Inflation increased from 26.5% in December last year to 34.8% this January before spiking to 55.3% in March, according to official figures.
Traders were increasingly rejecting lower denominations of the now scrapped currency, with many insisting on payment only in U.S. dollars, which are also legal tender in the southern African country.
“We are doing what we are doing to ensure that our local currency does not die. We were already in a situation where almost 85% of the transactions are being conducted in U.S dollars,” Mushayavanhu told reporters in the capital, Harare. People have three weeks to exchange the old notes with the new currency, he said.
Friday’s announcement is the latest of a cocktail of currency measures undertaken by the Zimbabwean government since the initial spectacular collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Here we go again: Zimbabweans forced to use US dollar in absence of new currency ZiG
Zimbabwe’s informal traders who account for about 75% of all employment in the nation have stopped accepting the ZIMdollar also know as RTGS dollar fearing its value has declined.
The new ZIG currency which was supposed to be effective from April 8 was delayed until the April 30th, leaving the US Dollar, dominating the market.
"When you introduce new measures, you will be hoping that, you will bring stability and lower inflation but you need to be disciplined and sincere about the process," economist Happy Zengeni explained.
"The ordinary Zimbabwean does not have the capacity to inject liquidity into the economy but capacity rests with the authorities so they need to be sincere about it."
Before the announcement of the launch of the new gold-backed currency , ZIG, the Zimdollar was trading at 28,720 to 1 US dollar.
Ordinary Zimbabweans like street vendor Mildred Mapfumo are dejected:
"I sell fruits for a living and I had been saving the RTGs Dollar for a while in order to pay tuition for my children but now we woke up to the news that our money is no longer valuable, I don’t even know how I will navigate this."
Zimbabwe is not new to currency change, we have seen the RTGs dollar being rolled and eventually being phased out and before that was the bearers cheques however, Zimbabweans are really worried about the extent to which this new ZiG, will be able to curb inflation that has been going on in the country.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe’s informal traders who account for about 75% of all employment in the nation have stopped accepting the ZIMdollar also know as RTGS dollar fearing its value has declined.
The new ZIG currency which was supposed to be effective from April 8 was delayed until the April 30th, leaving the US Dollar, dominating the market.
"When you introduce new measures, you will be hoping that, you will bring stability and lower inflation but you need to be disciplined and sincere about the process," economist Happy Zengeni explained.
"The ordinary Zimbabwean does not have the capacity to inject liquidity into the economy but capacity rests with the authorities so they need to be sincere about it."
Before the announcement of the launch of the new gold-backed currency , ZIG, the Zimdollar was trading at 28,720 to 1 US dollar.
Ordinary Zimbabweans like street vendor Mildred Mapfumo are dejected:
"I sell fruits for a living and I had been saving the RTGs Dollar for a while in order to pay tuition for my children but now we woke up to the news that our money is no longer valuable, I don’t even know how I will navigate this."
Zimbabwe is not new to currency change, we have seen the RTGs dollar being rolled and eventually being phased out and before that was the bearers cheques however, Zimbabweans are really worried about the extent to which this new ZiG, will be able to curb inflation that has been going on in the country.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa Won't Pursue Another Presidential Term
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced his readiness to retire and pass the presidency to a new Zanu PF leader. This marks the first time Mnangagwa has suggested he plans to leave office since he came to power in a 2017 de facto military coup that ousted the late President Robert Mugabe.
''Our Constitution requires that every five years, we go to Congress to elect a President for two five-year terms. I've completed my first term and was re-elected for a second. This will be my final term, which is nearing its end, and then I will retire,'' said Mnangagwa.
There were reports suggesting Mnangagwa might remain in office beyond his two five-year terms, which will conclude before the 2028 presidential election.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced his readiness to retire and pass the presidency to a new Zanu PF leader. This marks the first time Mnangagwa has suggested he plans to leave office since he came to power in a 2017 de facto military coup that ousted the late President Robert Mugabe.
''Our Constitution requires that every five years, we go to Congress to elect a President for two five-year terms. I've completed my first term and was re-elected for a second. This will be my final term, which is nearing its end, and then I will retire,'' said Mnangagwa.
There were reports suggesting Mnangagwa might remain in office beyond his two five-year terms, which will conclude before the 2028 presidential election.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Meals dry up as Zimbabwe’s drought sets in
Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are among the countries in Southern Africa most affected by malnutrition caused by drought.
A bed of sand and a patch of mud are all that remains of Kapotesa dam in Mudzi district, which once provided the water vital for crops and livestock in this remote part of northeastern Zimbabwe.
The Kapotesa dam dried up in May, a villager saying “Only God knows how we are going to survive until the next harvest next year.”
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are among the countries in Southern Africa most affected by malnutrition caused by drought.
A bed of sand and a patch of mud are all that remains of Kapotesa dam in Mudzi district, which once provided the water vital for crops and livestock in this remote part of northeastern Zimbabwe.
The Kapotesa dam dried up in May, a villager saying “Only God knows how we are going to survive until the next harvest next year.”
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇿🇼Lower growth forecast for Zimbabwe as drought ravages crop yields - finmin
Zimbabwe has revised its economic growth forecast downwards as southern Africa's worst drought in decades ravages crop yields, its finance minister told on Wednesday, but a bounceback in growth is likely in 2025.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said economic growth is forecast at 2% for 2024, down from 3.5% forecast in November, due to an El Niño-induced drought which has led to widespread crop failure.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon in which surface waters of the central and eastern Pacific become unusually warm, causing changes in global weather patterns.
Zimbabwe is among the hardest hit by drought in the region, impacting crop yields. Neighbours Zambia and Malawi have declared states of disaster as a result of the drought.
Last month, the International Monetary Fund also said it expected Zimbabwe's growth to fall to 2%, down from 5.3% last year.
"We are all downgrading our growth targets for 2024 because of deeper than expected impact on our agriculture, but next year is brighter," Ncube said.
Growth is expected to recover to above 5% in 2025, he added.
In May, the Zimbabwean government forecasted that staple maize production will drop 72% in the 2023/24 season.
Ncube said the drought had affected agriculture output and the country expects to import 1.4 million metric tonnes of grain.
To ease hunger across the country, Zimbabwe received around $32 million drought insurance last week from an African Union agency. Government has also appealed to international donors to assist with food aid.
Ncube will give the mid-term budget review later this month.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe has revised its economic growth forecast downwards as southern Africa's worst drought in decades ravages crop yields, its finance minister told on Wednesday, but a bounceback in growth is likely in 2025.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said economic growth is forecast at 2% for 2024, down from 3.5% forecast in November, due to an El Niño-induced drought which has led to widespread crop failure.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon in which surface waters of the central and eastern Pacific become unusually warm, causing changes in global weather patterns.
Zimbabwe is among the hardest hit by drought in the region, impacting crop yields. Neighbours Zambia and Malawi have declared states of disaster as a result of the drought.
Last month, the International Monetary Fund also said it expected Zimbabwe's growth to fall to 2%, down from 5.3% last year.
"We are all downgrading our growth targets for 2024 because of deeper than expected impact on our agriculture, but next year is brighter," Ncube said.
Growth is expected to recover to above 5% in 2025, he added.
In May, the Zimbabwean government forecasted that staple maize production will drop 72% in the 2023/24 season.
Ncube said the drought had affected agriculture output and the country expects to import 1.4 million metric tonnes of grain.
To ease hunger across the country, Zimbabwe received around $32 million drought insurance last week from an African Union agency. Government has also appealed to international donors to assist with food aid.
Ncube will give the mid-term budget review later this month.
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