Crime and Courts
Harare to Host Permanent Intra-African Trade Fair Headquarters
The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) will now operate as a permanent institution, with its headquarters set to be established in Harare, Zimbabwe, under the newly formed Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO).
The announcement was made at IATF2025 in Algiers, marking a significant step in advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Zimbabwe won the bid to host the headquarters after competing against Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa.
According to former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chairs the IATF Advisory Council, Zimbabwe was chosen because of its modern conferencing facilities, air transport links, accommodation capacity, and its commitment to allocate land for future growth of the institution.
“This marks a new era for IATF, ensuring its role as the continent’s premier trade and investment platform remains strong while boosting intra-African trade,” Obasanjo said.
The institution will be supported by an initial capitalization of US$28 million approved by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). IATFCO will oversee the biennial trade fair, which has grown into Africa’s biggest marketplace for business and investment opportunities.
Afreximbank president Benedict Oramah described the development as a “major milestone” and called on African states, the private sector, and financial institutions to rally behind IATFCO as it takes shape.
The IATF is jointly organized by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat. It offers companies an opportunity to exhibit products and services, build partnerships, and access AfCFTA’s single market of more than 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.
This year’s edition, held in Algiers from 4–10 September 2025, drew more than 112,000 participants from 132 countries, featured 2,148 exhibitors, and generated trade and investment deals worth US$48.3 billion.
Crime and Courts
23-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Police Vehicle
Itai Mazire
A 23-year-old man from Chinhoyi has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after stealing a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) vehicle from Chemagamba Police Camp.
According to court papers, the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court convicted Godfrey Musa Ndlovu (23) of stealing a ZRP vehicle from Chemagamba Police Camp in Chinhoyi.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that on 7 December 2025, at around 0500 hours, a ZRP officer was preparing to travel to Mutoko in a silver Kia Rio police vehicle when the offender, who was a relative of the officer’s neighbour, requested a lift into Chinhoyi town.
“The officer allowed him to load his goods into the vehicle. Before departure, the officer briefly returned to his residence to collect a cellphone, leaving the vehicle keys inside his jacket on the seat. The offender then took the keys and drove off at high speed,” the NPA said.
Acting on a tip-off, police later apprehended Ndlovu near Thrills Service Station while he was travelling in an unregistered taxi, commonly known as a mushikashika. He subsequently led officers to the recovery of the stolen vehicle in Ruvimbo Phase 2, Chinhoyi.
The vehicle, valued at US$6 000, was recovered with its registration plates removed, the third plate altered, the police radio disconnected, and the communication aerial damaged. The missing registration plates, valued at US$650, were not recovered.
Ndlovu was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment, of which 18 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective 12-month jail term.
Crime and Courts
Shinsoman Pays US$200 Fine Over Cannabis Offence
Zimdancehall musician Romeo Anthony, better known as Shinsoman, has been fined US$200 after admitting to smoking cannabis.
The 37-year-old artist appeared before the Mbare Magistrates’ Court together with four other accused persons Themba Sibanda (26), Tendai Shumba (43), Kennedy Simbanegavi (37) and Cosmas Muzanzi (41). All pleaded guilty to violating Section 157(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which prohibits possession of dangerous drugs.
Magistrate Ranga Jere ordered each of the five to pay a US$200 fine. The court ruled that failure to settle the fine would result in a four-month prison sentence, with three months suspended for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence.
According to the State, the incident occurred on January 5, 2026, at a residence in Highfields. CID Drugs and Narcotics officers allegedly discovered the men smoking cannabis near a parked Mercedes-Benz while carrying out follow-up investigations.
Crime and Courts
Garwe Urges National Unity, Says Focus Must Shift to Development
Itai Mazire
ZANU PF Mashonaland East Provincial Chairperson, Cde Daniel Garwe, has implored Zimbabweans to set aside political differences and unite under a shared vision of national development.
Speaking during a recent tour of Mrewa North Constituency, Honorable Garwe who also serves as the Minister of Local Government and Public Works said that the country’s primary focus should remain on infrastructure and economic growth rather than perpetual political contestation.

Cde Daniel Garwe
The tour was aimed at assessing ongoing projects in the district and engaging with local communities on their developmental needs. Hon. Garwe’s message was clear, the time for campaigning has passed and the time for labor has arrived.
“We must be a nation that is united for development.
“Let us focus on building our country because we are not in an election season,” he said.
Addressing various stakeholders and community members, Hon.Garwe said that the Second Republic’s “Vision 2030” can only be achieved if the citizenry works in harmony.
He added that the government is currently preoccupied with closing the infrastructure gap through projects such as dam construction, road rehabilitation and the development of smart cities.
Hon Garwe dismissed any rhetoric focused on early electioneering, reminding the public that the mandate for the current administration was established in the previous general elections.
“There is a time for politics and a time for work. Right now, our hands should be on the tools. We are not in an election season, so let us focus on the development that improves the lives of our people,” he added.
Provincial Progress
During his visit to Mrewa North, the Chairman praised the local leadership for their commitment to government-led programs.
He urged the province to lead by example in maintaining peace and stability, which he described as the “bedrock of progress.”
The visit is part of a broader provincial outreach program by the ZANU PF Mashonaland East leadership to ensure that developmental targets are met at the grassroots level. Garwe concluded by reiterating that the door is open for all Zimbabweans to contribute to the nation’s growth, regardless of their background.
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