Lieutenant Colonel Grace Muriri has made history in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) as the first woman to lead the 52 Infantry Battalion since the nation gained independence in 1980.

The 52 Infantry Battalion, also known as the Burning Spear and based in Battlefields, Midlands Province, reached a milestone with Muriri’s appointment, which reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to gender inclusion and the promotion of women in leadership roles within the security sector.

Muriri succeeds Lieutenant Colonel Tongai Hove, who now commands the 3 Presidential Guards Battalion following his tenure at the 52 Infantry Battalion, where he oversaw several operations aimed at maintaining order across the country.

“During my time with the 52 Infantry Battalion, we conducted multiple operations including Operation Hakudzokwi Phase 64 in Chiyadzwa, Operation No to Riverbed Mining, and Exercise Mbada Inoruma. I commend the officers and soldiers of 52 Infantry for their dedication. Together, we strengthened our unity and operational effectiveness. Today, the Burning Spear stands as a symbol of the resilience and strength of the community it serves,” said outgoing commander, Lieutenant Colonel Tongai Hove.

At the handover ceremony, Brigadier General Lawrence Munzwararikwa, commander of the Fifth Infantry Brigade, urged the battalion to fully support the new leadership. “I congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Muriri on her promotion and appointment. With your expertise, I am confident you will build on your predecessor’s achievements and take the unit to greater heights. Respect the traditions of the battalion while embracing innovative approaches to enhance effectiveness and resilience,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Muriri expressed readiness to lead the battalion, highlighting the importance of discipline, unity, and teamwork. “Our strength comes not only from individual skills but also from our ability to work collectively toward shared objectives. We must remain resolute in adversity, support each other, and foster trust and collaboration.

“I reaffirm our commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Every action we take will uphold integrity, honour, and respect. Training and operational readiness will remain top priorities to ensure the battalion continues to perform at the highest level,” Muriri said.

The ZNA is charged with safeguarding national peace and protecting Zimbabwe’s territorial integrity, and Muriri’s appointment marks a significant step forward in diversifying leadership within the country’s elite military units.

Judiciary, Zimbabwe has successfully launched the digitalization of all 16 magistrates’ courts in Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces under Phase 4:2 of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).

This transformative initiative, which builds on the success of earlier phases, promises to revolutionize the nation’s judicial system by enhancing efficiency, reducing corruption, and making justice more accessible to all citizens through cutting-edge digital solutions.

“The IECMS is designed to streamline case management processes, reduce delays, and ensure secure, accessible court records,” said the Judicial Service Commission.

By transitioning to a paperless system, the initiative eliminates printing and photocopying costs, reduces travel expenses through virtual civil court sessions, and saves time by improving communication.

Court users will receive real-time updates on case progress via email or text messages, ensuring greater transparency and engagement. This system is a game-changer for Zimbabwe’s judicial landscape.

The IECMS not only accelerates judicial proceedings but also provides critical data analytics to inform policy and decision-making, while significantly reducing opportunities for corruption,” said the Judicial Service Commission statement

Key features of the IECMS include e-payment of court fees, e-filing of case documents, online case tracking, virtual court hearings, and accessible judgments.

“To maintain professional integrity, lawyers must be cleared by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) to register on the platform, ensuring that only verified legal practitioners can participate,” mentioned in the statement.

The digitalization effort follows the successful implementation of Phase 4:1 on July 1, 2025, which brought magistrates’ courts in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North online.

With this launch, ten court stations in Masvingo and six in Matabeleland South are now fully digital. The initiative is set to expand to Mashonaland East and Manicaland under Phase 4:3, with plans to cover all remaining provinces in the near future.

This milestone reflects the collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders, including the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ), Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission(ZPCS). Their collective commitment has been instrumental in driving this ambitious project forward.

“The digitalization of our magistrates’ courts is a testament to Zimbabwe’s dedication to building a modern, transparent, and accessible justice system.

We are confident that the IECMS will continue to deliver tangible benefits to court users and the public at large,” the JSC added.

As Zimbabwe progresses toward a fully digital judicial framework, the IECMS is poised to set a new standard for efficiency and accountability, ensuring justice is more accessible to all citizens paving way for a future where technology and justice work hand in hand to serve all its people.

The successful rollout of the IECMS signals a brighter, more accountable era for the nation’s courts, fostering trust and accessibility for generations to come.

The newly opened Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou rises about 2,050 feet above the river and canyon below, making it more than twice the height of the United States’ tallest suspension bridge, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, which hangs 956 feet above the Arkansas River.

Chinese state media reports that the Huajiang span is not only the highest globally but also the longest bridge ever built in a mountainous region, stretching an impressive 4,600 feet across.

Dubbed another of China’s “infrastructure miracles,” the bridge is expected to boost tourism and stimulate the economy in Guizhou, one of the country’s least developed provinces.

Construction took nearly four years to complete. Officials say the crossing slashes travel time across the canyon from around two hours to just two minutes, directly linking key tourist attractions.

Technician Tian Hongrui, who worked on the project, described the achievement with pride: “Leaving now is bittersweet, but this isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of something new,” he told CCTV News.

The bridge isn’t just for motorists. It includes a glass elevator that whisks visitors to a café 2,600 feet above the river, alongside adventure features such as bungee jumping and a glass walkway suspended 1,900 feet high.

Guizhou, home to roughly 40 million residents, has seen a massive infrastructure drive over the last few decades as part of China’s poverty alleviation strategy. The province now boasts more than 32,000 completed or ongoing bridge projects, compared to fewer than 3,000 in the 1980s.

It also hosts the Duge Bridge, previously the world’s tallest, which opened in 2016 and now ranks second to the Huajiang marvel.

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