The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has announced a sharpening of border controls, declaring that “border processes are being strengthened to improve efficiency and promote fair trade” , a move that tightens the screws on cross-border traders while protecting the USD 200 monthly traveller rebate.

In a notice to travellers and traders yesterday, ZIMRA reminded the public that “the personal travellers’ rebate is USD200 per person per calendar month, subject to prescribed conditions.”

Any personal goods exceeding that limit will be charged duty on the excess value.

But the authority drew a hard line on commercial consignments.

“Bulk goods intended for resale or goods in commercial quantities are classified as commercial consignments and must be duty paid in full and cleared through licensed clearing agents,” said ZIMRA in a statement.

However, a partial concession exists, commercial consignments valued below USD 1 000 can be duty-paid directly at ZIMRA counters without engaging agents, though the authority “encouraged” using agents for pre-clearance to reduce delays.

Passengers will be prioritised for faster processing, while commercial cargo will be handled separately. Travellers were urged to declare goods accurately and use pre-clearance facilities.

“These measures are designed to facilitate trade while ensuring a smooth, fair and efficient border experience for all,” ZIMRA said.

Mayor Mafume’s demolition slammed as documents show sign-offs from top officials, including Acting Town Clerk

Mabelreign Ward 16, Councillor Denford Ngadziore has been fully vindicated following the emergence of official City of Harare documents confirming that the Mabelreign shopping centre tuckshops, demolished on the instruction of Mayor Jacob Mafume- were lawfully approved by council’s senior leadership.

The latest developments put to rest earlier reports that Cnllr Ngadziore had acted unlawfully or independently.

In fact, the construction had been properly authorised and sanctioned at Town House.

Internal correspondence shows that on 19 December 2025, Cartin Mark Up Investments, trading as Arise & Shine, wrote to the City of Harare’s Housing and Community Services department seeking permission to construct a “temporary market facility” at Mabelreign Shopping Centre.

The letter stated explicitly, “This project is intended as a donation to the City of Harare to support council’s efforts in urban renewal and SME management.”

The proposal was then passed through all council structures.

Between 16 and 19 February 2026, key departments formally endorsed the project, with senior officials appending their signatures.

An official City of Harare response, dated 2 March 2026 and written by Acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, confirmed the project was approved subject to specified conditions.

That letter received backing from
Isaiah Chawatama, Director of Works
,Samuel Nyabezi, Acting Director of Urban Planning
and Admore Nhekairo, Director of Housing and Community Services

The facility was intended to accommodate traders during renovations, while also easing congestion on pavements and shop verandas.

Councillor Ngadziore, who serves as chairperson of the council’s SMEs committee, had faced criticism after Mayor Mafume distanced himself from the councillor and suggested Ngadziore had acted alone and unlawfully, claims now contradicted by the council’s own paperwork.

It remains unclear why Mayor Mafume proceeded with the demolition despite clear authorisation from Town House.

HARARE – In a rare display of political convergence, Presidential Advisor Dr. Paul Tungwarara yesterday presided over an event that saw members of the ruling ZANU PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) unite for a community development initiative, framing the occasion as a shift from partisan rivalry to collective national building.

The event, held in Budiriro North Constituency a known opposition stronghold centered on the commissioning of boreholes under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme.

The occasion was marked by the unexpected presence and effusive praise of opposition legislator Susan Matsunga, who publicly lauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his advisor for delivering tangible services to her community.

“Baba (Father) hamuna kutarisa kuti muri baba vemhuri iyi muri baba vemhuri yese. Ropafadzai and your wishes be fulfilled,” Matsunga was quoted saying, which translates to an acknowledgment that the President is a father to the entire nation regardless of political affiliation.

“On behalf of the citizens of Budiriro, we are happy, we are proud of you, Daddy. We have never seen this miracle,” she added.

The gathering in Budiriro comes on the heels of Dr. Tungwarara’s formal elevation to the ZANU PF Central Committee over the weekend in Chipinge, a ceremony that was framed by the ruling party as part of a broader renewal and modernization strategy aligned with national development priorities.

During that event, ZANU PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri praised Tungwarara as a philanthropic figure whose work aligns with the President’s development philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa nevene” (a country is built by its owners).

Yesterday’s event, however, broadened that narrative to encompass cross-party engagement.

While the Presidential Borehole Scheme has been utilized by ZANU PF as a campaign tool in urban areas, the public endorsement from a CCC legislator signals a potential blurring of political lines in the pursuit of service delivery.

The event was also attended by prominent ZANU PF figures and businessmen including Kudakwashe Tagwirei, underscoring the influence of “new blood” within the party’s operational and developmental strategies.

The outreach in Budiriro is seen by analysts as part of a strategic consolidation by Tungwarara, who is emerging as a key figure in the ruling party’s grassroots empowerment agenda.

His recent inclusion in the Central Committee was described by party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa as an injection of “fresh ideas” from young business minds aimed at wealth generation and economic modernization.

While critics often dismiss such initiatives as political maneuvering ahead of the proposed 2030 term extension agenda, the imagery of opposition officials welcoming government resources under the banner of development presents a potent narrative shift.

The event effectively allowed the ruling party to claim a mandate that transcends traditional political boundaries, leveraging the delivery of essential services like water to build bridges with constituents who have historically voted against it.

Dr. Tungwarara’s dual role as an investor and political operative continues to position him at the intersection of economic facilitation and grassroots mobilization, a space the ruling party is eager to exploit as it pushes its Vision 2030 agenda.