A Johannesburg court has ordered the immediate deportation of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe after convicting him of firearm and immigration offences.

He was fined R600,000, with the option of prison time if he fails to pay, and will be sent back to Zimbabwe.

His cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

More details to follow.

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has issued a strong warning to the public over a fake recruitment advert circulating on social media, urging citizens to rely only on official communication channels.

ZNA Public Relations Director, Hlengiweni Dube, said the fraudulent advert was designed to mislead and scam unsuspecting members of the public.

“The Zimbabwe National Army would like to inform members of the public to be on the lookout for a fake ZNA recruitment advert circulating on social media platforms,” said Dube.

“The advert was created by fraudsters to mislead and scam unsuspecting people. The fake recruitment advert was flighted by some mischief-makers who are circulating it to mislead and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.”

Dube made it clear that the army has not announced any recruitment for general duty soldiers in 2026.

“The organisation has not flighted any general duty soldiers’ recruitment advert for 2026,” he said.

He further emphasised that the ZNA does not use social media platforms for recruitment purposes.

“The ZNA does not use social media platforms for the purpose of recruitment. The organisation uses formal communication channels such as electronic and print media,” Dube said.

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The army also warned that it does not work with third parties or charge any fees during the recruitment process.

“Members of the public are once again advised that the ZNA does not engage third parties for recruitment, nor do they charge a fee on applicants,” he said.

Dube added that anyone falsely presenting themselves as a recruitment agent would face legal consequences.

“Anyone caught associating themselves with recruiting in the ZNA will be prosecuted,” he said.

Members of the public have been urged to report suspicious individuals immediately.

“Should anyone come across any suspicious characters masquerading as Army recruitment agents, they should immediately call the Military Police hotline numbers: 0712842318 and 0772258410. They must also report to the nearest Zimbabwe Republic Police station or any nearest military camp,” Dube said.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe has reiterated the government’s commitment to improving service delivery and accelerating infrastructure development, in line with Zimbabwe’s broader Vision 2030 agenda.

In a recent government communication shared via official channels, Garwe underscored the importance of efficient local authorities in driving national development and restoring public confidence in governance systems.

Garwe, who has been serving as Minister since April 2024, plays a key role in overseeing urban management, housing, and public works across the country.

Focus on Service Delivery

The minister stressed that the credibility of government institutions is closely tied to the quality of services delivered at the local level. Previous remarks attributed to Garwe have highlighted the need for councils to improve performance and accountability, particularly in areas such as water provision, sanitation, and infrastructure maintenance.

This renewed emphasis comes as Zimbabwe continues to implement its National Development Strategy (NDS), which prioritises economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and improved living standards.

Vision 2030 and Infrastructure Development

Garwe has also linked local government performance to the country’s Vision 2030 target, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy. Recent engagements have seen the minister highlighting projects aimed at improving access to basic services, including long-overdue water infrastructure developments in urban areas.

These initiatives are part of a broader push to modernise cities and ensure sustainable service delivery in line with national economic goals.

Accountability and Reform

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of local authorities, with calls for stronger oversight and reforms to address inefficiencies. Analysts say the government’s messaging signals a continued focus on accountability, particularly as infrastructure and service delivery remain key public concerns.