HOT TOPIC ONLINE ............ *WHO on alert over new COVID variant* (B24) *Beatrice Mtetwa slams CJ Malaba* (B24) *They escaped with their lives. Now they’ve been arrested* (GroundUp) *Pit Bulls’ owner remanded in custody, also faces separate rape charges* (Zbc) *Whereabouts of Li Song, Zimbabwe’s ‘Cyanide Queen,’ Unknown* (Africa Defense Forum) *Zimbabwe: A country where a Ferrari can’t travel!* (The Zimbabwean) *Chamisa rubbishes reports that he is launching a political party* (Zw news) *Zimbabwe issues permits for cull of at least 50 elephants* (Reuters) *Another Honda Fit mushikashika accident kills 2 people after overturning multiple times* (myZimbabwe) *What To Know About The New Zimbabwe Media Policy* (ZimEye) ...... ©Zoomic Media https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26 *WHO on alert over new COVID variant* (B24) The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a cautionary advisory urging countries to remain vigilant and closely monitor the evolution of new COVID-19 variants, emphasizing the importance of preventing healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed. The WHO also continues to advocate for active vaccination efforts to curb the spread of emerging strains. A newly identified variant, NB.1.8.1, has already contributed to a rise in COVID-19 cases across Europe and the United States. Virology expert Julio Lopez explained that current data suggests this variant may spread more easily and has the potential to partially evade immunity gained from previous infections or vaccination. The primary symptoms associated with NB.1.8.1 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and muscle or body aches. This strain, a derivative of the Omicron variant, was first discovered in January 2025 and initially reported in Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives. Health authorities worldwide are urged to maintain close surveillance and continue promoting vaccinations to mitigate the impact of this evolving threat. ...... *Beatrice Mtetwa slams CJ Malaba* (B24) Renowned human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa has sharply criticised Chief Justice Luke Malaba and other members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) over what she describes as the "haranguing, humiliation, and belittling" of candidates during public interviews for judicial appointments. In a hard-hitting open letter addressed to the JSC, Mtetwa expressed dismay at the treatment of candidates interviewed for eight positions on the Labour Court, arguing that the process had become abusive and counterproductive, undermining the integrity of Zimbabwe's judicial system. "As the interviews progressed, I became increasingly concerned that a process meant to promote transparency and accountability has turned into a public spectacle where candidates are embarrassed and degraded," Mtetwa wrote. She singled out Chief Justice Malaba, the chairman of the JSC, as appearing to lead the aggressive line of questioning, saying it was especially troubling coming from the highest-ranking judicial officer in the land. "Grown men and women, who are professionals, were treated worse than school children," she said. "What ought to have been dealt with as internal performance issues were thrown at candidates in a manner that violated their personal dignity." Mtetwa, a former president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and a globally respected legal practitioner, warned that the conduct of the interviews would discourage qualified legal professionals from submitting themselves for judicial office. "No self-respecting competent lawyer will want to subject themselves to the haranguing that currently passes for judicial interviews," she said. She also condemned what she described as inappropriate and constitutionally improper questioning from commissioners, such as asking magistrates to explain why they had denied remand or granted bail to accused persons. "This is the height of impropriety," Mtetwa said, stressing that such questions undermine judicial independence and could intimidate magistrates into decisions motivated by fear rather than legal merit. The lawyer also criticised the structure and fairness of the entire interview process, which she argued lacks genuine transparency. "The secrecy of the score sheets, the names submitted to the President, and the public humiliation of candidates all compromise the legitimacy of the appointments," she wrote. Mtetwa warned that the hostile tone and perceived bias in the interviews would erode public trust in the judiciary and damage the morale of judicial officers. "How do these men and women go back to their families, whose excitement was that one of them would be interviewed for the prestigious position of judge, when they've been humiliated on a public platform?" She concluded by calling on the legal profession to take a united stand against what she termed a "charade," drawing parallels to the public outcry in South Africa when political figures attempted to hijack their own judicial interview process. "The Chief Justice owes it to the people of Zimbabwe to ensure a judicial appointment process that attracts the best legal minds. What we have now is a public deterrent," Mtetwa said. The JSC has not yet responded to the letter, which has been widely circulated in legal and civic circles. ........ *They escaped with their lives. Now they’ve been arrested* (GroundUp) Hundreds of immigrants were displaced in Addo following xenophobic attacks. Archive photo: Joseph Chirume More than 100 Zimbabweans seeking shelter after xenophobic attacks in Addo were arrested on Sunday. Some had been evacuated to a safe space in Gqeberha and others were camping out at Addo police station when they were arrested by Home Affairs officials for violating immigration laws. The attacks in Addo last weekend left at least four people dead and more than ten injured. Hundreds of families fled their homes. According to the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network (ZiMSN) chairperson Chris Mapingure, 127 people have now opted for voluntary repatriation after appearing in the Kirkwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The Zimbabwean consulate is arranging transport back to Zimbabwe. Mapingure condemned the arrests coming so soon after the xenophobic attacks. “People had lost loved ones and some lost their property. Most lost their travel documents and will need time and money to replace the documents. This is unfair and unfortunate. People were supposed to be given an opportunity to collect their belongings and time to mourn and bury the dead.” Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge told GroundUp that the arrests were conducted by immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service only provided the holding cells. The deadly xenophobic attacks last weekend are under investigation by police. There have been no arrests. Warrant officer Majola Nkohli told GroundUp charges of intimidation and conspiracy to commit crime had been added to the docket. “There is information coming out, some in the form of voice notes, which have been elements of intimidation and conspiracy to commit crime during the unrest,” Nkohli said. The leader of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Sundays River Valley, Patrick Bayeni, said the situation in Addo has calmed down and it is safe for the remaining Zimbabwean families to return. “We have members on the ground there to monitor the situation and assure whoever wants to return to come back without any fear,” he said. He said the father of the South African man whose murder triggered the violent “revenge” attacks has also urged the community not to harm immigrant community members. GroundUp sent questions to the Department of Home Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber but had received no response at the time of publication. ..... *Pit Bulls’ owner remanded in custody, also faces separate rape charges* (Zbc) HARARE – A Harare man, Mike Mapinga, has been remanded in custody after appearing before the courts on charges of culpable homicide, following a fatal dog attack in Bluffhill over the weekend. Mapinga is alleged to have negligently left his four dogs, three Pit Bulls and a Rottweiler, unattended overnight, leading to a tragic incident in which the dogs reportedly escaped from the property and fatally mauled a passer-by, Samuel Machara. The incident occurred on Saturday, and during court proceedings on Monday, the State outlined that written submissions from the accused’s legal representative were expected by the end of the day. His defence counsel is scheduled to respond on Thursday. The matter was rolled over to Friday to allow Mapinga’s lawyer more time to compile the necessary documentation. According to the State’s submissions, the canines reportedly scaled a low perimeter wall before attacking Machara, who was walking past the property. The victim suffered extensive injuries, including deep wounds to the neck and lacerations on the arms, legs, and abdomen and later succumbed to the injuries sustained. One of the Pit bulls, which was positively identified by both the accused and witnesses, was discovered with bloodstains on its body. All four dogs were subsequently confiscated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Meanwhile, Mapinga’s legal woes deepened when he appeared in a separate matter before regional magistrate Sandra Mupindu, in relation to a default inquiry linked to rape charges. He is expected back in court on Wednesday for the rape-related matter, while his culpable homicide hearing has been set for Friday. Mapinga remains in remand custody as the cases proceed. ........ *Whereabouts of Li Song, Zimbabwe’s ‘Cyanide Queen,’ Unknown* (Africa Defense Forum) A visitor at the Beijing Zoo walks past an African elephant. GETTY IMAGES Li Song portrayed herself as a legitimate businesswoman in Zimbabwe, but that portrayal masked a dark reality. Authorities say the woman now known as the “Ivory Queen” or “Cyanide Queen” led a wildlife poaching ring that captured African elephants and shipped them to China. Last year, she was arrested and charged with fraud, perjury and illegally sending foreign money to Chinese accounts. Song, 53, was accused of importing 40 tons of sodium cyanide and hydrated lime from Mauritius to her company, DGL9 Investments, to avoid paying an excise tax. This violated health and environmental laws and public safety protocols. She was granted bail but failed to attend show up in court. Cyanide poisoning is a particular threat to elephants in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s biggest nature reserve. Poachers put cyanide in watering holes used by the animals. It was not clear how Song intended to use the cyanide. African elephants face a high risk of extinction. “The use of poison in illegal wildlife trade is always a concern because not only is it a silent and effective way of killing animals, but the knock-on effects within the ecosystem are large,” Nathan Webb, of the Wildlife Conservation Coalition, told Oxpeckers, which investigates environmental issues in Southern Africa. “This is not something that has previously had a charge or a penalty. The biggest deterrent has got to be the penalties and fines and the punishment that people get when caught with such issues.” Elizabeth Valerio, a Hwange-based conservationist and leader of opposition political party United Zimbabwe Alliance, told Oxpeckers that poachers have been using cyanide for more than a decade. “Some of these activities had far higher authorities behind them,” Valerio said. Although Zimbabwean officials say Song was deported last year for being a national security threat, her whereabouts are not publicly known. Zimbabwean officials are accused of protecting Song due to her deep ties with authorities, politicians and businesspeople. She has homes in Shanghai, Harare and Ottawa, Canada, according to Kenya Insights. In 2015, Song established the Sino-Zim Wildlife Foundation and served as its chairperson. This was a joint venture between Chinese conservationists and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. “Sino-Zim Wildlife Foundation will mobilize efforts with China to mobilize support for conservation in Zimbabwe,” she said at the time, according to Kenya Insights. “We are going to work hard to resolutely fight poaching and illegal transportation and sale of animal products.” However, her record includes allegations of corrupt, cruel wildlife deals. A year after Sino-Zim was established, Zimbabwe sold 35 baby elephants to China. This was described as wildlife abuse because the animals were taken from their mothers in the wild. In 2017, Humane Society International obtained footage of 14 young elephants awaiting transport to China after being caught in Hwange National Park, Kenya Insights reported. The footage showed the animals being beaten and kicked as they were sedated and taken to holding pens. These actions drew criticism from other African countries, nongovernmental organizations and elephant experts such as Dr. Joyce Poole, who described the treatment as “tragic and morally reprehensible,” according to Kenya Insights. China became a dominant buyer of African elephants in 2012. Between 2012 and 2019, Zimbabwe sold 140 young elephants to China. At least 20 of them died while being transported. They were sold for $30,000 to $40,000 each. Exporting them involved capturing juvenile elephants from wild herds in Hwange National Park. Gunmen in helicopters would shoot them with tranquilizer darts so they could be caught. They were trucked to pens at a holding facility and quarantined for a few months before being flown to China, Dr. Adam Cruise, who teaches animal and environmental ethics at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, wrote in The Journal of African Elephants. “Condemning these elephants to a life of captivity … is a tragedy,” elephant biologist Audrey Delsink, wildlife director at Humane Society International Africa, told The Independent in 2019. “We and others have been working for months to try and stop these elephants being shipped because all that awaits them in China is a life of monotonous deprivation.” Due to high demand in China for wildlife products used in traditional Chinese medicine, other species, including pangolins, lions, sable antelope, baboons, hyenas and rhinos also are exported from Zimbabwe to China. In November 2024, two Chinese nationals, Lin Wang and Fuxi Wang, were arrested when they tried to smuggle $360,000 worth of rhino horns out of Zimbabwe. Africa Defense Forum. ..... *Zimbabwe: A country where a Ferrari can’t travel!* (The Zimbabwean) We live in a curious country. Tendai Ruben Mbofana In traversing Zimbabwe’s diverse and often rugged landscapes, one cannot help but notice the overwhelming presence of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). From the bustling city streets of Harare and Bulawayo to the dusty small towns in remote corners of the country, these robust vehicles dominate the roads. This widespread preference for SUVs, especially among the well-heeled and politically connected, raises an intriguing question: Why are Zimbabweans so enamored with these vehicles? The answer lies not merely in aesthetics or status, as many might assume, but in raw necessity. Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure, much of which was built during the colonial era or in the early years following independence in 1980, has suffered from decades of chronic neglect and underinvestment. To directly receive articles from Tendai Ruben Mbofana, please join his WhatsApp Channel on: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaqprWCIyPtRnKpkHe08 The once-praised road network—considered among the best in Africa in the 1980s—has crumbled into a shameful state of disrepair. Deep potholes, collapsed bridges, narrow shoulders, and entire stretches of impassable terrain are now commonplace. From the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway to the Nkayi and Binga roads, and even the inner streets of Mbare, Glen View, and Chitungwiza, the situation is often indistinguishable from scenes out of a war zone. In such conditions, owning a low-clearance luxury vehicle like a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Rolls-Royce simply doesn’t make practical sense. As magnificent as these cars are, they were not designed to crawl over crater-sized potholes, maneuver through gravel roads, or ford seasonal gullies formed by years of neglect. This explains why, despite the existence of ultra-wealthy individuals in Zimbabwe, you rarely see them flaunting such sedans on local roads. Instead, they opt for SUVs. These offer high ground clearance, powerful suspension, and off-road capability—all essential traits for survival on Zimbabwean roads. Flamboyant and controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has become the poster child for this SUV craze. His garage and gift list read like a catalogue of some of the world’s most expensive 4x4s. Among the high-end vehicles in his collection are a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Benz G63 Brabus, and a Maybach GLS600. He has handed out 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350d 4Matic SUVs, Toyota Fortuner 2.4Ds, and Land Cruiser LC300s to pastors, musicians, family members, and other associates—vehicles often worth over US$100,000 each. His obsession is not arbitrary; it is symptomatic of a broader Zimbabwean reality. Even President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s official convoy is a rolling fleet of blacked-out SUVs. These are not simply security-related choices but also a reflection of the state of the country’s roads—even heads of state need reinforced vehicles to survive the terrain. Gone are the days of sleek limousines cruising smoothly down freshly tarred boulevards. In Zimbabwe, power rides high above the potholes. While sedans still populate the roads, they are mostly driven by struggling ordinary citizens like myself, who are left to nurse damaged suspension systems and burst tyres from daily encounters with damaged roads. I often joke with my wife that the day I have money, I will not buy a flashy sports car—I will get myself a Land Rover Discovery. Not because I want to climb mountains or drive through the Amazon jungle, but because that’s the only way to comfortably get from Redcliff to Harare without needing chiropractic attention at the end of the trip. Yet, there is something deeper and more disturbing about this SUV obsession. It is not only about convenience. It is also a loud, damning indictment of the Zimbabwean elite’s apathy towards public infrastructure and community wellbeing. What boggles the mind is how even in the plushest suburbs of Harare—Borrowdale, Greystone Park, Gunhill—the roads are just as appalling. These are neighborhoods filled with millionaires and senior government officials. Yet, they live amid uncollected garbage, dry water taps, and roads that resemble abandoned mining paths. Why don’t these well-to-do residents pool resources to fix their roads, as is common in many functional societies? The answer is unsettling. Zimbabwe’s ruling elite—politicians, tenderpreneurs, cronies, and their enablers—appear to have adopted a philosophy of self-preservation at the expense of national development. As long as their own personal circumstances are secure—boreholes to supply water, solar panels for electricity, SUVs to conquer potholes—they see no urgent need to fix the broader system. It is a form of elite detachment where the public good is irrelevant if the private good is satisfied. This attitude is a microcosm of Zimbabwe’s tragic decline. At independence, Zimbabwe was the pride of Africa, hailed by Tanzanian leader Julius Nyerere as the “jewel of Africa.” But that jewel has been aggressively mined by those entrusted with its stewardship. Billions of dollars in diamond, gold, and platinum revenue have been lost through corruption, illicit financial flows, and gross mismanagement. Meanwhile, hospitals run without essential medication, schools crumble without textbooks, and the roads—those veins that carry the lifeblood of the economy—are now clogged with decay. And what does the elite do about it? They buy more SUVs. They fly their children to universities in Australia, the UK, and South Africa. They seek medical treatment in Dubai, India, and Singapore while local clinics cannot even treat diarrhoea. They privatize their lives—ensuring that no matter how bad things get, they remain insulated. And they never ask the most important question: what kind of country are we building? There’s something profoundly sad about watching a convoy of luxury SUVs speed down a pothole-ridden road, splashing muddy water into the faces of pedestrians walking along the edge of the tarmac. It is a picture that perfectly captures Zimbabwe’s broken social contract. Those in power have abandoned the people, and the people have been forced to abandon hope. Everyone is now just trying to survive—and SUVs have become the symbol of that survivalist mentality. But this doesn’t have to be our story. Zimbabwe is not a poor country. It is a country rich in minerals, agriculture, tourism potential, and human capital. What it lacks is leadership—leadership that puts country before self. We need leaders who see themselves not as rulers but as stewards; not as consumers of national wealth but as builders of national dignity. Leaders who are willing to forgo their own comforts for the sake of repairing roads, resuscitating hospitals, modernizing schools, and cleaning our cities. We must aspire to be a country where every child can go to school without fear of a collapsing roof, where patients don’t die because there’s no ambulance, and yes—where a Ferrari can drive freely down a beautifully paved highway, not because it represents decadence, but because it symbolizes a nation that has restored functionality, pride, and purpose. Until then, we remain what we are: a nation where a Ferrari can’t travel—not because we can’t afford it, but because we’ve forgotten how to build a road. Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: [email protected], or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/ © The Zimbabwean 2005 - 2025 ...... *Chamisa rubbishes reports that he is launching a political party* (Zw news) Popular opposition politician and former Citizens Coalition for Change founding president Nelson Chamisa has poured cold water on reports that he is launching a new political party. Posting on his X handle, Chamisa urged his supporters to disregard the message. “Ignore these lies and falsehoods. “Overwhelmed and flooded by calls from anxious, restless and expectant citizens. “Disregard these sponsored lies from scared propagandists,” he said. On another note, Chamisa said Zimbabwe shall be a new and great nation governed by love, truth and justice not hate, violence, lies, deceit and corruption. “Love is the missing essential! Love is the foundation. “Love builds, Love heals. Love gives. Love forgives. Love produces. Love provides. Love protects. Love prospers! Let love lead,” he said. Zwnews ...... *Zimbabwe issues permits for cull of at least 50 elephants* (Reuters) Save Valley Conservancy is home to roughly 2,550 elephants, whereas it has a carrying capacity of 800 elephants ByReuters A group of elephants walk near a solar panel at a watering hole inside Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe, October 23, 2019 (REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo) HARARE – Zimbabwe has issued permits to cull at least 50 elephants on a reserve where there are three times more elephants than the habitat can sustain, wildlife authorities said on Tuesday. The Save Valley Conservancy in southern Zimbabwe is home to roughly 2,550 elephants, whereas it has a “carrying capacity” of 800 elephants, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said in a statement. The conservancy already moved 200 elephants to other reserves over the past five years to try to manage its elephant population. Meat from the cull will be distributed to local people to eat, while the ivory from the killed animals will be handed over to the parks authority. Zimbabwe is home to one of the largest elephant populations worldwide, and climate change has worsened human-wildlife conflict as elephants encroach on areas where people live in search of food and water. The Southern African country authorised another cull last year of about 200 elephants, the first since 1988. At the time authorities said they would distribute meat from the cull to communities affected by a severe regional drought, shortly after Namibia said it would do the same. – Reuters .... *Another Honda Fit mushikashika accident kills 2 people after overturning multiple times* (myZimbabwe) By Sekai Moyo Chipinge – Tragedy struck again on Chipinge’s roads yesterday when a Honda Fit veered off the road and overturned multiple times, claiming the lives of two people. The accident, reminiscent of a similar incident in April, has raised renewed concerns about road safety and the conduct of mushikashika operators in the area. The accident occurred at approximately 4 pm along the Skyline – Waterfalls road, near Christina Diary Farm. Manicaland Acting Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident to Chipinge Times, identifying the deceased as the driver, Norman Khumba (24) of Gaza, Chipinge, and Blessed Myambo (40) of Plot 18 Sterks Room, Chipinge. Assistant Inspector Chinyoka provided details of the accident, stating that Khumba was driving a purple Honda Fit with four passengers on board when the tragedy occurred. “Circumstances are that Khumba was driving a purple Honda Fit along the Skyline – Waterfalls road with four passengers on board. Khumba lost control of the vehicle upon reaching the 51km peg near Christina Diary Farm,” he said. According to police reports, Khumba lost control of the vehicle at the 51-kilometre peg. In an attempt to regain control, he allegedly oversteered, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and overturn multiple times. “The vehicle veered off the road and Khumba allegedly oversteered in trying to regain control. The vehicle overturned and rolled multiple times,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka explained. Following the accident, all five occupants were rushed to Chipinge District Hospital by a well-wisher. Sadly, Khumba and Myambo were pronounced dead upon arrival. Chipinge Traffic Police attended the scene to conduct investigations. The accident has left other passengers with varying degrees of injuries. One passenger remains unconscious and is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Chipinge District Hospital, while another sustained minor injuries. Miraculously, one passenger escaped the horrific incident unscathed. Assistant Inspector Chinyoka confirmed the nature of the injuries sustained by the deceased. “Khumba sustained severe head injuries and a laceration on the right hand. Myambo sustained severe head injuries,” he said. The tragic accident echoes a similar incident that occurred in Chipinge in April this year, also involving a Honda Fit mushikashika. On 21 April, a fatal road traffic accident occurred when Panashe Mhlanga, the driver of a Honda Fit, allegedly attempted to overtake in front of an oncoming vehicle at a bridge. The incident resulted in the death of Garikai Katambo (47), of Southdowns Estate, who was ejected from the vehicle as it overturned several times. Four other passengers were injured and hospitalised following the April accident. Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, who also confirmed the April accident, stated that Mhlanga is now facing a charge of culpable homicide. “On April 21, 2025 at around 2:2pm, Panashe Mhlanga (24) was driving his car with seven passengers on board along Chinheya-Chipinge Town Road. Upon reaching Nyabore Bridge, he committed himself to overtaking an unknown vehicle in the face of oncoming traffic,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said. “The vehicle veered off to the left, overturned twice and landed on its roof in the middle of the tarmac. Katambo was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal head injuries.” He added that Katambo “died upon admission at Chipinge District Hospital. Four other passengers were admitted at the hospital, while three escape unhurt. The driver is now being charged with culpable homicide.” The two accidents, both involving Honda Fit mushikashika vehicles, highlight the dangers associated with this mode of transport, particularly on Chipinge’s roads. Concerns have been raised about reckless driving, overloading, and the general disregard for traffic regulations by some mushikashika operators. ..... *What To Know About The New Zimbabwe Media Policy* (ZimEye) Mlondolozi Ndlovu By Mlondolozi Ndlovu-The Zimbabwe Media Policy, approved by Cabinet in March 2025, is presented as a transformative framework to align the country’s media landscape with democratic governance, national development, and digital innovation. Titled “Promoting Media Excellence, Diversity and National Development,” the policy outlines lofty ambitions: strengthening freedom of expression, enhancing access to information, encouraging professionalism, and asserting media sovereignty.OK Zimbabwe stores Yet beneath these aspirations lie critical legal and democratic deficiencies, including a disregard for constitutional supremacy, the absence of broad-based stakeholder consultation, and embedded risks of media criminalization. While the policy may appear progressive, it undermines fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, replicates existing legal provisions, and risks narrowing civic space through administrative coercion masquerading as reform. One of the most glaring omissions in the policy’s formulation is the failure to conduct meaningful consultation with key stakeholders — including media practitioners, civil society, academia, and the general public. A policy that purports to guide the rights and responsibilities of media actors must, by necessity, include the perspectives of those it regulates. The absence of such consultation not only violates principles of transparency and inclusivity but also silences relevant voices. The policy must adhere to democratic expectations of openness and participatory governance. The rushed and top-down approach taken by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services further undermines the policy’s credibility and casts doubt on the genuineness of its developmental intent. Consultative policymaking ensures that policies reflect lived realities. Excluding independent journalists, rural broadcasters, community media, and advocacy groups means the policy fails to address the practical needs of the very sector it seeks to regulate. Such exclusion amounts to the institutional erasure of relevant voices and has long-term implications for democratic trust and compliance. Although the policy does not explicitly create new criminal offences, it effectively introduces a regulatory framework that permits punitive enforcement mechanisms resembling criminalization. Section 4.8 outlines a series of penalties for media organisations and individuals who violate undefined or vaguely framed standards. These include loss of licenses or accreditation, blocking or removal of content, mandatory apologies, disqualification from media industry awards, and legal action such as lawsuits for defamation, privacy violations, or the dissemination of so-called falsehoods. While framed as administrative or civil measures, these tools can be easily weaponized to punish critical journalism, creating the chilling effect typically associated with criminal sanctions. Moreover, the policy creates space for the state to impose criminal liability by relying on existing legislation such as the Cyber and Data Protection Act — a law already used to target and silence dissenting voices, particularly those expressing themselves on digital platforms. In this context, the media policy reinforces, rather than replaces, a broader trend of legal repression, where statutory and regulatory frameworks are selectively enforced to suppress criticism under the pretext of protecting national interest or digital integrity. Section 2 of the Constitution establishes the supremacy of the Constitution over all laws, customs, and practices. It unequivocally states that “any law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with the Constitution is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency.” Therefore, any policy, no matter how well-intentioned, must align with constitutional provisions — particularly the Bill of Rights. The policy purports to support freedom of expression and access to information. However, it does so selectively and conditionally, focusing more on state image and sovereignty than on the rights of citizens and journalists. This approach is at odds with Section 61(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the freedom to seek, receive, and communicate ideas and other information. Section 62(1) further guarantees the right to access information held by the state or any government institution or agency. These are not privileges granted at the discretion of the executive — they are foundational freedoms that form the bedrock of a democratic society. The loose use of the term “other information” implies that any information not harmful to society should be freely communicated — including uncomfortable truths that serve the public interest or promote accountability. A policy that dictates the type or nature of information to be communicated — such as insisting only on content that protects the image and sovereignty of Zimbabwe — undermines freedom of expression. This narrows the constitutional scope of expression and risks casting legitimate critique or investigative journalism as threats to national interest.OK Zimbabwe stores In doing so, the policy compromises the essence of freedom of expression guaranteed under Section 61, which protects the right to communicate diverse ideas and information — not just those aligned with state-approved narratives. The policy is therefore restrictive and inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution. The policy’s strong emphasis on “defending national image and sovereignty” may be used to suppress dissent or critical journalism under the guise of patriotism. While nation-building is important, using patriotism to police speech, journalism, or activism undermines democracy — particularly when criticism is labeled “unpatriotic.” True patriotism is not blind obedience or glorification of the state. It is loyalty to the people and values of a nation — and a willingness to hold the state accountable when it deviates from those values. Patriotism should be encouraged, not mandated — just as in the United States and South Africa, where national loyalty is promoted through democratic values, not enforced narratives. The Constitution sets high standards for media freedoms. Section 61(4) explicitly states that freedom of the media is protected and that state-owned media must be impartial. In contrast, the policy introduces vague qualifiers to freedom of expression, referencing the need to protect Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, image, and economic interests. While national sovereignty is a legitimate concern, it cannot justify blanket censorship or suppression of dissent.OK Zimbabwe stores President Mnangagwa’s recent warning to media practitioners against disseminating “harmful information” that could tarnish Zimbabwe’s image in the eyes of global investors reflects a broader governmental posture: that media should serve state branding rather than public accountability. Such expectations undermine the watchdog role of the media — essential for democracy, transparency, and good governance. A media system that conforms only to patriotic narratives cannot fulfill its constitutional duty to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas — especially on issues of public interest, corruption, governance, and electoral integrity. One of the structural weaknesses of the policy is its redundancy. Much of what it claims to introduce already exists in national law:OK Zimbabwe stores Access to information is governed by the Freedom of Information Act [Chapter 10:33]. Media regulation is managed by the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act [Chapter 10:35]. Digital and data protection is handled under the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07]. Instead of reforming or innovating on these laws, the policy merely repackages them, adding layers of bureaucratic control without addressing core sectoral needs such as funding, independence, and the safety of journalists. It introduces new administrative requirements — such as fees for foreign media practitioners and mandatory content deposits for wildlife documentaries — but offers little in terms of actual media development or rights expansion.OK Zimbabwe stores By failing to harmonize existing laws, the policy adds complexity to an already fragmented regulatory landscape. This may deter investment, confuse media actors, and increase the potential for discretionary abuse by state officials. To be truly effective, a media policy must promote rights-based governance, align with constitutional protections, and foster an environment conducive to free expression, journalistic integrity, and technological innovation. This requires: Independent media regulation free from political interference; Public consultation in policy design and review; Legal safeguards against censorship, retaliation, or surveillance; and Investment in rural, community, and multilingual media platforms. A progressive media policy should enhance pluralism, professionalism, and participation — not control. The current policy falls short of that democratic imperative. To its credit, the policy is guided by commendable principles: media pluralism, freedom of expression, transparency, whistleblower protection, and accountability. These values reflect the language of democratic governance and align — at least rhetorically — with international standards and constitutional commitments. However, while these principles are laudable, many remain aspirational and are not supported by concrete institutional or legal mechanisms for enforcement. This is especially concerning in areas where violations are most likely to be committed by state actors — including infringements on whistleblower safety, suppression of critical media, and lack of transparency in regulatory oversight. Without independent enforcement bodies, binding legal frameworks, or clear remedial procedures, these principles risk becoming symbolic rather than substantive. That said, the policy does make some important strides toward digital modernization, professional development, and media pluralism. Initiatives such as the Media Fund, protections against workplace harassment, and efforts to promote local content and language diversity reflect a genuine attempt to align media with national development goals. In conclusion, while articulated in developmental language, the policy ultimately prioritizes control, image management, and bureaucratic oversight over media freedom, constitutional rights, and sectoral innovation. Its failure to undergo meaningful consultation, its duplication of existing legal frameworks, and its veiled endorsement of criminalization reveal a policy more concerned with managing perception than empowering citizens and institutions. In light of Section 2 of the Constitution, which affirms the supremacy of constitutional rights over any policy or custom, the Media Policy must be urgently revisited to ensure that it does not undermine the very rights it claims to promote. In a democratic nation, media freedom is not a threat to national sovereignty — it is its guarantor. Mlondolozi Ndlovu is the interim MISA Harare Advocacy Chairperson. He is also a media lecturer, legal and media researcher who writes in his own capacity. He is reachable on [email protected].