*Morning News: Wednesday 04 June 2025* *Headlines* *It’s Not A Coup: Army To Conduct Field Training In Harare Suburbs This Week* *Infant Mortality Rate Rises as Zimbabwe's Health Crisis Worsens* *Mnangagwa Urges AI-driven Governance For SADC Integration* *Zim Govt Approves Road Accident Fund Bill* *Food Lovers Closes Borrowdale And Avondale Shops As Economy Bites* *Over 100 Zimbabweans Seeking Shelter After Xenophobic Attacks Arrested In South Africa* *Zimbabwe Issues Permits For Cull Of At Least 50 Elephants* *Bulawayo City Launches Sweeping Cleanup Of Illegal Trading* *Senegal Aims To Raise Tax Collection To Cut Reliance On External Funding* *Elon Musk Slams Trump’s Signature Budget Bill As A ‘Disgusting Abomination’* *Manchester United Captain Rejects Move To Saudi Side Al-Hilal* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *It’s Not A Coup: Army To Conduct Field Training In Harare Suburbs This Week* The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) will carry out a field training exercise in Harare from Tuesday to Friday this week. In a statement, ZNA Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Hlengiwe Dube, said the daytime exercise will take place in several areas, including Glenview, Glen Norah, Kuwadzana, Dzivarasekwa, Mt Hampden, and Westgate. Colonel Dube urged the public not to panic, saying the activity is part of the army’s routine training programme. The statement reads: The Zimbabwe National Army wishes to inform the general public that one of its units is conducting a Field Training Exercise in Harare during the period 03 to 06 June 2025. The Training Exercise will be carried out in the general areas of Glenview, Glen Norah, Kuwadzana, Dzivarasekwa, Mt Hampden, and Westgate. The road to be used during the exercise is Solomon Mujuru Road, formerly known as Kirkman Road. The Exercise will be conducted during daytime and will not affect the general public’s daily routine. The public is therefore requested not to panic, as the Training Exercise is part of routine training by ZNA units. *Infant Mortality Rate Rises as Zimbabwe's Health Crisis Worsens* Harare, Zimbabwe - The infant mortality rate in Zimbabwe has seen a concerning increase, reflecting the deepening health crisis in the country. According to the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), the infant mortality rate has risen to 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, up from 38 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019. This alarming trend is attributed to various factors, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, a shortage of skilled healthcare workers, and limited access to essential medicines. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported that Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in maternal and child health, exacerbated by economic instability and a lack of resources. The Zimbabwean government has acknowledged the crisis and pledged to increase healthcare funding and improve healthcare services. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of this issue and ensure that mothers and children receive the care they need. *Key Statistics:* - Infant mortality rate: 45 deaths per 1,000 live births (ZDHS 2023) - Under-5 mortality rate: 64 deaths per 1,000 live births (ZDHS 2023) - Maternal mortality ratio: 462 deaths per 100,000 live births (ZDHS 2023) - Percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel: 68% (ZDHS 2023) The situation calls for urgent attention and action to prevent further deterioration in healthcare outcomes for Zimbabwe's most vulnerable populations. *Mnangagwa Urges AI-driven Governance For SADC Integration* Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) parliaments to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic tool to enhance democracy, deepen regional integration and improve governance efficiency. In remarks delivered during the 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum late Monday, Mnangagwa said AI could bridge the gap between parliamentarians and their constituents, allowing for more direct and frequent interaction with grassroots communities. "For SADC parliaments, the potential benefits of AI and innovative technologies are multi-pronged. These offer solutions for resource optimisation, which will in turn enable our parliamentarians to achieve greater results," he said. Beyond efficiency, Mnangagwa noted AI’s transformative role in policymaking, urging leaders to develop evidence-based, people-centred policies that reflect SADC’s – and Africa’s – unique priorities, rather than simply replicating global models. Acknowledging AI’s potential risks, Mnangagwa stressed the importance of cybersecurity, data protection and digital sovereignty to prevent technological dependence. He cited Zimbabwe’s Cyber and Data Protection Act as an example of regulatory frameworks designed to ensure fairness in AI-driven services. Mnangagwa reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s efforts to build digital capacity, citing the establishment of innovation hubs and industrial parks across universities as well as partnerships with research institutions and industry leaders to promote digital literacy and AI research. *NewZW* *Zim Govt Approves Road Accident Fund Bill* In a major step towards enhancing emergency healthcare in the country, Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Principles of the Road Accident Fund Bill, laying the groundwork for a more responsive and humane post-accident management system. Announcing the development during a post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the Bill is designed to drastically reduce deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030, through better access to emergency services and improved road safety measures. "The Road Accident Fund Bill seeks to ensure access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems while improving road safety for all Zimbabweans. It will revolutionise how we respond to road accidents by ensuring that accident survivors receive immediate and appropriate medical attention," he said. Zimbabwe's insurance framework currently offers limited support in the aftermath of road accidents as many emergency service providers are hesitant to intervene because payment for medical services is not guaranteed, while existing liability cover is often inadequate to cater for medical and funeral expenses. "The current post-accident management framework is falling short. We are addressing a critical gap where lives are being lost simply because there is no assurance of payment for emergency services or adequate coverage for victims," Dr Muswere said. The proposed Road Accident Fund will provide immediate financial recourse for medical and funeral expenses, significantly improving the capacity of health systems and emergency services to respond swiftly and effectively. It will also prioritise long-term rehabilitation and recovery support for road traffic victims, recognising that the impact of accidents extends beyond the crash site. It aims to enhance the ability of the health sector to deliver not just emergency treatment but also sustained care. The Road Accident Fund will be financed through Motor Vehicle Insurance premiums and other resources appropriated by the Treasury, ensuring sustainability without placing undue pressure on taxpayers. Meanwhile, Dr Muswere said the government plans to ramp up efforts to strengthen its pharmaceutical sector, with a target to produce 60 percent of essential medicines locally by the end of this year, as it moves to cut the import bill and boost industrial recovery. He said the pharmaceutical industry has been designated a priority sector due to its strong potential for import substitution and sustainable growth. "The strategic objective of the Pharmaceutical Value Chain is to increase the proportion of locally produced essential medicines from 30 percent to 60 percent by end of 2025, and reduce the national medicines import bill from approximately US$220 million in 2020 to around US$100 million by the end of 2025," he said. Dr Muswere said the sector has already made significant strides as local production of essential medicines has more than doubled, rising from 15 percent in 2020 to 36 percent, while capacity utilisation has climbed from 12 percent to 51 percent by 2024. He said at the same time, the number of pharmaceutical producers has increased by 56 percent, from 9 to 14 companies, showing growing investor confidence in the industry, adding though pharmaceutical exports are still lower than imports, they are trending upward. "Between 2020 and 2024, exports rose from US$4.5 million to US$5.2 million, marking a 15.6 percent increase. Furthermore, two indigenous pharmaceutical retailers have transitioned into manufacturing, thanks to targeted import management strategies," he said. Dr Muswere also highlighted a major regulatory breakthrough, saying the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has achieved Maturity Level 3 under the World Health Organisation benchmarking tool, signifying a stable and well-functioning regulatory system. He said to consolidate these gains, Government will continue to fund the National Pharmaceutical Company (NATPHARM), ensure consistent uptake of locally produced medicines by public and private health institutions, as well as introduce a Pharmaceutical Revolving Fund to provide affordable financing for local manufacturers. "Cabinet also approved the reinstatement of VAT zero-rating on pharmaceutical products, which will further support local production," he said. Additional measures include setting up local drug testing laboratories to reduce reliance on imported testing services and implementing a Sugar Content Tax, with the revenue earmarked for supporting the manufacture of essential drugs, Dr Muswere explained. *New Ziana* *Food Lovers Closes Borrowdale And Avondale Shops As Economy Bites* Food Lover’s Market has announced it will shut down two of its Harare stores — Avondale and Borrowdale — before the end of June 2025. The Borrowdale branch will be the first to go, officially closing on 8 June, while the Avondale outlet will follow two weeks later on 22 June. The company confirmed the closures on social media and thanked its customers for their support over the years. It also invited shoppers to enjoy daily in-store specials as a gesture of appreciation during the stores’ final days. In a message to the Avondale community, the retailer said it’s wrapping up trade but still offering “fresh value” with daily specials before the doors close for good. Similarly, the Borrowdale post described the store as a “local favourite” and thanked customers for their loyalty. Closure Follows OK Zimbabwe’s Takeover and Restructuring The store shutdowns come nearly two years after OK Zimbabwe — the country’s largest retail group — acquired Food Lovers Market Zimbabwe in 2023. The deal included the Avondale, Borrowdale, and Bulawayo Bradfield outlets, marking OK Zimbabwe’s shift into premium grocery retailing. However, not all Food Lovers locations were part of the sale. The Greendale branch was left out of the deal and continues to operate independently. *Tough Economy Forces Cost-Cutting and Fundraising* The closure of the two branches appears to be part of OK Zimbabwe’s efforts to streamline operations and regain financial stability. In April 2025, the company announced it was looking to raise US$30 million through a mix of rights issues, private investments, and loans. The money is intended to help restock shelves and pay off debts to suppliers. At the time, the company blamed both internal and external pressures for its cash flow issues but did not go into specifics. So far, there has been no word on whether the Bulawayo Bradfield store — the last remaining Food Lovers Market from the acquisition — will also be affected. *Over 100 Zimbabweans Seeking Shelter After Xenophobic Attacks Arrested In South Africa* 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. image/gif:29C49F29-DFBB-4E36-AF14-9FFA7D20E469/7E32CD8C-CB6F-4466-A359-43C09E5F84E3:1.000000:1.000000 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. *Groundup* *Zimbabwe Issues Permits For Cull Of At Least 50 Elephants* 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* *Bulawayo City Launches Sweeping Cleanup Of Illegal Trading* The Bulawayo City Council has raised concern over informal traders operating in unauthorised areas warning of an immediate clampdown on illegal street vending, car washing, pushcarts, and unregulated commuter activity within the Central Business District (CBD). In a statement, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the city has launched a sweeping operation to restore order and cleanliness. The crackdown targets Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) including informal vendors and service providers, who are occupying streets, pavements and other undesignated spaces. "All persons conducting unauthorised informal trading on undesignated sites in the City on the streets, pavements, roadways washing cars, repairing vehicles, commuter omnibuses and buses, deliveries on the streets, pushcarts and operators of heavy commercial vehicles in the CBD are requested to cease the illegal activities forthwith," Dube said. The notice comes amid growing public concern over congestion, litter, and rising tension between vendors and law enforcement officers. City officials said designated trading zones are available at Egodini Informal Trading Site and Bhaktas, among others in suburban areas and that prospective traders are encouraged to register with the city’s Dugmore Informal Trading offices for proper allocation. Dube said the move is legally backed by Statutory Instrument 220 of 2023, which explicitly prohibits pushcarts within specific CBD boundaries—3rd Avenue, Lobengula Street, 12th Avenue, and Robert Mugabe Road. Any breach of this regulation will result in a Level 1 fine and impounding of goods. "We urge all parties to cooperate with the authorities and operate from designated sites," Dube added. *Senegal Aims To Raise Tax Collection To Cut Reliance On External Funding* Senegal plans to boost tax compliance to increase revenue and reduce reliance on financing from external sources like the International Monetary Fund, its Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has said. The West African nation is engaging with the IMF to craft a resolution following a case of misreporting of debt and deficit levels, which led to the suspension of its $1.8 billion financing programme with the Fund. "Good tax reform... can help us withstand the 250 billion CFA francs ($437.64 million) that the IMF gives us every year," Sonko was quoted as telling Senegalese nationals living in Guinea by Le Soleil newspaper on Tuesday. Sonko's office did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Senegal has not received any disbursements from the IMF for a year, the paper quoted the prime minister as saying. "Senegal is still standing... a country does not develop by being held by the hand, but by building on its own strengths, its own resources, and its own budgetary discipline," he said. The government will make all Senegalese pay their fair share of taxes, the paper reported the prime minister as saying, to avoid raising taxes. The revelations of Senegal's understated debt have pummelled its assets. Senegal's dollar bonds have made losses of 7.3% for investors this year so far, according to a JPMorgan bond index, compared with the average gains of 3% for its Africa peers in the same time. The losses are also double the second worst performing African sovereign, Angola, whose bonds have handed investors losses of 1.5% since the start of this year. Senegal has resorted to increased debt issuance at the regional debt market, including a 405 billion CFA francs ($708.97 million) bond issued in April, attracting criticism from the opposition, which is demanding more debt transparency from the government. *Reuters* *Elon Musk Slams Trump’s Signature Budget Bill As A ‘Disgusting Abomination’* Billionaire Elon Musk has renewed his criticisms of United States President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination" in a series of social media posts. On Tuesday, just days after leaving his post in the Trump administration, Musk offered yet another broadside against the legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. "I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination," Musk wrote. "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it." His subsequent posts laid out the reasoning for his opposition, suggesting that the spending and tax cuts proposed in the bill would balloon the US national debt. "It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt," Musk said in one post. In another, he wrote, "Congress is making America bankrupt." The bill would extend tax cuts established in 2017, during Trump’s first term, and funnel more funds to his administration’s priorities, including $46.5bn for the construction of barriers at the US border with Mexico. But to accomplish those goals, critics have pointed out that the legislation would lift the cap on the national debt by $4 trillion. It would also limit access to social safety-net programmes like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known colloquially as food stamps. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan bureau that provides research to Congress, estimates that the bill will result in a $698bn reduction in Medicaid subsidies and $267bn less in funding for SNAP. Those trade-offs have spurred concern on both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and some Republicans expressing fears that their constituents may lose their access to vital government services. Fiscal conservatives, meanwhile, have baulked at the increase to the national debt. In an early-morning vote on May 22, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill by a tight vote of 215 to 214. Republicans hold a 220-seat majority in the 435-member chamber, but several members were either absent or voted "present". Only two Republicans — Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio — broke with party ranks to vote against the bill. The House’s 212 Democrats all voted against it as well, in a unified show of opposition. That sent the bill to the Senate, where Republicans likewise hold a razor-thin majority. Senators are expected to weigh the bill in the coming days. But following Musk’s criticisms of the One Big Beautiful Bill, Massie chimed in to applaud the billionaire for his frank criticism. "He’s right," Massie wrote in a brief post, to which Musk responded that his opposition was rooted in "simple math". Musk also called on voters to "fire all politicians who betrayed the American people" during the 2026 midterm elections — referencing what he considered wasteful spending. Until last week, Musk had served as a special government employee in the second Trump administration, helping to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since the president’s inauguration in January. In that advisory role, Musk was tasked with identifying and eliminating "waste" in the federal bureaucracy. His and DOGE’s efforts to slash the federal workforce, yank contracts and shutter government agencies, however, made them both a target for widespread criticism and lawsuits. Opponents accused Musk of engaging in conflicts of interest, including by attacking watchdog groups like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Federal law generally prohibits special government employees from serving for more than 130 days in a year, and Musk ended his tumultuous tenure in the Trump administration with an Oval Office sendoff last week. Trump presented the billionaire with a decorative key to the White House and called his work transformational, crediting Musk with ushering in "a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington". But in the lead-up to that goodbye, Musk appeared in previews for the TV show CBS Sunday Morning denouncing the One Big Beautiful Bill. He described its provisions as contrary to the spirit of DOGE’s spending cuts. "I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk told CBS. "I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful," he added. "I don’t know if it could be both. My personal opinion." Those comments fuelled rumours of a widening rift between Trump and Musk, who had been one of the president’s most prominent donors and proxies during his 2024 re-election campaign. Still, the Trump administration has brushed aside reports of tensions between the two men. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, for instance, shrugged off a question about Musk’s latest fusillade from her podium at the White House briefing room. " Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the president’s opinion," she said. "This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it." Leavitt did, however, blast Republican senators who opposed the legislation for "not having their facts together". One of those senators is Rand Paul of Kentucky, who voiced his support for Musk’s dissent against the bill on Tuesday. "I agree with Elon. We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake," Paul wrote. "We can and must do better." Trump, however, lashed out against Paul on social media and defended his budget bill, calling it a "WINNER". "Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can’t stand him," Trump said. "This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!" *Al Jazeera* *Manchester United Captain Rejects Move To Saudi Side Al-Hilal* Simon StoneChief football news reporter Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he rejected a huge offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Hilal because he wants to continue to "play at the highest level". The 30-year-old spent the past few days seriously considering a deal that would have more than doubled his salary at OId Trafford, where he is one of the biggest earners. However, after discussing the matter with his family, Fernandes informed Al-Hilal he would not be joining them. Speaking before Portugal's Nations League semi-final against Germany in Munich on Wednesday, Fernandes said United boss Ruben Amorim had asked him not to leave. "Manchester United said they didn't want to sell me," he said. "They said if I wanted to go I could, but they didn't need the money. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim who, throughout that period, he was pushing for me not to go." Fernandes said it was an "exciting offer" from Al-Hilal and it would have been "easy" to move to Saudi Arabia, with several Portuguese players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves currently there. However, he added: "I want to play at the highest possible level. "I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most. "For better or worse, this is how I see football and I'm passionate about football and this is the decision I've made." United are understood to be delighted by the news, which came after boss Amorim expressed his belief on Friday that Fernandes would stay. There were no direct conversations between United and Al-Hilal, so they were never presented with a bid they could turn down. However, it was expected the Saudi side were prepared to offer between £80m and £100m to sign him in time for this month's Fifa Club World Cup. It is not clear whether Al-Hilal will now pursue new targets. Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for the club since his £47m move from Sporting in January 2020. Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville told Sky Sports he believes the transfer would not have been a poor deal for the Old Trafford club but added: "He's so important. "The fact that he wants to stay, the fact that he wants to go through this and come out the other side, because it would have been easy for him at the end of this season to say, 'Look, I'm done here', will endear him towards Manchester United fans even more. "To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, 'No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things', I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character. "The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them." *BBC*