*_AFTERNOON NEWS | 4 JUNE 2025_* *_Join our Group:_* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAiZu0HQbS0w1lUez3v — — — — — — — — — — — — *1.* Zimbabwe National Army warns Harare residents ahead of military drills *2.* More Belvedere homes face demolition as High Court boots developer over fake papers *3.* President Mnangagwa’s diary today *4.* RBZ governor says ZiG inflation to remain high until September after soaring to 92.1% *5.* Street vendors, push carts, car washes face eviction in Bulawayo CBD *6.* Journalist released after being arrested for conducting clean up *7.* City of Harare official fined for illegal parking, ordered to pay using personal funds *8.* Police launches probe after ‘birthday-girl’ smoking video go viral *_FULL ARTICLES BELOW_* 1. *ZIMBABWE NATIONAL ARMY WARNS HARARE RESIDENTS AHEAD OF MILITARY DRILLS* The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has announced it will be conducting routine field training exercises in parts of Harare from 3 to 6 June 2025. The military is urging residents not to be alarmed by increased army presence in suburbs such as Glen View, Glen Norah, Kuwadzana, Dzivarasekwa, Mt Hampden, and Westgate. In a notice issued by Colonel Hlengiwe Dube, the army’s spokesperson, the ZNA clarified that this is not a security operation, but part of regular training to ensure that military personnel stay ready and alert. “The Exercise will be conducted during day time 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,” the statement urged. Most of the movement will be along Solomon Mujuru Road (formerly Kirkman Road). While residents are encouraged to continue with their normal activities, they are advised to remain cautious, especially when approaching military vehicles or convoys. The announcement comes at a time when many Zimbabweans are sensitive to increased military visibility in towns and cities, but the army stressed this exercise was planned well in advance and is not a response to any threat or emergency. Anyone with concerns or questions can contact the ZNA Public Relations Directorate at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare. *_-iHarare_* 2. *MORE BELVEDERE HOMES FACE DEMOLITION AS HIGH COURT BOOTS DEVELOPER OVER FAKE PAPERS* The High Court has ruled that Brickstone Builders and Contractors must vacate a piece of municipal land in Ridgeview, Belvedere, after it emerged the company had no legal right to be there. The court found that Brickstone occupied the property and began construction without any official approval from the City of Harare. Justice Regis Dembure granted the City’s request to evict the company, stating clearly that Brickstone had no lawful authority — direct or implied — to occupy or develop the land. Brickstone could not produce basic documents such as a council allocation letter, a lease agreement, or a written resolution from the city — all of which are required before taking over municipal land. Officials from the City of Harare, including Edgar Dzehonye and Isaiah Chawatama, stressed that these documents are essential. In short, they said Brickstone shouldn’t have been on the land in the first place. Things got worse for Brickstone when the city revealed that a letter the company had used to back its claim — allegedly from the Ministry of Local Government — was forged. Both the ministry’s Chief Director, Mr Mushamba, and the official whose name was on the document, Mr Madzivire, denied ever signing or writing it. That forged letter was the basis of an interim court order Brickstone secured in July 2023, which it used to begin construction. But even after the court made it clear no further building was allowed, the company continued developing the site without submitting proper building plans. In response, Harare City Council demolished 30 illegal structures on the land. Only those protected under the temporary court order were spared. Justice Dembure has now given Brickstone seven days to leave the property. If the company fails to comply, the court has authorised the Sheriff of Zimbabwe to remove them and anyone else claiming rights through them. This ruling leaves dozens of would-be homeowners in limbo. Many had bought residential stands from Brickstone, unaware that the paperwork behind the deals was fake. Directors of the company, Lilian Chitanga and Spencer Mabheka, were arrested in September 2024 and charged with forgery and fraud. Authorities allege they used fake documents to sell over 50 stands for between US$25,000 and US$40,000 each. Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed that all the allocation letters and lease agreements given to buyers were fraudulent. Most of the homes built on those stands have already been torn down. *_-iHarare_* 3. *PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA’S DIARY TODAY* President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa will host the University of Zambia (UNZA) Law Class of 1975 Reunion at 12:30 hrs today (04/06/25) at the State House. President Mnangagwa studied law in Zambia in the 70s, the college which boasts of having produced three Presidents, Levy Mwanawasa, Edgar Lungu both of Zambia and Mnangagwa. Apparently, on the 5th of June 2025, the President will receive credentials of Ambassadors-Designate from Tanzania and Malawi at 0900hrs at the State House. At 11:30 hours, he will commission the Geo-Pomona Waste Management Plant and Refuse Collection Equipment in Pomona. Pomona Waste To Energy Power Station, also Harare Solid Waste Plant, is a 22 MW (30,000 hp) solid waste-fired thermal power plant under development in Zimbabwe. The Harare City Council awarded Geogenix BV, a Dutch waste management company, the concession contract to design, finance, construct, operate, maintain and own the power station for thirty years after commercial commissioning. As raw material, the power station is designed to use solid waste gathered from homes, businesses and industries in the city of Harare, the country’s national capital. A 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed between the developers of the power station and Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). *_-ZwNews_* 4. *RBZ GOVERNOR SAYS ZIG INFLATION TO REMAIN HIGH UNTIL SEPTEMBER AFTER SOARING TO 92.1%* The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has warned that annual inflation for the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency will likely remain high until September 2025, after reaching a peak of 92.1% in May. RBZ Governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu, revealed this in a statement on Wednesday. “The high inflation figures are a result of what you call the base effect of a new currency and also the once-off shock September 2024 effect which saw a spike in prices,” Speaking at a press briefing on 3 June 2025, Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu addressed growing public concern about rising prices and inflation. He explained that the 92.1% figure, up from 85.7% in April, was largely due to statistical distortions. “The ZiG was introduced as a new currency in April 2024 and there was no base to calculate annual inflation figures up until May this year when 12 months lapsed,” — Mushayavanhu explained. He added that a sharp rise in prices in October 2024—following a spike from 5.8% to 37.2% in month-on-month inflation—was skewing the year-on-year numbers. RBZ says the monthly inflation has been under 1% for the past three months, indicating underlying price stability. Dr Mushayavanhu said the inflation figures would stabilise later this year. “But overall the nation should expect a low annual inflation figures from around September 2025 which will provide a real picture of our inflation figures which will drastically come down,” — he said. He emphasised that the current high annual rate does not reflect the true picture on the ground and should not cause panic among the public. The RBZ encouraged Zimbabweans to pay more attention to month-on-month inflation, which directly impacts purchasing power. The central bank believes this metric gives a clearer view of the economic environment. To further calm fears, the governor pointed to the strong backing behind the ZiG currency. The nation’s reserves have reportedly grown significantly. “Our reserves have grown at an unprecedented rate from US$257 million (approximately R4.8 billion) to just under US$700 million (approximately R13.2 billion) within a year of the ZiG’s introduction,” — Mushayavanhu stated. The Reserve Bank reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining tight monetary policy to ensure continued price and exchange rate stability. “The prudent monetary policy management being pursued by the Reserve Bank will engender price, currency and exchange rate stability,” — concluded the governor in a written statement dated 4 June 2025. *_-iHarare_* 5. *STREET VENDORS, PUSH CARTS, CAR WASHES FACE EVICTION IN BULAWAYO CBD* The City of Bulawayo has launched a new crackdown on unauthorised informal trading and related activities in the Central Business District (CBD), urging all traders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to follow city by-laws. In a notice issued on Monday, Town Clerk Christopher Dube warned that street vending, operating from pavements and roadways, car washing, vehicle repairs, and unregulated deliveries must stop immediately. The city said such activities are contributing to disorder and a lack of cleanliness in the CBD. As part of the clean-up operation, city officials will begin removing illegal trading stalls. Those operating outside approved trading zones risk fines and having their goods confiscated. Said Dube: _The city is conducting an operation to remove unauthorized activities and restore order and cleanliness._ _Designated informal trading sites exist, including Egodini Informal Trading and Bhakats Site, and traders can seek assistance at Dugmore Informal Trading offices._ Dube also stressed that under Statutory Instrument 220 of 2023, push carts are banned in certain areas of the CBD. Violators will be penalised under the law. *_-Pindula_* 6. *JOURNALIST RELEASED AFTER BEING ARRESTED FOR CONDUCTING CLEAN UP* Police last night released veteran journalist Matthew Takaona, who is now Masvingo Mirror newspaper publisher. Takaona also an opposition activist, was arrested with others for merely cutting grass at a dangerous road stretch around Mushayavanhu Primary School in Gutu. They did so without telling a local Zanu PF councillor Benson Dandira. Takaona was arrested by a crack police and intelligence unit, Ferret, for an activity which lawyers said was perfectly lawful. Police failed to find and prefer a charge against Takaona, forcing them to release him. Zimbabweans have been living under the jackboot of Zanu PF authoritarian political repression for 45 years now. *_-ZwNews_* 7. *CITY OF HARARE OFFICIAL FINED FOR ILLEGAL PARKING, ORDERED TO PAY USING PERSONAL FUNDS* A City of Harare official has been fined after a viral video showed a municipal vehicle left dangerously and illegally parked — apparently after the driver failed to parallel park properly. The council confirmed that the driver will pay the fine from personal funds and face disciplinary action. “Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media showing a City of Harare vehicle illegally parked,” the local authority stated in a Facebook post. “Appropriate action will be taken against the driver who dangerously parked the car causing inconveniences to our residents.” The statement continued: “Besides disciplinary action to be taken, the driver has been issued with a ticket for illegal parking which he will pay using personal funds.” The vehicle, clearly marked as a City of Harare unit, was caught on camera in what appeared to be a failed attempt at parallel parking. The footage shows the vehicle parked at an awkward angle, jutting out onto the road and obstructing part of the traffic lane. “Parallel parking not for the faint-hearted,” joked Rufaro Mutanhaurwa on Facebook. Many viewers believed the driver abandoned the attempt after struggling to position the vehicle correctly. “Looks like the guy can’t drive. Failing parallel parking,” commented Eshuety Muntanga Snr. “Hagone parking,” added Leo Villa Ndoro, which loosely translates to “He can’t park properly.” The video triggered immediate backlash online, with many questioning why the vehicle wasn’t clamped or towed like private vehicles often are. “Why is it not clamped?” asked Shephard Gombedza. “Can you clamp it and tow it then let him pay the clamping fee?” wrote Tellmore Tanda. “Ko madii kuiClamper and tow it away?” said Adrian Magombedze, meaning “Why didn’t you clamp and tow it?” Tanya Rehub Nails demanded more transparency: “Musatifendere isai ticket racho pano, why was it not clamped in the first place?” (“Don’t cover for each other — show us the ticket, why wasn’t it clamped?”) Facebook users demanded that the City provide evidence of the fine and disciplinary action. “We need ma V11, isai ticket pano,” said Admire Sabawu, using slang to call for documentary proof. “It was going to knock some sense if you attached the ticket to your note,” added Allan Jack Dosantos. The City has not yet released an image of the ticket or confirmed the specific fine amount. Despite the City’s response, the incident has reignited debate over whether government vehicles are held to the same enforcement standards as private citizens. *_-iHarare_* 8. *POLICE LAUNCHES PROBE AFTER ‘BIRTHDAY-GIRL’ SMOKING VIDEO GO VIRAL* The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it has taken note of a viral video in which a schoolgirl, dressed in school uniform, is seen smoking what appears to be dagga during a purported birthday celebration, with other students in the background singing a happy birthday song. Investigations are in progress. Anyone with information is being invited to report at any nearest Police Station. In other news, On 02/06/25, detectives from Criminal Investigations Department Drugs and Narcotics, Harare who were in surveillance along Simon Mazorodze Road arrested a cross border bus conductor, Nobert Gumbo (33) at Houghton Park Roundabout in connection with unlawful possession of 14 kilogrammes of dagga. Meanwhile, Christine Chambati (39) was arrested at Madokero Mall, Harare for unlawful possession of dagga. The dagga was recovered by detectives stashed in the suspect’s satchel. The problem of drug and substance abuse has become a serious one in the country, with analysts warn of a lost generation. *_-ZwNews_*