_*TRENDING STORIES || THE HEADLINES*_ *Kudakwashe Tagwirei Elevated To ZANU PF Central Committee* *No Time For Sideshows, Nelson Chamisa Declares* *Nyokayemabhunu Court Case Postponed To 27 June* *“University Of Zimbabwe Now A Factory Of Fake Degrees”* *Go Back To Mnangagwa: Zimbabwean Woman Chased Off Streets Of South Africa* *Defence Lawyers Question Discrepancies In Mai Jeremaya’s Rape Testimony* *Former Zambian president Edgar Lungu to be buried in SA* *Mbofana; Why do African leaders flee to foreign hospitals instead of fixing theirs at home?* *Airtime Vendor Demands 40k Compensation From Mnangagwa Over Unlawful Arrest* *Zimbabwe woman sells infant via Facebook* *Zimbabwe Faces $15 Million Annual Shortfall for Contraceptive Supplies* *THE DETAILS WITH IGNITE MEDIA ZIMBABWE* _*Kudakwashe Tagwirei Elevated To ZANU PF Central Committee*_ Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has officially joined the ZANU PF Central Committee, the ruling party’s highest decision-making body outside of congress. The move, confirmed by party secretary for legal affairs Patrick Chinamasa, marks a significant political elevation for the prominent tycoon and long-time party benefactor. New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012. Tagwirei’s co-option comes amid growing speculation about ZANU PF’s succession race, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa entering the final three years of his second and constitutionally final term. With his new role, Tagwirei is now considered one of the potential contenders to take over the party leadership in the future. Although the initial recommendation for his appointment came from ZANU PF’s Masvingo province, it was Harare province that ultimately made space for him in the powerful 300-member committee. Chinamasa described Tagwirei as “a dormant but committed ZANU PF party cadre,” saying the businessman has long worked behind the scenes in a low-profile party role within Harare province. He praised Tagwirei’s loyalty and continued support for the party, even while staying out of the public spotlight. Tagwirei’s entry into formal politics marks a new chapter for the businessman, who has previously wielded considerable influence through his business empire and close ties to top government officials. Said Chinamasa: From being, for a long time, a dormant but committed Zanupf Party Cadre, loyally working quietly and outside the public limelight or glare, holding some low-ranking position in some Zanupf Party District under Harare Province, your recent cooption into the Zanupf Central Committee is a breath of fresh air and will certainly be impactful to Zanupf’s political fortunes in Harare City and perhaps in other urban settings as well. I am, of course, referring to Cde Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who has recently been coopted into the Zanupf Central Committee by the Zanupf Harare Provincial Council. I have no hesitation in assuring those of us who are skeptics that Harare Province will never be the same again. Cde Tagwirei, who has erupted from his dormant state like a volcano, is destined to add value to our deliberations as a Zanupf Central Committee. Welcome aboard, Cde Tagwirei, and brace yourself to the fact that there will be malcontents out there who will bay for https://chat.whatsapp.com/HpIOcrXbfwfKfGixmFkF3V your blood and try to throw mud at you with a view to seeking to tarnish your reputation. I know you are made of sterner stuff and that you can take any brickbats and insults in your stride. _*No Time For Sideshows, Nelson Chamisa Declares*_ Opposition leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa has boldly declared that he remains unfazed by the growing wave of negative social media commentary, vowing to stay the course in his political journey despite intensified efforts to distract and discredit him. In a statement released on Friday via his official platforms, the former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader underscored the importance of remaining principled and unshakable in the face of mounting criticism. “LEADERSHIP TIPS…A leader must be principled, unshakable, consistent and not buyable or purchasable,” Chamisa wrote. “Keep the promise. Refuse compromise. Never get neutralized. Never be diluted. Stick to your gut. Stick to your guns. Ignore their attacks, hate, sideshows, lies and propaganda. #lead #integrity” Chamisa’s remarks come at a time when Zanu PF hardliners and aligned social media voices appear to be intensifying efforts to discredit his leadership, often through orchestrated narratives and unfounded allegations. The sideshows—ranging from smear campaigns to insinuations aimed at questioning his credibility—have done little to shake the youthful opposition figure. Close allies to the opposition leader suggest that the attacks are part of a broader campaign to distract the public from the real issues facing the country, including economic decline, rising poverty levels, and growing public discontent. “Chamisa has been clear—he is focused on the bigger picture,” said a source within his political circle. “Zanu PF hardliners are trying to discredit him, but he is not taking the bait. He won’t be derailed by propaganda and petty politics.”New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012. Observers note that Chamisa’s continued message of integrity and consistency resonates with many Zimbabweans, particularly the youth, who see him as a symbol of hope and change. As political tensions simmer, Chamisa’s unwavering stance sends a clear signal: he has no time for sideshows. His focus, as he has repeatedly stated, remains on building a just, democratic, and accountable Zimbabwe. _*Nyokayemabhunu Court Case Postponed To 27 June*_ The latest prosecution court case against ZANU PF activist Wellington Masiwa has been adjourned again. Masiwa, popularly known as Nyokayemabhunu, briefly appeared at Randburg Magistrates Court on Friday. He is facing a litany of hearings over immigration and also over charges of fraud. An announcement was made that the case will now be adjourned to 27 June due to staff shortages. _*”University Of Zimbabwe Now A Factory Of Fake Degrees”*_ The Association of University Teachers (AUT) at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has criticised the institution’s leadership, alleging that the university has devolved into a “factory of fake degrees” under the stewardship of Vice Chancellor Paul Mapfumo. In a statement, the AUT declared that the University of Zimbabwe has “lost its integrity, its credibility, and its reputation.” The association pointed to what it called the “one-day learning and exam farce” as merely a symptom of a much larger, insidious scheme designed to “churn out students who are not educated, but merely certified.” The lecturers did not spare senior academic staff, accusing chairpersons and deans of complicity in this “charade” and “travesty,” asserting that they have abandoned their duty to uphold the highest educational standards. The AUT statement read: The students are being sold fake degrees, degrees that are not worth the paper they are printed on. They are being robbed of their right to a quality education, their right to a bright future, and their right to a decent life. The AUT specifically singled out Vice Chancellor Paul Mapfumo, labelling him a “master of deception, a virtuoso of fake degrees.” The association claims that Mapfumo has orchestrated a system where students are “forced to buy their degrees, where students are forced to pay for grades, and where students are forced to pay for their certification.” The lecturers’ body urged all stakeholders to “stand up against this factory of fake degrees.” They demanded “a quality education, a bright future, and a decent life,” saying “the students, the lecturers, and the nation deserve better.” _*Go Back To Mnangagwa: Zimbabwean Woman Chased Off Streets Of South Africa*_ A disturbing video circulating on social media has sparked outrage after it showed a Zimbabwean woman being verbally attacked and chased off the streets of Pretoria, South Africa, by a group of local women. The video, which is just under two minutes long, captures a tense and humiliating encounter. In it, several South African women can be heard shouting at the Zimbabwean national, accusing her of tarnishing https://chat.whatsapp.com/HpIOcrXbfwfKfGixmFkF3V their country’s image and blaming her for bringing poverty into their communities. “We are tired of your poverty, go back to Zimbabwe and fix your problems with Mnangagwa,” one woman is heard yelling.New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012.Another adds, “We don’t want to see you here in Pretoria again. Go back to Zimbabwe. When tourists come here, they think you are a South African woman. You are soiling our image.” The visibly shaken Zimbabwean woman does not retaliate in the clip but is seen slowly backing away as the group continues to berate her. The video has drawn strong reactions online, with human rights activists and members of the Zimbabwean diaspora condemning the harassment as xenophobic and inhumane. Some commentators noted the irony in blaming individual migrants for structural political and economic issues. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of the hostility many Zimbabweans face while trying to survive outside their own collapsing economy,” said a Twitter user who shared the video. “Blaming ordinary people for decisions made by governments is both cruel and shortsighted.” Zimbabwe has seen a wave of emigration in recent years, with many fleeing economic hardship, unemployment, and political repression under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. South Africa, due to its proximity and relatively better opportunities, has become a common destination. However, tensions between locals and migrants have flared periodically, with accusations that foreign nationals are taking jobs, increasing crime, or contributing to the country’s social challenges—claims that are widely disputed and often unsubstantiated. As the video continues to circulate, calls are growing for South African authorities to condemn the harassment and take steps to protect foreign nationals, while also urging Zimbabwean leadership to address the root causes of the exodus. For many, the incident underscores a deeper, more painful question: Where can people turn when their own country is no longer a safe or viable home—and when those who should offer refuge greet them with scorn instead? _*Defence Lawyers Question Discrepancies In Mai Jeremaya’s Rape Testimony*_ Lawyers representing Thabo Blessing Dube and Martin Charlie, two men accused of raping social media personality Mai Jeremaya, on Tuesday highlighted discrepancies between her court testimony and the three statements she gave to the police. Mai Jeremaya, whose real name is Ashley Masendeke, has accused Dube and Charlie of gang-raping her at a Harare lodge on April 30 this year. The trial resumed with the continuation of cross-examination, during which the defence teams, led by Shepherd Makonde and George Manokore, pressed Masendeke on inconsistencies between her evidence-in-chief, delivered last Friday, and her earlier police statements. The defence further questioned the credibility of a man identified only as “Sam,” whom Masendeke claims initially contacted her before the alleged incident. Makonde suggested that “Sam” might be a fictitious character created by the complainant. Said Makonde: I take it it’s you who just saved his number as Sam because, according to the evidence before this court, you never met with this Sam. In response, Masendeke said she had concluded that Dube had been using the pseudonym “Sam” to lure her. However, when asked to produce forensic evidence, such as mobile service provider records, linking Dube to the number saved as “Sam,” she admitted she did not have any such evidence. Due to time constraints, the matter was rolled over to Friday, 20 June, when the defence is expected to continue cross-examining Masendeke on the substance of the allegations. During her evidence-in-chief last week, Masendeke emotionally recounted the alleged assault, claiming she had pleaded with Charlie to use protection moments before the alleged rape. She described in graphic detail how the incident unfolded and claimed it has since shattered her eight-year relationship with her partner. H-Metro _*Former Zambian president Edgar Lungu to be buried in SA*_ The family of Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu says he will be buried in South Africa in a private ceremony following a row with the government over the funeral arrangements. Late on Thursday, President Hakainde Hichilema cut short a period of national mourning after Lungu's family refused to allow his body to be repatriated from South Africa as planned. His funeral had been set for Sunday in Zambia's capital, Lusaka. The family now says it will announce later when Lungu will be buried in Johannesburg in "dignity and peace". It will be the first time a former head of state of another country is buried in South Africa. In his will, Lungu said that Hichilema, his long-time rival, should not attend his funeral. The government and his family later agreed he would have a state funeral before relations broke down over the precise arrangements. Funeral row causes chaos for mourners of Zambia's ex-president "We wish to announce that the funeral and burial of our beloved Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu will take place here in South Africa, in accordance with the family's wishes for a private ceremony," family spokesperson Makebi Zulu said in a statement. Mr Zulu thanked the South African government for "non-interference" and honouring the family's decision and desire during "this deeply emotional period". In his address on Thursday, President Hichilema said that Lungu, as a former president, "belongs to the nation of Zambia" and his body should therefore "be buried in Zambia with full honours, and not in any other nation". However, because of the row, he announced an immediate end to the mourning period, saying the country needed to "resume normal life". "The government has done everything possible to engage with the family of our departed sixth president," he said. The national mourning period initially ran from 8 to 14 June but was later extended until 23 June, with flags flying at half-mast and radio stations playing solemn music. President Hichilema and senior officials had been prepared to receive Lungu's coffin with full military honours on Wednesday. However, Lungu's family blocked the repatriation of his remains at the last minute, saying the government had reneged on its agreement over the funeral plans. The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), the party Lungu led until his death, has stood with the family over the funeral plans. "The government has turned a solemn occasion into a political game," said PF acting president Given Lubinda. "This is not how we treat a former head of state." Civil society groups have called for an urgent resolution of the matter, with a section of religious leaders saying the stand-off was "hurting the dignity of our country". "We appeal for humility, dialogue, and a resolution that honours the memory of the former president while keeping the nation united," said Emmanuel Chikoya, head of the Council of Churches in Zambia. Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died earlier this month in South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. After six years as head of state, Lungu lost the 2021 election to Hichilema by a large margin. He stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray. He had ambitions to vie for the presidency again but at the end of last year the Constitutional Court barred him from running, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012. Despite his disqualification from the presidential election, he remained hugely influential in Zambian politics and did not hold back in his criticism of his successor. _*Mbofana; Why do African leaders flee to foreign hospitals instead of fixing theirs at home?*_ Once again, Africa finds itself watching in stunned silence as one of its most powerful monarchs, King Mswati III of eSwatini, reportedly battles a deteriorating health condition that has stirred growing concern within and beyond the tiny kingdom. According to media reports citing confidential royal sources, the king was recently rushed under emergency circumstances to his private hospital in Manzana after weeks of speculation over his wellbeing. His frailty has become difficult to conceal, with visible signs of rapid weight loss during recent public appearances sparking rumours of a serious medical condition. While plans had allegedly been underway to fly the king out of the country for treatment, sources say his condition was deemed too fragile for immediate travel. As a result, his medical team decided to admit him locally while preparations continue. These developments have drawn fresh attention not only to the monarch’s health, but also to a much broader African problem—one that stretches from royal palaces to presidential estates: why do our leaders always have to be flown abroad when their health fails? Why, after decades in power and control over national budgets, are their own countries’ hospitals never good enough for them? This is not a new phenomenon. Over the years, we have seen a disturbing trend where African leaders, upon facing serious health challenges, conveniently flee their nations to receive treatment in faraway countries—ironically, in the same Western nations they publicly blame for the continent’s woes. They shamelessly turn to these former colonial powers for care and refuge, leaving behind their own crumbling health systems that they have governed—sometimes for decades—yet failed to improve. The irony is stark, and the insult to the suffering masses is unforgivable. How does a leader, who has presided over a nation for decades, not trust the same public healthcare system he oversees? If these hospitals are not good enough for our leaders, why should they be good enough for the people they lead? If these leaders cannot walk into a hospital built under their own administration and receive treatment, is that not the ultimate admission of failure? Yet, rather than being shamed into action, they continue this cycle—living lavishly at home, and dying quietly in foreign hospitals. Across the continent, this pattern repeats itself. We witnessed how Zimbabwe’s late President Robert Mugabe frequently flew to Singapore for medical attention, eventually dying there. His family is believed to have since established themselves in that country. Meanwhile, Zimbabwean public hospitals are starved of basic resources—antibiotics, painkillers, functioning incubators—leaving millions of ordinary citizens at the mercy of dilapidated wards and overworked nurses. Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari became a symbol of the trend, having spent several extended periods in London for medical treatment during his presidency, often shrouded in secrecy. Gabon’s President Ali Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 while in Saudi Arabia and remained there for months during his recovery. Angola’s former President José Eduardo dos Santos also followed this pattern, receiving long-term treatment in Spain, where he eventually died in a Barcelona clinic in 2022. These are just a few among many African leaders who, despite decades in power and vast access to national resources, still found it necessary to entrust their health to foreign systems rather than their own. So many African leaders, dead or alive, have more faith in Western medicine than the systems they oversee. Yet this is the same continent that possesses some of the richest natural resources on earth. Africa is home to 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including 40% of global gold, 90% of chromium and platinum, and more than 70% of the world’s cobalt.New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012.The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone holds an estimated 3.5 million metric tons of cobalt—crucial for electric vehicles and batteries in the green energy transition. Zimbabwe is said to possess around 220,000 metric tons of lithium reserves, placing it among the top ten globally. Nigeria, Angola, and Algeria sit on billions of barrels of proven oil reserves. In 2023, Africa’s mineral wealth generated more than $300 billion, yet so little of this is reflected in local development or healthcare investment. Africa is also an agro-based continent. We possess 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, with diverse climates and fertile soil that can support large-scale food production. Countries like Zambia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia boast ideal conditions for maize, wheat, and coffee production. Yet, rather than becoming the breadbasket of the world, Africa remains a net importer of food—spending over $50 billion annually to buy what we should be growing ourselves. Agricultural productivity remains stifled by poor investment, outdated methods, and corruption. If properly harnessed, our land could feed not only ourselves but the world. Amid this unimaginable potential lies a tragic paradox. A growing number of African citizens live in extreme poverty, many earning less than $2.15 a day, the World Bank’s international poverty line. According to the African Development Bank, over 431 million Africans currently live below this threshold. In some countries, such as Nigeria, over 40% of the population is considered extremely poor. Meanwhile, some African leaders are listed among the wealthiest individuals on the continent, their riches hidden away in offshore accounts and luxury real estate around the world. Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, for instance, is reported to have billions of dollars stashed abroad, while his son, Vice President Teodorin, has been convicted in European courts for embezzling hundreds of millions of public funds. In Zimbabwe, the infamous Gold Mafia exposé by Al Jazeera pulled back the curtain on how the country’s gold was being illegally siphoned off to Dubai by cartels with alleged ties to the ruling elite. These illicit proceeds were reportedly being used to build luxury mansions and establish financial footholds in the UAE, far away from the economic decay at home. It is suspected that these investments are part of a succession strategy—a safety net for life after power. In the meantime, Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure has become a death trap for the poor. Maternity wards without gloves, cancer patients turned away due to lack of chemotherapy drugs, and dialysis patients dying for lack of equipment are common realities. This looting and decay persist in a post-colonial Africa where infrastructure—once left in relatively good condition by the colonizers—has crumbled under the weight of corruption, neglect, and incompetence. At independence, many African countries inherited health, transport, and education systems that were among the best on the continent. Zimbabwe, for example, had one of the finest public health systems in Africa, with Parirenyatwa and Mpilo Hospitals offering quality care. Yet decades later, the rot has reached an irredeemable level. When African leaders opt to flee to their former colonial rulers for care, they are unwittingly admitting the effectiveness of systems built by outsiders and the shame of their own inability to replicate or improve upon them. It’s as if they are saying: we have failed ourselves, and now must rely on those we once fought against. That is an indictment not of colonialism—but of our post-colonial leadership. While these leaders luxuriate in foreign medical suites, ordinary Africans are left to die at the hands of failing systems. Pregnant women bleed to death on hospital benches. Cancer patients lose their battles before even getting an appointment. Children die of diarrhea for lack of clean water and basic rehydration. These are not isolated tragedies—they are systemic failures. It is time for Africans to demand more from those who lead them. Leadership must come with responsibility—and consequences. We cannot continue to be led by those who rob the continent blind and then abandon it in times of need. Africa deserves leaders who believe in their countries, invest in their people, and stay to fight when things fall apart. We must no longer tolerate the shame of being abandoned by those entrusted with our collective future. If our hospitals are not good enough for our presidents, then they are not good enough for our people. And if our leaders cannot fix them, then they do not deserve to lead. Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 _*Airtime Vendor Demands 40k Compensation From Mnangagwa Over Unlawful Arrest*_ A Masvingo-based airtime vendor is seeking US$40,000 in damages from the Zimbabwean government, claiming he was unlawfully arrested, wrongfully detained, and maliciously prosecuted—an ordeal he says cost him not only his freedom, but the life of his young daughter. Michael Zumba filed the lawsuit at the Masvingo Magistrates Court through his lawyer, Martin Mureri of Matutu and Mureri Legal Practitioners, on June 6, 2025. The suit names Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe, Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, and two officers—Detective Constable Dzingirai and Detective Constable Mabheka of Masvingo Central Police Station—as respondents. Zumba was arrested on April 24, 2024, while selling airtime at Yeukai Business Centre. Officers accused him of illegally changing foreign currency, even though, according to court documents, they only found R20, US$20, and airtime cards on him. “They searched me thoroughly and found nothing except a few rand and some airtime I was selling. That was my livelihood,” Zumba said in an interview. He was denied bail and held in remand prison for four weeks. During his incarceration, on May 21, 2024, Zumba’s two-year-old daughter, Beauty Matipashe Zumba, passed away. He says he was denied the chance to see or bury her. New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012. “I was helpless behind bars while my baby died. It broke me. I had committed no crime,” Zumba said. In a ruling delivered by Masvingo Magistrate Nomagugu Sibanda, Zumba was acquitted after the court found no evidence that he had been engaged in illegal money-changing activities. Magistrate Sibanda noted that the arrest had no legal foundation, as there was nothing linking Zumba to any currency dealings. Zumba now seeks compensation for what he calls the destruction of his reputation, emotional trauma, and financial loss. His claim includes US$15,000 for wrongful arrest, US$10,000 for unlawful detention, US$10,000 for malicious prosecution, and US$5,000 to cover legal expenses incurred defending himself. “Notice was given to the defendants of the plaintiff’s intention to sue in terms of Section 6 of the State Liabilities Act (Chapter 08:14). The defendants have refused or neglected to pay despite lawful demand,” reads part of the application. The lawsuit emphasizes the lasting harm suffered by Zumba due to what his legal team describes as gross misconduct and abuse of police powers. “The plaintiff prays for an order for the payment of US$40,000 for damages by the defendants, the one paying the other to be absolved, and costs of suit on an attorney-client scale,” the court papers further state. As of this week, Zumba was in the process of formally serving the lawsuit to the named parties. _*Zimbabwe woman sells infant via Facebook*_ A 27-year-old woman from Bulawayo, Christable Muringani, appeared before Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande on Wednesday facing charges of human trafficking after allegedly selling her newborn baby through Facebook. Muringani was remanded in custody until June 25, while her co-accused, 20-year-old Tabeth Chenyika, was released on US$200 bail. According to state prosecutor Heather Muwokoto, Muringani, who was pregnant at the time, expressed her intention to have her unborn child adopted through a post on a Facebook page called "Adoptions" in January this year. She then connected with Chenyika, and the two conspired to illegally arrange for the infant's adoption soon after birth. On February 9, Muringani traveled from Bulawayo to Harare, claiming she had been referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital for a fibroids operation. She registered her pregnancy at the Mbuya Nehanda maternity wing of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and delivered a baby girl via elective cesarean section on February 25. Both mother and newborn were discharged on February 29. Throughout the registration, admission, delivery, and discharge process, Muringani and Chenyika remained in contact. On March 6, the two met in Letombo, Msasa, where Muringani handed over the 10-day-old infant to Chenyika. Following a tip-off alleging that Muringani had disposed of the newborn, police arrested her on March 29. Subsequent investigations led to Chenyika's arrest and the recovery of the infant, who was placed under the care of the Department of Social Welfare for safekeeping. The case continues as investigations proceed. _*Zimbabwe Faces $15 Million Annual Shortfall for Contraceptive Supplies*_ Zimbabwe is facing an annual shortfall of close to US$15 million worth of contraceptive supplies to reach the demand for them as reported by the National Family planning council. According to the organisation, they have been operating at a huge deficit of contraceptive drugs and measures for the past years. The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has initiated high-level discussions with parliamentary oversight committees to address critical funding gaps in reproductive health services. Today’s strategic meeting in Kadoma brings together the Health and Child Care Committee with the Budget and Finance Committee to develop sustainable financing mechanisms.New members who wish to receive daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should WhatsApp ‘join’ to 071 9999 012.While acknowledging the Second Republic’s efforts in boosting local financing, including $4.5 million allocated for contraceptive procurement between 2022 and 2024, authorities recognise this covers only a fraction of the annual requirement. ZNFPC Chief Executive Farai Machinga emphasized the persistent shortfall: “Our $15 million yearly contraceptive budget remains largely unmet, particularly as external funding sources diminish.” Family Planning Council Proposes Innovative Financing Models The council proposes two key solutions to bridge the funding gap like the mandatory inclusion of family planning services in all medical aid packages and dedicated allocations from the National Health Insurance Fund. These measures aim to create predictable, sustainable funding streams for reproductive health commodities and services nationwide. This will then lead to the national family planning organisation not facing shortfalls. _*@Msymbor.com_*