Cabinet approves key pacts, steps up returnee support

Source: Cabinet approves key pacts, steps up returnee support – herald

We  publish here the 23rd post Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, in Harare yesterday.

Cabinet received an update report on the repatriation and reintegration of Zimbabwean nationals from the Republic of South Africa, which was presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe, as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Prevention and Management.

The nation is being informed that through collaborative efforts, the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Development Partners facilitated the return of 99 418 citizens between May 28 and July 10, 2026. More than 70 percent of the returnees are women and children. Government noted that the number of Zimbabwean nationals requiring repatriation and reintegration assistance has continued to increase, and measures have been put in place to meet the growing demand.

The timely efforts of Her Excellency the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa are noted, in particular her generous donation to the Beitbridge Repatriation Centre which she toured on July 7th, 2026. The donation included 30 tonnes of rice, 20 tonnes of mealie-meal, more than 5 000 track suits, 1 500 diapers and 1 500 units of sanitary wear material for women, which assisted greatly in the repatriation and reintegration initiatives underway. Government expresses appreciation for all citizens efforts to ensure seamless integration of returnees.

The nation is being further informed that other nationals from Malawi and Zambia arriving at Beitbridge are being assisted through their respective Embassies, with appropriate arrangements being put in place for assistance to be rendered to any other nationals facing challenges as they transit to their countries of origin.

Government is pleased to note that the Border Management Committee, incorporating the Department of Immigration, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the Vehicle Inspection Department and Zimbabwe Borders has intensified measures to facilitate efficient immigration processes of all returnees, including through clearing of buses and trucks transporting returnees.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, with its partners Medicines Sans Frontiers and the Higher Life Foundation is providing essential health care, with over 191 000 patients having been attended to and 870 children screened for malnutrition, while 15 cases of diarrhoea have been identified and treated.

Government assures the nation that efforts to render assistance to returning nationals will continue in order to ensure their smooth reintegration.

Meanwhile, the security services will continue to monitor illegal entries at undesignated points, especially in Beitbridge and Plumtree.

2.0 POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT: FIRST QUARTER 2026

Cabinet noted the Postal and Telecommunications Sector Performance Report for the First Quarter of 2026, which was presented by the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera.

The report, which focused on the performance of the Postal and Telecommunications sector during the quarter, highlighted key trends within the sector, growth prospects, emerging challenges and strategic interventions being implemented.

Information, communication, technologies and telecommunications remain central to the national digital transformation agenda under National development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, the National ICT Policy, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026-2030).

Regarding subscriptions and market penetration during the First Quarter, the sector recorded a 2,99 percent increase in active mobile subscriptions and a 1,5 percent increase in mobile penetration across all mobile platforms.

Zimbabwe continued to record significant internet/data traffic increase with a remarkable 57,28 percent, driven by accelerated LTE and 5G infrastructure deployment, increased smartphone adoption and use of modern applications including, TikTok, Instagram and Netflix.

The sector also reported trends including the following:

i. infrastructure modernisation and expansion, with an additional 13 new 5G base stations deployed, bringing the total to 379 bases, together with 161 LTE (Long Term Evolution), 85 3G and 68 2G new base stations. Government commends the efforts by all players in the sector, which are accelerating progress.

ii. gradual transition to data-centric services, while the fixed telephone line segment maintained a steady performance;

iii. The international connectivity band-width capacity increased by 4,03 percent to 1 756  770 Mbps;

iv. fiber network expansion from 4 046 km to a remarkable 8 500 km coverage. The total fibre backbone expanded by 33,83 percent, surpassing 19 000km;

v. strong growth in LEO ( Low Earth Orbit) subscriptions driven by Starlink is closing the connectivity gap in underserved and remote areas through the Presidential Internet Scheme;

vi. Postal and Courier Services has recorded a volume recovery during the Quarter, while continuing to face financial sustainability challenges;

vii. the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2026 -2030 is creating immediate and growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity; and

viii. the Postal and Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2025 is progressing through Parliamentary processes. The Bill is expected to strengthen the regulatory framework within the sector which is characterized by rapid technological and market evolution.

3.0 PROPOSED ZIMBABWE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM (APRM) NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION, AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE APRM IN ZIMBABWE

Cabinet received and approved the memorandum on the Zimbabwe African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action, and Preparations for the Official Launch of The APRM in Zimbabwe which was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira, as he outlined the Development and implementation of the National Programme of Action.

His Excellency,  President Mnangagwa presented the Review Report on “Economic Governance and Management” at the 35th Ordinary Session of the APRM Forum.

The report identified practices for emulation by member States including: Transformative Leadership; Performance Contracting; Land Reform; Village Business Units under Rural development 8.0 Model; Innovation under Heritage Based Education 5.0; and Monetary Policy Revitalisation centred on the “Back -to-Basics” Approach.

Preparations are progressing well for the inaugural official launch of the APRM in Zimbabwe by His Excellency, Dr Mnangagwa on July 16, 2026.

This historic occasion will also be graced by His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government, who shall be represented by Her Excellency, Major (Rtd) Jesssica Rose Epel Alupo, Vice President of the Republic of Uganda.

4.0 RADIATION PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026

Cabinet considered and approved the Radiation Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026 as presented by the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation and Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.

The amendment of the Bill seeks to modernise the regulatory framework for radiation protection, safety and security in Zimbabwe. The Bill also seeks to address emerging technological advancements in both ionising and non-ionising radiation; to enhance national nuclear security, to establish financial sustainability mechanisms; and to align Zimbabwe with its international commitments under the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

5.0. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS CONCERNING COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF ARTS AND CULTURE

Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus concerning Cooperation in the Field of Arts and Culture which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

The MoU seeks to strengthen cooperation in areas including joint exhibitions, seminars, workshops, exchange of experts on museums, folklore and films, protection and restoration of historical and cultural heritage festivals, visual arts traditional handicraft, music and dances.

6.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE STATE OF QATAR ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH

Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the State of Qatar on Cooperation in the Field of Youth, as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.

The Memorandum will establish a framework for cooperation in the field of youth programmes including youth entrepreneurship, development of national youth policies, exchange of experiences, and related research, among others.

7.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA CONCERNING COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of South Africa concerning Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education and Training, as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.

The Memorandum seeks to establish a legal framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of Higher Education and Training.

It will also broaden access to quality education through exchange programmes, joint research initiatives and fostering of institutional partnerships as well as mutual recognition of qualifications.

8.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of South Africa on Cooperation in the Field of Arts, Culture and Heritage as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.

The Memorandum seeks to promote, develop and increase cooperation in the field of arts, culture and heritage in accordance with the Parties’ relevant domestic laws.

The main areas of cooperation include conservation and restoration of archival documents; collaboration between the national archives and the national museums of each country; the prevention of cross-border trafficking; exchange of cultural property and cooperation on the Museum of African Liberation project located in Zimbabwe, including but not limited to the provision of historical artifacts from the Republic of South Africa’s liberation struggle for display in the Museum, and other related areas of mutual interest.

9.0 PROPOSED CO-HOSTING OF THE 2027 GLOBAL AFRICA WOMEN’s SUSTAINABLITY CONFERENCE: ZIMBABWE EDITION: VICTORIA FALLS

Cabinet considered and approved the Co-Hosting of the 2027 Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference: Zimbabwe Edition in Victoria Falls as presented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Honourable Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.

The Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference is hosted annually by ImpactHer, a Non-Governmental Organisation that promotes women empowerment globally.

The Zimbabwe Edition is designed to position the country and the Southern African region as a powerhouse for women-led sustainable enterprises, green innovation and cross-regional trade.

The Conference serves as a continental convening platform connecting the most dynamic voices in policy, investment and entrepreneurship to advance a shared vision whereby women are not just participants in the economy, but its architects.

The Conference provides an opportunity to showcase Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurial talent, cultural richness, tourism assets, and investment potential to a highly influential continental and global audience.

The Zimbabwe Edition will be held in Victoria Falls in 2027 under the theme “Reimagine, Reshape Rise: Women as Vanguards of Global Sustainable Future.”

10.0 PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTING THE 25TH COMESA HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT SUMMIT: 22 OCTOBER, 2026: HARARE

Cabinet considered and approved the Hosting of the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit on October 22, 2026 as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira.

The objective of the Summit is to advance the principles of industrialisation, investment and regional economic integration.

The Summit will run under the theme “One Market One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA,” and will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum on October 20, 2026, followed by the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 21 October 2026.

11.0  PROPOSED HOSTING OF THE YOUTH CONNEKT AFRICA SUMMIT 2027

Cabinet considered and approved the bid for Zimbabwe to Host the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in 2027.

Youth Connekt Africa is a continental platform established to connect young people to economic opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, financial inclusion, mentorship and policy                                                                                 dialogue.

The Summit provides a platform for showcasing innovation, sharing best practices, fostering partnerships and advancing youth development agendas.

The Summit will enhance Zimbabwe’s international image and strengthen diplomatic and development cooperation with African countries and development partners.

I THANK YOU!