We publish here the 38th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.

Cabinet was updated on the 2025/2026 summer crop production plan.

A total of 1 333 892 tonnes of grain was marketed to various off-takers in 2025, compared to the 434 839 tonnes marketed in 2025.

The grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) as at December 11, 2025 stood at 181 931 tonnes. The marketed grain at the GMB represents only 8,76 percent of the total marketed grain, following the structural market liberalisation introduced in 2022.

Regarding the summer 2025/2026 summer crop production plan, planting is in progress, with a total of 12 652 115 hectares having been planted to maize out of targeted 1 800 000 hectares.

A total of 360 498 hectares and 179 371 hectares has been planted to sorghum and pearl millet, respectively. The areas planted to maize, sorghum and pearl millet are 95 percent; 228,3 percent and 273,2 percent above the 2024-2025 hectarages respectively

Pertaining to the Presidential Inputs Programme, 7 902 tonnes of maize seed, 3 985 tonnes of traditional grains seed, 24 735 tonnes of Compound D fertiliser and 24 185  tonnes of top-dressing fertiliser have been delivered countrywide.

The President has directed that there should be no discrimination in the distribution of inputs under the Presidential Inputs Programme and many other programmes.

During the 2025/26 season, a total of 287 000 hectares will be planted under cotton by 130 210 growers. The cotton farmers will receive inputs from five companies, namely: Alliance; Agri Value Chain; Cangrow; Cottco; and Southern Cotton Company.

As of December 11, 2025, a total of 100 549 hectares had been planted to tobacco across the provinces, reflecting a 21 percent increase from the 83 391 hectares planted at the same time in 2024.

On a related note, 229,99 million kilogrammes of tobacco valued at US$1,34 billion had been exported as at 11 November 11, 2025, compared to the 238,18 million kg exported in 2024, reflecting a slight 2,7 percent decline.

UPDATE REPORT ON THE FATE OF FAMILIES EVICTED FROM WILLDALE FARM AND PROPOSALS ON THE WAY FORWARD FOR OTHER SUCH SETTLEMENTS

Cabinet received an update report regarding the Fate of Families Evicted from Willdale Farm, and proposals on the way forward for other such illegal settlements.

The Government remains seriously concerned about illegal settlements, and as such, more sites requiring evictions will be identified, with strategic interventions being implemented to deal with the menace of illegal settlements decisively.  The aim is to stem the apparent disregard for the country’s settlement laws as well as court orders by some unscrupulous individuals.

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES DEVELOPMENT POLICY

Cabinet considered and approved the National Cooperative Societies Development Policy. The policy reviews the 2005 Cooperative Policy and seeks to transform and rebrand cooperative societies by making them catalysts for innovation, industrialisation, empowerment and wealth-creation.

The policy further provides an enabling legal regulatory framework that aims to entrench good governance, financial inclusion as well as transparency and accountability in the management of cooperative societies, unlike in the past.

The new policy aligns the cooperative societies sector with National Development Strategies, financial inclusion initiatives, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digitalisation.

Over 10 800 registered cooperative societies will be expected to benefit, covering an estimated membership of around 3 million. The Government recognises the contribution of the cooperative sector as a key economic driver, contributing over 210 000 housing units since the year 2010; serving the unbanked communities through Savings and Credit Cooperative Schemes (SACCOS); and actively contributing over 80 percent to national kapenta production, among other economic benefits.

REVIEW OF LICENCES, LEVIES, PERMITS AND FEES IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING SECTORS

Cabinet approved the review of licences, levies, permits and fees in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. In the broadcasting sector, reviews will cover sub-sectors such as campus and community radio broadcasting; radio broadcasting (embracing free-to-Air, provincial, local and commercial radio services); commercial television services; signal carrier services; and satellite broadcasting services.

Reviews in the telecommunications sector will cover mobile network operators; fixed telephone operators; and internet service providers.

The Government has noted that some fees and levies being charged in both the Telecommunications and the Broadcasting sectors are on the higher side, thereby imposing a significant cost and burden on telecommunications and broadcasting operators.

In that regard, the review of licences, levies, permits and fees in the two sectors is a deliberate initiative to review taxes in order to reduce the cost of data and voice calls for businesses and the general public, while at the same time ensuring sustainable revenue streams for the fiscus.

The Government will also streamline duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, with further refinement and consultations by the Ministries of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services; and Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, before final approval by Cabinet.

PROPOSED PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT BETWEEN ZESA ENTREPRISES AND SHANGHAI JINGDAO ELECTRIC COMPANY

Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Public Private Partnership between ZESA Enterprises and Shanghai Jingdao Electric Company for the establishment of a manufacturing and assembly plant switchgears, smart meters and electric vehicle chargers.

The country faces the growing need for modern switchgears as the national grid is expanding, while old equipment is being phased out. The partnership will position the country as a switchgear supplier in the SADC region.

Additionally, the availability of smart meters will enhance ZETDC’s efficiency in accurate billing, thereby boosting revenue collection, while the production of electric vehicle chargers aligns with global mobility trends.

The partnership project will benefit the country through import substitution, foreign currency savings, job creation, technology transfer, enhanced energy supply, improved revenues for ZETDC, and the strengthening of stimulus to downstream sectors.

THE BUY-OUT PROPOSAL BY ZAMBEZI CRESCENT TO ACQUIRE ZIMPARKS 50 PERCENT STAKE IN THE ZAMBEZI JOINT VENTURE TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE MALACHITE CAMP

Cabinet considered and approved the Buy-out proposal by Zambezi Crescent to acquire a ZimParks’ 50 percent stake in the Zambezi joint venture to develop and operate Malachite Camp in Victoria Falls.

The proposed buy-out plan will unlock more capital injection by Zambezi Crescent, strengthening its strategic control and improving operational efficiency in the management of the venture.

On the other hand, the buy-out plan will enhance ZimParks strategic realignment towards domestic tourism. Additionally, the plan will remove the budgetary burden from ZimParks which was also facing challenges in meeting its 50 percent obligation for capital commitment.

ZimParks will also be guaranteed revenue certainty in annual lease fees, while retaining a 100 percent legal ownership of the land asset.

PROPOSED HOSTING OF THE 2027 INTERNATIONAL CORRECTIONS AND PRISONS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE: October 2027

Cabinet received and approved the proposal to host the 2027 International Corrections and Prisons Association Annual Conference (ICPA).

The conference, which will bring together global correctional leaders, prison administrators, policymakers and researchers, will strengthen collaboration and sharing of best practices in prison management, offender rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service is a full member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association.

Hosting the conference will enhance the country’s international profile as a leader in correctional reforms and rehabilitation initiatives; showcase the country’s progress in justice sector reforms, human rights practices and modern correctional practices; promote knowledge exchange; and stimulate the local economy, especially through tourism and hospitality industries.

PROPOSAL TO EXTEND CONCESSIONARY TARIFFS AND DEFER MIGRATION TO STANDARD RATES BY FERROCHROME PRODUCERS

Cabinet considered and approved the proposal to extend concessionary tariffs and defer migration to standard rates by ferrochrome producers.

Cognisant of the contribution of the ferrochrome industry to national employment and foreign currency inflows, Cabinet granted the request to maintain standard electricity tariffs beyond 2025 and extend the existing concessionary tariff arrangement for twelve months.

Ferrochrome producers had cited delays that were being experienced in the acquisition of land, mobilisation of finance, procurement of equipment and licensing and permit processes.

Granting producers more time will allow for the completion of captive power plant projects, stabilise operations and safeguard the national interest. To date, only four of the 14 ferrochrome producers have developed and are utilizing their own Captive Power Plant projects.

On completion of the captive power plant projects, the ferrochrome producers will pay the difference between any extension and approved prevailing industrial tariffs, either in monetary terms or in electricity units at a future date, while in the interim they will be paying 10 US c/kWh.

In the event of the ferrochrome producers failing to comply with the terms of the moratorium, an approved tariff of 12.21 US c/kWh will be levied.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ZIMBABWE AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN ON COOPERATION IN CULTURE AND ARTS

Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in culture and arts.

The two countries will cooperate and develop relations in the field of culture and art. More specifically, the Memorandum of Understanding seeks to:

• Encourage and develop cooperation through participation and strengthening the exchange of programmes, experiences, skills, techniques, information, and publications;
• Mutually support the activities carried out by experts and cultural institutions of the Parties based on the internal laws of the respective countries; and
• Encourage partnerships among the private sectors of the two countries.

REPORT ON THE 20TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES COP 20): SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN: 24 NOVEMBER-5 DECEMBER

Cabinet received and noted the report on the 20th regular meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP 20).

Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu led the Zimbabwean delegation to the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The key achievements for Zimbabwe are as follows:

• The country can now export value-added elephant products thereby contributing to the revitalisation of the leather and footwear industry under the National Development Strategy 2:2026-2030; and
• A Permanent Forum for People Living Alongside Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was established in order to ensure that communities bearing the costs of co-existing with wildlife get a voice to influence decision making of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.