Zimbabwe Roundup: eVisa on arrival, investor confidence, editor on the run

Editor on the run

The media landscape in Zimbabwe is facing turmoil as Guthrie Munyuki, editor of the Daily News, has gone into hiding following a raid on his residence by armed men who claimed to be law enforcement. This raid was reportedly in connection with a controversial birthday advertisement for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which mistakenly implied the President had passed away. During the raid, the armed men confiscated phones belonging to Munyuki's family in search of him. The advertisement was placed by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and ended with the phrase, “May his soul rest in eternal peace,” triggering significant public uproar. According to APA News, While the Daily News issued an apology citing a production lapse, concerns have escalated regarding the safety of Munyuki's family, prompting legal counsel to engage with police for further clarification.

President's absence at UN General Assembly

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has announced that he will not be attending the 2024 United Nations General Assembly in New York due to a “dense programme” scheduled for the last quarter of the year. Instead, the Zimbabwean statement at the assembly will be communicated by Foreign Affairs Minister F.M. Shava, who is currently in New York for the event, reports Arise News.

Man jailed for stealing $150 TelOne wires

A 37-year-old man, Godfrey Kanyenga, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was caught stealing TelOne drop wires valued at US$150 in Harare. Kanyenga employed a makeshift tool to dismantle the wires adjacent to Melbourne Maternity Hospital, but his actions were thwarted by a vigilant security guard on-site, leading to his apprehension. This event underscores the persisting challenge of infrastructure theft, which significantly impacts telecommunications services in the region, reports the Chronicle.

eVisa on arrival

Zimbabwe is also advancing its entry procedures for travellers through an upgraded eVisa system, now facilitating applications for travellers from 118 countries to obtain eVisas on arrival, streamlining the entry mechanism into the country. Previously, visitors needed to procure a visa upon arrival without the pre-travel eVisa option. The visa system categorises into three distinct categories: 1) Category A has no visa requirement with an online declaration before travel; 2) Category B requires no pre-travel visa but mandates a visa upon entry while allowing for the online declaration; and 3) Category C necessitates a visa before travelling, with advance payment required. Tourist visas will generally be valid for 90 days, whereas visit and business visas will be valid for around 30 days. Notably, all travellers aged over 45 years are mandated to possess a visa, irrespective of the duration of their stay. Further details revealed by VisaGuide News indicate that Zimbabwe's eVisa options include Single Entry for 1 month at $30, Double Entry for 3 months at $45, and the KAZA Univisa, applicable for one month covering Zambia and Zimbabwe at a fee of $65. Certain nationals, particularly from several African and Caribbean nations, are exempt from visa requirements.

Investors confident in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is regarded as a potentially crucial African economy by investors over the next five to ten years, bolstered by ongoing economic reforms. Mr. Praveer Tripathi, representing Indian businesses, met with Vice President Kembo Mohadi during the 12th Annual Conference of African Parliaments, expressing that the country’s economic potential hinges on the synergy between young and experienced leadership. Despite external sanctions, India remains committed to enhancing investments in Zimbabwe through established partnerships and credit lines, the Chronicle reports. The meeting aimed to address misconceptions surrounding investment in Zimbabwe, with Vice President Mohadi, outlining various promotional initiatives such as the one-stop investment shop. Participants, including firms like JNS Cloud Solutions, expressed keen interest in ICT opportunities, while Deputy Minister Kuda Mnangagwa stressed the importance of debunking misinformation to foster business community engagement. Optimism regarding Zimbabwe as a favourable investment destination was prevalent among the participating investor groups, with follow-up meetings planned to delve further into sector opportunities.