Zimbabwe Roundup: Housing project, child trafficking, COP28

Housing project

The Zimbabwean government's development initiative of building one million flats and houses by 2025 is on course with 344,068 flats and houses completed between January 2021- June 2023, local media The Herald reports. The housing project is part of the first phase of the SADC nation's National Development Strategy. "During the second half of NDS 1 implementation, efforts by the Central Government, local authorities, businesses and individual home builders will see a total of 1 million flats, houses and serviced stands delivered by 2025, in line with the Second Republic's thrust of achieving a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030," The Herald quotes Tinashe Manzungu, Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association senior vice president.

Child trafficking attempt

The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted the attempted child trafficking of 443 children below the age of eight from Zimbabwe into South Africa, South African news agency SABC News reports. The kids who were allegedly being trafficked were apprehended on December 3 at the border crossing point between the two nations. BMA Commissioner, Michael Masiapato told reporters that the South African Home Affairs will temporarily extend hours of operation at congested ports of entry to enable quick and secure cross-border travel throughout the holiday season. “During the planning phase, we had an agreement with our immediate neighbours which are Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Botswana on synchronising processes and other work modalities such as specialised port operating hours,” he is quoted by SABC News.

Investment calls at COP28

President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for investments in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) on December 2, President Mnangagwa spoke about the lack of capital and technological expertise preventing the nation from taking advantage of its diverse natural resources. " The mantra is that Zimbabwe is open for business, a friend to all and an enemy to none," he is quoted by The Herald.

HIV transmission plan

Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care Minister has said that the country aims to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission to less than 5% by 2026, local media News Day reports. The nation on November 30, launched the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission Plan (2023-2026). The plan includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support for HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B using an integrated approach. The Minister, in a speech, said “The Triple EMTCT Plan represents a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support for the three diseases: HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B, using an integrated approach.”

Deregistration of corrupt teachers

The Primary and Secondary Education ministry in Zimbabwe plans to deregister teachers who commit corrupt acts and introduce stiffer penalties through the Teaching Profession Council Bill, targeting teachers who abuse resources for personal benefit, News Day reports. A spokesperson of the ministry is quoted by News Day saying “It is passing through Parliament and hopefully it will be a law such that there is no one who is going to be just a teacher who is not registered with the Teaching Profession Council… Teachers can also be deregistered for any corrupt activities through the Teaching Profession Council just like how they do with doctors and lawyers.”