Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has escalated his public spat with former politician Temba Mliswa, revealing that Mliswa previously accepted a US$107,000 Ford Raptor truck as a gift. The disclosure, made via a Facebook post, follows Mliswa’s public condemnation of Chivayo’s recent financial gifts to Members of Parliament supporting the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3). … Read more
A stray cat disrupted a murder trial at the Bulawayo High Court on June 3, 2026, forcing a temporary adjournment and the eventual relocation of court proceedings. According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the animal entered the courtroom and emitted a “mournful, ear-piercing wail,” causing a chaotic scene that involved police and … Read more
The Legacy of Linda Masarira: A Turning Point for Zimbabwe’s Political Landscape The sudden passing of Linda Tsungirirai Masarira at age 43 has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s political circles. As the founder of the Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD), Masarira was a polarizing yet undeniable force for women’s rights and political accountability. Her career … Read more
The Corporate Tug-of-War: When Personal Generosity Clashes with Policy In the modern workplace, the line between personal generosity and professional conflict of interest is becoming increasingly blurred. The recent standoff between Zimbabwe Newspapers (Zimpapers) and businessman Wicknell Chivayo highlights a growing trend: the challenge organizations face when high-profile “benefactors” attempt to bypass internal corporate governance. … Read more
The Battle for the “Open Court”: Why Judicial Transparency is the Next Legal Frontier For decades, the halls of justice have been characterized by a certain solemnity—and a significant amount of secrecy. But as we move further into the digital age, a fundamental tension is emerging: the clash between traditional judicial discretion and the public’s … Read more
The Global Rise of “Constitutional Hardball” Across the globe, a concerning trend has emerged that political scientists call “constitutional hardball.” This occurs when leaders use the letter of the law to violate the spirit of democracy, often by manipulating term limits to maintain a grip on power. The move to extend presidential terms—shifting a deadline … Read more
The New Battleground of Corporate Ethics: When ‘Goodwill’ Meets Governance In the modern corporate landscape, the line between a generous gesture and an improper inducement is becoming increasingly blurred. The recent friction between high-profile businessmen and media conglomerates highlights a growing tension: the clash between traditional corporate governance and the “influencer-style” philanthropy of the ultra-wealthy. … Read more
The Novel Era of Central Bank Accountability For decades, central banks have operated with a high degree of autonomy, often shielded from the granular scrutiny of the courts. However, a shifting legal landscape is beginning to challenge this perceived impunity. When regulatory bodies act “unlawfully, irrationally and in bad faith,” the judiciary is increasingly stepping … Read more
The Evolution of Political Philanthropy in Zimbabwe The landscape of political funding is shifting, moving away from direct institutional contributions toward more decentralized, party-driven models. A recent high-profile pivot by businessman Wicknell Chivayo illustrates this trend: after a proposed US$3.6 million donation to Parliament was met with resistance, the pledge was restructured into a larger … Read more
The New Era of Legislative Capture: When Private Wealth Dictates Public Law The line between private philanthropy and political bribery has become dangerously thin. When a wealthy businessman offers millions to an entire legislative body—particularly on the eve of a constitutional vote—it isn’t just a “gesture of goodwill.” This proves a textbook example of legislative … Read more