The government started revising a controversial tax policy after business backlash over ZIMRA’s plan to make tax clearance certificates valid for just one month. The proposal, introduced under Public Notice 69 of 2025, was criticized for undermining formalization and investment. Treasury officials say a phased approach with longer validity periods is now under consideration. The amendment highlights tensions between revenue enforcement and economic policy goals.

Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Commission launched an investigation into Kwekwe City Council over alleged abuse of funds collected from street vendors. Mayor Albert Zinhanga confirmed ZACC is reviewing an internal audit. The audit follows claims by Councillor Solomon Matsa that most vendor fees are being stolen. Matsa alleges the council collects up to $150,000 monthly, but only about $4,000 reaches official accounts.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa begun his annual month-long vacation, starting on December 23 and ending in early February 2026. Vice President Kembo Mohadi will act as president until December 31, after which Constantino Chiwenga will assume the role until January 13, before Mohadi resumes. The leave comes amid ongoing debate within Zanu-PF over proposals to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency to 2030.

Zimbabwe’s Treasury says it deliberately delayed remitting payroll-deducted loan repayments to some banks and microfinance firms as part of an investigation into illegal lending practices. Authorities found some lenders charging excessive interest and breaching laws that cap deductions at 50% of salaries, leaving civil servants without disposable income. Payments have resumed for compliant institutions, with only two lenders still under review.

Alpha Media Holdings is facing a deep financial crisis after the Zimbabwean government failed to pay about $400 000 in outstanding advertising and subscription fees. The debt has severely strained cash flows, leaving journalists unpaid for months and prompting a token $50 payment before Christmas. AMH executives say delayed state payments, rising legal costs and pressure on critical media threaten the survival of one of Zimbabwe’s last major private news groups.

Kamatvi Mining Company committed to an independent audit of its lithium operations under the global IRMA Standard, opening the Hwange project to rigorous environmental, social and governance scrutiny. The voluntary assessment includes on-site inspections and confidential community and worker interviews. The move aligns with Zimbabwe’s push for ethical mining and boosts transparency, investor confidence and access to global clean-energy supply chains.