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Pick n Pay and TM Supermarkets invest in new Zimbabwean stores  

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BY TAWANDA KAROMBO

PICK n Pay and its partner, TM Supermarkets, are investing in new Zimbabwe stores in addition to upgrading others, buoyed by a stronger uptick in sales and a robust revenue base.

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However, with the new Covid-19 variant reported in South Africa forcing Zimbabwe to institute new restrictions such as mandatory quarantines and testing on arrival, other retail chains such as Edgars Zimbabwe are switching their attention to online platforms to safeguard sales.

Pick n Pay and its Zimbabwean counterpart have adopted a long-term view, with refurbishment programmes and opening of new stores well on course.

Development of new malls in Harare and other urban areas is also giving rise to opportunities for local retailers to expand.

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“Refurbishment of the stores is progressing as planned … two more stores are expected to be completed by the end of December,” said John Moxon, the chairman of the holding company of Pick n Pay’s Zimbabwe partner, TM Supermarkets.

“In addition, work is under way on new stores that are expected to come on stream during the first half of the next financial year.”

Units sold in the half year to end September period grew by 27 percent, and also robustly paced up after the month of September, a development that is “expected to result in a stronger financial performance” in future months.

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Operating profit for the Pick n Pay and TM Supermarkets stores amounted to $1.2 billion (US$11.4 million at the official exchange rate of $1:ZWL105 or R180m) “in inflation adjusted terms” compared to $463.9 million (US$4.4m) in the previous period.

“In historical cost terms, the operating profit increased to $1.8 billion (US$17.1m) from $1.1 billion in the previous period,” the company said.

The Zimbabwean retailers have also been massively affected by Zimbabwe’s mobile money and electronic transactions two percent tax. OK Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean rival for Pick n Pay, said this week it had taken a US$4.5m hit from the tax which had also had impact on its profitability.

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The mobile money and digital payments tax “significantly eroded the OK Zimbabwe business’ gross margins” with the expenses from the levy not deductible for tax filings.

This further compounded “the tax burden” on the retailer.

Notwithstanding this, OK Zimbabwe grew revenues by about 42 percent in the same half year period.

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Retailers in Zimbabwe are also likely to be impacted by a new five percent levy on imported dairy products as Zimbabwe seeks to prop up its dairy and value addition industries. Other retailers in Zimbabwe include Spar franchised outlets and smaller local players. – Business Report Online

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ZimParks to host first-ever International Wildlife Conservation symposium

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) will hold its inaugural International Wildlife Conservation Symposium under the theme “Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Development.”

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The two-day event, scheduled for October 22 to 23, next week, will take place at the Management Training Bureau in Msasa, Harare. It will bring together conservationists, researchers, policymakers, and students to discuss key issues around wildlife protection and sustainable development.

The symposium will focus on eight sub-themes, namely Wildlife Conservation and Transboundary Management, Freshwater, Fisheries and Aquatic Management, Sustainable Tourism and Socio-Economic Development, Human-Wildlife Interactions, Environmental Health and Safety, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Community-Based Natural Resource Management, and Natural Resource Policy and Governance.

ZimParks says the symposium will provide a platform to exchange ideas and deepen understanding of the link between wildlife conservation and sustainable development. Members of the public, students, and professionals are encouraged to attend.

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CCC legislators in road accident, Nkulumane MP dies

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BY STAFF REPORTER

One Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator has died while four others were seriously injured in a road accident that occurred early Friday morning near Shangani along Bulawayo-Harare highway.

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CCC spokesperson Promise Mkhwananzi confirmed the accident, saying it happened between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. when the vehicle carrying the members collided with an elephant.

“The vehicle hit an elephant along the Shangani area, and unfortunately Honourable Desire Moyo, the Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, died on the scene,” Nkwananzi said.

He added that the other occupants — Honourable Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Honourable Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda — sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Bulawayo.

Nkwananzi said he was deeply shocked by Moyo’s death, as he had met him just yesterday in Harare.

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“I had seen Moyo yesterday and we spent about an hour chatting outside Jamieson Hotel about the party and our future plans for national development,” he said. “I’m gutted by his passing. It’s a huge loss for the party.”

He conveyed his condolences to the Moyo family and wished a speedy recovery and strength to the families of the other CCC members who remain in critical condition.

He said further details, including the name of the hospital where the injured are receiving treatment, would be released once confirmed.

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Doctors slam delays in using sugar tax funds for cancer treatment equipment

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has expressed concern over the government’s continued delays in disbursing funds from the Sugar Tax meant for the procurement of cancer treatment equipment.

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In a statement released yesterday , ZADHR said it was deeply worried by the slow pace of progress, two years after the introduction of the levy that was expected to finance the purchase of essential medical equipment for cancer patients across the country.

According to the association, by November last year, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had confirmed collecting US$30.8 million through the sugar tax — a surcharge imposed on sugary drinks and beverages. However, no disbursement had yet been made to the Ministry of Health and Child Care for the intended purpose.

“This delay undermines the purpose of the Sugar Tax, which was intended to improve public health outcomes through targeted investment in non-communicable disease management, including cancer prevention and treatment,” ZADHR said.

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Zimbabwe currently bears one of the highest cancer burdens in Southern Africa, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 208 per 100,000 people and a mortality rate of 144 per 100,000, according to Globocan 2022 data. These figures surpass those of neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana.

The association warned that the government’s inaction continues to worsen the plight of thousands of patients who face long waiting lists and limited access to treatment.

“The country records over 17,700 new cases and nearly 12,000 deaths annually, largely due to late diagnosis and inadequate treatment capacity,” read the statement. “This growing burden strains Zimbabwe’s fragile health system, escalates household health expenditures, and undermines productivity.”

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ZADHR called on the Ministry of Finance to urgently release the collected funds and for the Health Ministry to ensure transparent procurement and installation processes once funds are received.

The association also urged the Ministry of Health to build technical capacity among staff to maintain and effectively utilise the new equipment once installed.

“Equitable access must be at the centre of this rollout. Beyond the main Central Hospitals, provincial and district centres should also benefit to ensure no patient is left behind,” ZADHR added.

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