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Zimbabwe eyes switch to cannabis as tobacco demand seen waning

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BY RAY NDLOVU

Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry is looking to cannabis as a major revenue source with anti-tobacco sentiment expected to dampen demand for one of the country’s biggest exports.

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Anticipated demand for cannabis is projected to continue to grow while tobacco output globally may decline 15 percent by 2030, according to Meanwell Gudu, the chief executive officer of Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board.

“One of the alternative crops we are looking at is industrial hemp,” he said by phone on Monday. “We want to be part of the entire industrial hemp chain.”

Tobacco earned the country US$819 million in revenue last year. Farming cannabis for medical use in Zimbabwe was first legalised n 2019.

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The board has 145,000 registered tobacco growers, who started selling this year’s crop at auctions last week.

Farmers will be encouraged to plant cannabis so that a quarter of their income comes from the plant by 2025, Gudu said.

“It’s a crop which requires attention to detail, just like tobacco, and we are confident that they will have the skills,” he said.

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The country exported 30 tons of industrial hemp to Switzerland last year, its first foray into the European market, said Zorodzai Maroveke, the founder of the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust. The group is partnering with the tobacco board to facilitate the “smooth transition” to cannabis for commercial purposes.

“Switzerland is the first gateway into Europe,” Maroveke said in an interview in the capital, Harare.

Another 20 tonnes of industrial hemp is set to be exported to the European nation, she said.

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The board will look for export markets for industrial hemp including in China, the European Union and will also seek to develop a local market, Gudu said. – Bloomberg

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In the community

Domestic violence takes a deadly turn: Hwange woman’s violent outburst lands her in jail

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BY STAFF REPORTER

A 19-year-old woman from Makwika Village has been sentenced by the Hwange Magistrate’s Court for domestic violence and assault after a violent incident occurred on June 2, 2025.

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The court heard that the woman assaulted her husband after he confronted her over messages on her phone. She slapped him, grabbed his private parts, dragged him into the kitchen, and poured boiling water on his lower body, causing serious injuries.

A concerned neighbor who attempted to intervene was also burnt with boiling water on her chest and hospitalized.

The woman was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for domestic violence and 24 months imprisonment for assault. However, 12 months of the assault sentence were suspended for 5 years on condition of good behavior, and the remaining 24 months were suspended on condition of performing 630 hours of community service.

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The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has condemned the violent act, emphasizing that violence, whether in the home or community, is unacceptable.

“The law applies equally to all, and offenders will be held accountable,” said the NPAZ. “We encourage citizens to resolve disputes peacefully and report abuse immediately.”

 

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Teenager sentenced to 18 months for knife attack on minor

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Bulawayo Regional Court recently sentenced a 19-year-old male from Nkayi’s Maphosa Village to 18 months imprisonment for attempted murder after a violent knife attack on a 15-year-old boy at Gwamayaya Business Centre.

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Allegations are that on April 18, at approximately 23:00 hours, the offender entered a shop at the business centre, causing a commotion. When customers attempted to calm him down, he became aggressive and charged at the victim, stabbing him in the left side of the stomach with a knife.

The victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, while the offender was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

In court, the offender was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. However, six months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he performs 410 hours of community service.

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The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has condemned the violent act, urging young people to resolve conflicts peacefully and encouraging communities to play a role in early intervention.

“Violence is never the answer. Every life matters – walk away, don’t escalate,” said the NPAZ in a statement.

 

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Fastjet launches Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flights

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Fastjet Zimbabwe is set to expand its domestic route network with the introduction of flights from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, starting August 8.

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The new route will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

According to Nunurai Ndawana, spokesperson for Fastjet Zimbabwe, “The new Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flight strengthens our presence in Bulawayo and underscores our commitment to the development of tourism region.” Ndawana added, “Our four times a week flights will offer more travel opportunities and support both leisure and corporate travel between the two cities, reaffirming our position as a key airline partner in connecting the Matabeleland region.”

Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet Zimbabwe’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that “This has been a long time coming. We have been monitoring the development and traffic trends between the manufacturing city of Bulawayo and our tourism hub of Victoria Falls. The introduction of a scheduled service is a result of widespread consultative engagements and collaboration with key players in the industry.”

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Fastjet Zimbabwe will deploy its Embraer fleet on the new route, offering customers a comfortable flight experience. The flight schedule is as follows:

– BUQ-VFA Flight FN8111: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Bulawayo at 13:25 and arriving in Victoria Falls at 14:20.
– VFA-BUQ Flight FN8112: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Victoria Falls at 14:50 and arriving in Bulawayo at 15:45.

 

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