🇿🇼ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Zimbabweans criticize Finance Minister Ncube's 'drive less' comment amid high fuel prices
via NewsDay Zimbabwe5 min read
Zimbabwe's Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube has faced significant public backlash for suggesting citizens drive less in response to rising fuel costs. His comments, shared by NewsDay Zimbabwe on social media, were met with criticism from many who described them as out of touch with the daily struggles of ordinary Zimbabweans. Citizens highlighted that they are already grappling with high transport expenses and a rising cost of living, with some stating they are barely driving as it is. Others pointed out that most Zimbabweans rely on transport for their livelihoods, and reduced mobility would negatively impact their ability to work and earn. Fuel prices in Zimbabwe remain high, with petrol and diesel exceeding US$2 per liter. While a minority acknowledged the idea of reducing fuel use, they emphasized the need for broader economic reforms from the government. The incident underscores growing public frustration over economic policies and living costs, with social media serving as a platform for expressing discontent.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country's largest mobile network operator, is investing more than US$200 million to expand its network capacity, improve service quality, and strengthen infrastructure resilience. This investment addresses the surging demand for mobile data driven by increased smartphone adoption, video streaming, and digital services. Econet Group chief executive officer Douglas Mboweni stated that the company's immediate priorities include expanding network capacity and making infrastructure more resilient to ensure reliable connectivity. The company operates over 7,000 base stations supporting 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies and is progressively reallocating spectrum to 4G and 5G services. However, the transition is slowed by older mobile devices, particularly in rural areas, preventing millions of subscribers from accessing modern digital services. Mboweni noted that over three million subscribers use handsets too old for high-bandwidth applications and that Econet is working on initiatives to make new smartphones more affordable. Power supply challenges also contribute to network disruptions, prompting Econet to invest in alternative energy, including a solar power station at its Tech City campus and an artificial intelligence-powered energy management system. The company expects this system to reduce power-related faults by up to 50% by the end of the year, with customers experiencing a more resilient network with fewer outages by December.
Zimbabwean athletes Makanakaishe Charamba, Thandazani Ndlovu, and Ashley Miller achieved impressive results at the Gyulai István Memorial–Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Budapest. Charamba secured second place in the men’s 200 metres with a time of 20.09 seconds, finishing behind Morocco’s Yassine Hssine. Ndlovu recorded a personal best of 44.64 seconds, placing fourth in the men’s 400 metres against a competitive international field. Miller finished fifth in the women’s 400 metres hurdles with a time of 55.03 seconds. The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe NAAZ president, Tendayi Tagara, stated that these performances will boost the team's confidence for the rest of the season, highlighting the progress made through investment in athlete development and high-performance programs. NAAZ emphasized that the results demonstrate Zimbabwean athletes' capability to compete effectively on the international stage.
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