WATCH LIVE: Mnangagwa Sucked Into $17 Million PSMAS Fraud

Tawanda Tagwireyi — OPC Role

• Serves directly in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

• Public mandate centers on modernizing government operations and driving Zimbabwe’s digital transformation.

• Chief Director — eGovernment: Leads strategy, infrastructure, and deployment of e-government services across ministries and state departments to streamline workflows and public service delivery.

• Public Sector Digital Transformation: Oversees shift toward enterprise cloud services, cybersecurity frameworks, and digital workplace solutions for civil servants.

• National Tech Policy & Representation: Represents OPC at national IT conferences, industrial summits, and technology forums to align government policies with tech-sector initiatives.

• • Mlambo Gabaza Barnabas (53) and Tafara Tomukudza Mafemba (27), co-directors of Minana Technology Solutions.

  • Marshall Mashave (53), PSMSAS finance executive director since 2016.

  • Mafemba is also a biological nephew of PSMSAS board member Tawanda Tagwireyi.

• The Scheme: The trio is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent ICT procurement scheme involving Minana Technology Solutions.

• The scheme allegedly exposed Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) to potential losses exceeding US$17 million**, specifically **US$17,160,060, and resulted in actual financial prejudice of US$57,658.

• Modus Operandi: The state alleges the accused colluded with Tagwireyi, Munyaradzi Chibvongodze, and Simon Nyadundu to defraud PSMAS.

• They allegedly bypassed tender procedures by proposing a “Proof of Value” exercise for a new system to replace the existing “Nexus” platform.

• Fraudulent Invoices: Between June and August, Barnabas and Mafemba allegedly generated three fraudulent invoices totaling US$57,658 inclusive of VAT, despite their company not being VAT registered.

• Mashave allegedly authorized payment to Minana’s CABS account knowing no work had been performed.

• Misrepresentation: The accused falsely claimed to have demonstrated their product satisfactorily and submitted quotes for a “Premier Connect dual-currency platform.”

• Quotes included an outright purchase option of US$3.75 million** or lease options ranging from **US$97,590 to US$112,500 per month.

• Contract Manipulation: The scope of work allegedly expanded from six functional areas to 12 modules without formal approval.

• On April 29, Nyadundu allegedly approved a memorandum without following tender procedures, leading to a contract for US$500,000 for services Minana initially agreed to provide for free.

• Legal Status: The three appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Friday and were remanded in custody to today for their bail application.

Timeline of Events

• December (Last Year): PSMAS holds a strategy retreat where a directive is issued for an ICT landscape assessment. A resolution is passed to extend the existing Nexus system licence.

• March 2: Tagwireyi, a board member, allegedly instructs Head of ICT Lockson Mondo to involve Mafemba and Mashave in demonstrating software.

• March 5: Barnabas shares a proposed module architecture and indicates Minana can commence scoping work by March 9.

• March 23: A “Proof of Value” exercise is proposed. The State alleges the ICT head agreed to let the company demonstrate software for free, with PSMAS retaining the right not to proceed.

• March 31: The ICT head’s contract expires.

• April 29: Nyadundu allegedly approves a memorandum without following tender procedures, resulting in a fraudulent contract requiring PSMAS to pay US$500,000.

• June 11: Barnabas and Mafemba allegedly generate a fraudulent invoice.

• July 1: Another fraudulent invoice is allegedly generated.

• August 4: A third fraudulent invoice is allegedly generated.

• August 18: Barnabas and Mafemba allegedly falsely represent that they have fully demonstrated their product to PSMAS’s satisfaction.

• Friday (Recent): The three executives appear in court and are remanded in custody.

• Today: The accused are expected back in court to mount their bail application.

Key Events Today

National Sports Stadium Stampede

• A fatal stampede occurred at Gate 2 of the National Sports Stadium in Harare on 28 September 2026.

• It happened at the start of Zimbabwe’s AFCON qualifier against DR Congo.

• One person died.

• Police said the incident involved a public-order vehicle and a pedestrian as fans tried to enter.

• Investigations are ongoing.

• It is not described as fighting, riots, or missile-throwing.

• Reports frame it as crowding and a rush at the entrance.

• The stadium’s best-known violent incident was on 9 July 2000, during a World Cup qualifier versus South Africa:

  • Fans threw bottles after a late goal.

  • Police fired tear gas.

  • A stampede followed.

  • 13 people died and many more were injured.

  • The match was abandoned.

• A 2018 Zimbabwe–DRC qualifier at the same venue also saw chaotic entry and a stampede, though without fatalities like 2000 or 2026.

Mondliwethu Nyathi Funeral

• Minnie Chiwenga’s brother, Mondliwethu Nyathi, passed away.

• He was the brother of Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga.

• Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga joined hundreds of mourners in Bulawayo’s Old Pumula suburb.

• He went to console his wife and pay his final respects.

• During the funeral, the Vice-President described his late brother-in-law as a peaceful man whose life was anchored in deep faith.

• Nyathi died after a long illness.

• He died at age 42 on 23 September 2026 at Mpilo Central Hospital.

• He was laid to rest at Umvutsha Cemetery in Bulawayo.

FOMC Note

• FOMC members Bowman, Barr, Goolsbee, Musalem, Williams, and Waller are marked as low-impact (yellow folders).

• This is not an official FOMC Interest Rate Statement, Rate Decision, or Press Conference.

Top Trending

Daniel Mukudzei Moyana — Hellenic Academy

• Thursday evening, 24 September 2026: 14-year-old Form One student Daniel Mukudzei Moyana dies after a swimming pool drowning accident at Hellenic Academy in Harare.

• Friday, 25 September 2026: The Moyana family issues an initial statement mourning their loss. Regional swimming clubs and national sports bodies like Harare Amateur Swimming (HAS) begin releasing messages of support.

• Weekend, 26–27 September 2026: Local schools, including Chisipite Senior School, Chisipite Junior School, and Watershed College, issue public condolences. Outrage grows among parents demanding accountability over perceived safety negligence.

• Monday, 28 September 2026: Hellenic Academy releases an official statement confirming Daniel’s death and announcing full cooperation with investigating authorities. The school suspends all lessons and closes for a two-day mourning and investigation period: Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 September.

Known Details

• Setting: The tragedy occurred on the evening of Thursday, 24 September 2026, at Hellenic Academy, an elite private school in Harare, Zimbabwe.

• Routine: Daniel, a 14-year-old Form One student, had participated in a scheduled school swimming lesson earlier that day.

• Discovery: He was later found dead in the school’s swimming pool after lessons had concluded.

• Allegations of negligence: The incident sparked outrage and concern among parents and the community. Severe questions were raised about supervision during and after the swimming session, with some parents openly alleging negligence.

• School response: Hellenic Academy temporarily suspended normal classes to allow the community to mourn. It said the precise circumstances of how Daniel was left or remained unnoticed in the water are still being investigated.

Oversight Concerns

• Post-Lesson Oversight: Daniel was found in the water after a scheduled Form One swimming lesson had already concluded. This indicates a headcount or final sweep of the facility was either missed or improperly handled.

• Supervision Failures: Because the incident occurred on school grounds during a school-sanctioned activity, staff or lifeguards were legally and operationally responsible for monitoring the pool. Angry parents publicly called out the school for gross negligence, saying a 14-year-old should never have been left unsupervised around open water.

Mat Village / Mehluli “Mamba” Ncube

Timeline of the Incident

• 11 September 2026: Shelton Jubane and alleged accomplices, including Mehluli Ncube and Muzi Moyo, reportedly commit armed robberies at a Puma service station and a guest lodge in Bulawayo.

• 14 September 2026, approx. 11 PM: Bulawayo businessman Tedious Rutanhira (52) is shot and killed during an armed robbery. His son witnesses the attack. The robbers flee with a bag containing US$10,000.

• 15 September 2026: Shelton Jubane is arrested by police in connection with the murder.

• 18 September 2026: Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirm that Mehluli “Mamba” Ncube and Muzi Richard Fambirai Moyo were killed in a shoot-out with police. Four other suspects — Shelton Jubane, Charles Ndlovu, Prince Chisale, and Clive Ncube — are arrested. Police link the group to 10 armed robbery cases.

• 19 September 2026: Shelton Jubane appears in Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court facing a murder charge and is remanded in custody.

Funeral Summary

• Approximately 2,000 mourners gathered in Insuza for the funeral of Mehluli “Mamba” Ncube, who was killed in a police shoot-out.

• Speakers at the funeral painted a different picture from police allegations linking Ncube to murder and armed robbery.

• The community viewed him as a benefactor and father figure.

• Gogo Mancube, a widow, said Mamba had paid school fees for her three children for the past four years and expressed despair over who would help her now.

• Moffat Dube said: “To us he was our father and we are heartbroken.”

• Gideon Nkomo (70) expressed anger, saying Mamba should have been jailed rather than dying.

• Another mourner described him as having two sides: “too nice and kind” but with “serious anger issues.”

• Mourners highlighted his involvement in community development, including assistance to schools, support for musicians, and sponsorship of local activities.

• Some compared him to “Robin Hood.”

• His legacy is described as deeply complicated, shaped by both serious allegations and personal stories of generosity.

Africa

• Information regulator begins investigation into UWC.

Business

• European banks, notably French institutions like Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, and BNP Paribas, are divesting from or scaling back their African operations.

• Key drivers for the retreat:

  • Stricter capital rules in Europe.

  • Weak relative risk-adjusted returns on African subsidiaries.

  • High know-your-customer (KYC) compliance costs.

  • Difficulty achieving synergies.

  • European banks typically operate diversified models, while African banking sectors are generally shallow, with exceptions like Morocco and South Africa.

• African banking landscape:

  • Bank balance sheets are heavily concentrated in government securities.

  • Lending is directed mostly at large corporates and state-owned entities.

  • Insurance and non-banking financial activities remain underdeveloped.

  • A 2025 Fitch peer Moody’s report noted that Western banks struggle to crack the retail banking segment as domestic players and fintech groups solidify their positions.

• AMD acquires World Labs, which owns an AI called Atlas focused on robotics.

• PPC’s Zimbabwe operations delivered an outstanding performance:

  • 4% revenue increase.

  • 3% rise in cement sales volumes.

  • Supported by robust demand across industrial and retail sectors.

  • Improved plant reliability, higher clinker self-sufficiency, and disciplined execution.

  • EBITDA margin expanded to 34.2% from 19.1% year-on-year.

  • Substantial capital investment underway.

  • New integrated plant budgeted at R3.1 billion.

  • Ongoing engagement with Sinoma on the EPC contract and financing alternatives.

  • On track for completion in the final quarter of the 2027 financial year.

  • Planned maintenance shutdown at the Colleen Bawn plant is underway and expected to moderate margins in the first half of the 2026/27 financial year.

  • Improved margins and cement volume growth are anticipated to benefit the second half.

  • Progress reflects the strength of the Zimbabwean business turnaround.