Tinotenda Hove- The Zimbabwean government has unveiled another package of Cabinet resolutions which it says will accelerate national development, but critics argue that the latest announcements are heavy on promises while many citizens continue to grapple with economic hardship, poor public services and unemployment.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa chaired the 25th Cabinet Meeting of 2026, where ministers approved a series of policies covering security, agriculture, higher education, diplomacy and local government.

According to the government, Cabinet endorsed continued support for the repatriation and reintegration of more than 115,000 Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, approved the production of 50,000 Independence Medals for veterans of the liberation struggle, strengthened measures against illegal mining, and agreed to rename Bindura University of Science Education to Bindura University of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Cabinet also approved enhanced agricultural and meteorological cooperation with South Africa, the establishment of Municipal Police and Municipal Courts, amendments to sports governance laws, and new cooperation agreements with South Africa and Serbia.

The government maintained that “The Second Republic continues to focus on service delivery, innovation, security, regional cooperation and people-centred development as Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030.”

However, the latest resolutions have sparked renewed debate over whether government priorities reflect the everyday struggles facing ordinary Zimbabweans.

Critics argue that while Cabinet continues to unveil ambitious programmes and institutional reforms, many communities remain burdened by deteriorating healthcare services, unreliable water supplies, failing roads, prolonged electricity shortages and the rising cost of living.
Questions have also been raised over the decision to approve 50,000 Independence Medals at a time when many citizens say scarce public resources should instead be directed towards improving hospitals, schools, job creation and social welfare programmes.

The proposed establishment of Municipal Police and Courts is also expected to attract scrutiny, with some observers warning that the new structures could increase bureaucracy unless accompanied by greater transparency and accountability.

While the government insists the resolutions demonstrate progress towards Vision 2030, sceptics say Zimbabweans are increasingly judging success not by policy announcements but by tangible improvements in their daily lives. For many, the real measure of development will be whether Cabinet decisions translate into better public services, economic opportunities and improved living standards rather than remaining commitments on paper.