HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday began his month-long annual leave, stepping away from office at a time when the country continues to face persistent economic pressures and public service challenges.
In a statement released by the Office of the President and Cabinet, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications George Charamba confirmed that the President commenced his vacation on December 23 and is expected to return to work in early February next year. The statement said Mnangagwa will remain in the country during the leave period.
Vice Presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga will take turns acting as Head of State. Mohadi will act from December 23 to December 31, after which Chiwenga will assume the role from January 1 to January 13. Mohadi will then resume acting duties from January 14 until the President's return.
The vacation follows a year in which Mnangagwa presided over the commissioning of several infrastructure and development projects under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which concludes this year. At the final Cabinet meeting of 2025, the President described the year as successful, citing what he termed improvements in the macro-economic environment, despite continued inflationary pressures, currency instability, and declining household incomes reported by independent analysts.
Among the projects commissioned during the year was the Trabablas Interchange, formerly known as Mbudzi Roundabout, as well as announcements on planned road and interchange developments along Mutare Road and Harare Drive. The President also officially opened artificial intelligence-powered grain silo facilities in Kwekwe and Mutare, projects government says are aimed at improving grain storage and food security.
The administration also rolled out a hospital rehabilitation programme, targeting major referral institutions such as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital. While government says the programme seeks to modernise infrastructure, improve equipment, and expand access to solar power and water, health sector unions and civic groups have repeatedly raised concerns over staffing shortages, drug availability, and the pace of implementation.
In the 2026 National Budget, Treasury allocated ZiG4 billion towards major hospitals and ambulance services as part of the Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme. An inter-ministerial committee comprising senior government ministries and the Office of the President and Cabinet is expected to oversee the projects, including approving designs and monitoring progress.
Other developments commissioned this year include housing projects in Zvishavane and Harare, the Zimplats smelter and solar projects, agro-processing facilities at National Foods, and the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School.
As the President takes leave, attention is expected to shift to the transition from NDS1 to NDS2 next year, with economists and opposition figures calling for greater transparency, measurable outcomes, and policies that directly address unemployment, the cost of living, and public service delivery.