Maitengwe Weekend Trending Stories: Increase Salaries not Term extensions

By Yours Truly
The war in Iran rages on, prices in Mbare’s Munhumutapa area are spiraling beyond reach, ironically our neighbors in South Africa and Zambia seem far less bruised by the storm. This is Maitengwe Weekend Trending Stories, and welcome, dear reader.
We begin with the war in Iran, a conflict whose ripple effects have reached even the most ordinary Zimbabwean household. While some were busy celebrating, chanting “Trump Chibaba” in praise of Donald Trump, reality was quietly unfolding at our fuel pumps with the sacred liquid having surged past the $2.20 mark per litre.
In a country where the average salary hovers around $250, it now means a full tank is no longer possible for a commoner and yet, in a twist that only Zimbabweans can truly explain, the streets remain congested. Traffic flows, kombis are packed, and life continues.
We cry online, yes, but out there, the engines still roar.
A question came my way: Why is fuel in Zimbabwe the most expensive in the region as compared to Zambia, where the same fuel passes through our borders?
Well, connect the dots. In Zimbabwe, anything sold strictly in USD tends to orbit around a familiar name...a name with interests in passports, fuel, and other key sectors.
The same name is behind the CAB3- yes the Constitutionals Amendment Bill Number 3.
One thing this administration—some would say cartel—understands very well is how to maximize profit in times of crisis. And right now, crisis is profitable.
With all the press conferences, counter-press conferences, and rising tensions, one wonders: why not channel this energy into increasing civil servants’ salaries instead of extending presidential terms? The people are struggling, yet the priorities seem… elsewhere.
Still on the political front, the now-famous Muchena Declaration has stirred fresh divisions among retired military elites. A new faction, reportedly led by Retired Major General Mashingaidze, is expected to hold a press conference supporting the bill while countering opposing generals. But who is Mashingaidze? Some would say—kuita kwemari—he is available to the highest bidder, or perhaps even the cheapest.
What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is the message reaching State House: the people do not want these amendments. Yet, those in office appear determined to push forward.
Let’s step away from politics for a moment and walk down First Street in Harare.
You may remember the man who went viral after being arrested for cooking sadza in the CBD. His story touched hearts, and donations poured in-EcoCash contributions, GoFundMe campaigns, goodwill from strangers.
But then came a shocking twist.
A week later, the same man was allegedly arrested at a funeral for stealing a cellphone. It didn’t add up-and indeed, it wasn’t what it seemed. Reports later suggested he had been set up. Allegedly, the organizer of the fundraising campaign sought to divert the funds for personal use, tarnishing the man’s image in the process.
It gets worse. His phone was reportedly hacked, and over $1,000 vanished from his EcoCash account.
A cruel turn of events for a man who had just been lifted by public sympathy. But as they say, truth has a way of rising. Verily, verily-I suspect this man will have the last laugh.
From Harare to Bulawayo, another story captured attention.
A 26-year-old man, Delight Ncube, found himself before Magistrate Themba Chimiso after fabricating an armed robbery to cover up his failure to pay lobola. He had promised his partner’s family $6,000 but when the day arrived, so did his fear.
Instead of showing up, he called with a dramatic tale: armed robbers had ambushed him, stolen the money, and taken a vehicle. Police investigations quickly unraveled the story. Faced with inconsistencies, Ncube confessed.
“I didn’t want to lose her,” he told the court.
It was a desperate act, born of financial strain and emotional pressure. But the law was clear. He was fined $100, or face four months in prison. A painful reminder that lies, no matter how human their origin, carry consequences.
On the international stage, the world is mourning the loss of a legend. Chuck Norris has passed away, surrounded by his family.
A martial arts icon and Hollywood titan, Norris defined action cinema in the 1980s with films like Code of Silence, Missing in Action, and The Delta Force. He later captivated television audiences in Walker, Texas Ranger, cementing his place not just as an actor, but as a cultural symbol of strength, discipline, and resilience.
His legacy transcends film. It lives on in every punchline, every meme, and every story of quiet toughness.
And so, as we close this week’s trending stories, one thing remains clear: the world is heavy with conflict, our nation burdened with economic strain, yet life continues—resilient, unpredictable, and deeply human.
We pray for peace.