Terms of Use

Last Updated: 5 October, 2025

Welcome to The Zimbabwe Mail.

These Terms of Use (the “Terms”), together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and any other referenced rules, form a legally binding agreement between you and The Zimbabwe Mail and its affiliates (collectively referred to as “The Zimbabwe Mail,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By accessing or using our website https://thezimbabwemail.com (the “Site”), our mobile applications (the “App”), and other related services, features, and content (collectively, the “Services”), you agree to comply with these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Services.

1. Scope of Terms

  • Acceptance: Your access to the Services confirms your acceptance of these Terms.

  • Modifications: We may revise these Terms at any time by posting an updated version with a revised “Last Updated” date. Significant changes may also be communicated by email or notices on the Site. Continued use of the Services after changes indicates acceptance.

  • Duration: These Terms apply while you use the Services. Certain provisions (intellectual property, liability, dispute resolution) survive termination.

  • Definitions: “User” refers to anyone accessing or interacting with the Services. “Use” includes any access, communication, or interaction with the Services.

2. User Eligibility

You must be at least the age of majority in your jurisdiction (usually 18 years old) to use the Services. By using the Services, you confirm that:

  1. You meet the legal age requirement.

  2. You have the authority to enter into these Terms for yourself or an entity you represent.

We reserve the right to suspend or deny access to any user without notice or reason.

3. Account Information

Some features (e.g., commenting, saving preferences) may require you to create an account.

  • Registration: You may register via third-party login (Google, Facebook) or directly with us by providing a Username, Password, and additional details.

  • Accuracy: You must provide truthful, current, and complete information.

  • Security: You are responsible for safeguarding your account credentials. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access.

  • Username Rules: Usernames must not be offensive, defamatory, misleading, or contain personal information. We may remove or suspend accounts that violate these requirements.

4. User Conduct

When using the Services, you agree not to:

  • Use the Services for unlawful, defamatory, abusive, or fraudulent purposes.

  • Post content that infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights.

  • Upload malicious software, viruses, or disruptive code.

  • Engage in harassment, hate speech, or abusive behaviour.

  • Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) without our permission.

  • Interfere with security features or attempt to gain unauthorised access.

Violation of these rules may result in suspension or permanent termination of your account.

5. Intellectual Property

  • Ownership: All content, design, graphics, text, articles, images, audio, and video on the Services are owned or licensed by The Zimbabwe Mail.

  • Use of Content: You may access and use the content for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

  • Prohibited Uses: You may not reproduce, distribute, publish, or create derivative works from our content without prior written permission.

  • Trademarks: “The Zimbabwe Mail” name, logo, and related branding are our registered or unregistered trademarks. They may not be used without permission.

6. Content Licensing & Republishing

  • User Content: If you post comments or submit content, you grant The Zimbabwe Mail a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use, reproduce, and distribute your content in connection with our Services.

  • Editorial Rights: We may edit, remove, or refuse user-submitted content at our discretion.

  • Third-Party Content: Articles may include external content (e.g., embedded videos, third-party articles). Such content is subject to third-party terms.

7. Third-Party Links & Advertising

  • The Services may include links to third-party websites or advertisements.

  • The Zimbabwe Mail is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of third-party sites.

  • Your dealings with third parties (advertisers, sponsors) are solely between you and those third parties.

8. Disclaimers

  • No Guarantee of Accuracy: While we strive for accuracy, The Zimbabwe Mail does not warrant that all information is complete, reliable, or error-free.

  • Availability: We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to the Services.

  • Opinions: Views expressed in articles, opinion pieces, or comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect our position.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • The Zimbabwe Mail and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Services.

  • Our total liability for any claims shall not exceed the amount you paid (if any) to use the Services in the 12 months preceding the claim.

10. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account or access to the Services at our discretion, without notice, if you:

  • Violate these Terms,

  • Engage in unlawful activity, or

  • Harm our reputation, users, or operations.

Upon termination, your right to use the Services immediately ceases. Certain provisions (intellectual property, liability, dispute resolution) continue to apply.

11. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

  • These Terms are governed by the laws of Zimbabwe, without regard to conflict of law principles.

  • If you are based in the EU/UK, you may have additional consumer rights under your local law.

  • Disputes shall first be resolved amicably. If unresolved, disputes may be submitted to binding arbitration or mediation in Harare, Zimbabwe, unless otherwise required by law.

12. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding these Terms, contact us at:

The Zimbabwe Mail
Email: editor@thezimbabwemail.com
Website: https://thezimbabwemail.com

A. Fair Use & Syndication Policy

  • Permitted Use (Fair Use):
    Other media outlets, researchers, bloggers, and individuals may quote or reference The Zimbabwe Mail content under fair use provided that:

    1. The excerpt is limited in scope (e.g., a headline and up to 150 words).

    2. Proper attribution is given to The Zimbabwe Mail with a direct hyperlink to the original article.

    3. The use does not distort, misrepresent, or alter the meaning of the content.

  • Prohibited Use:
    You may not:

    • Reproduce full articles or substantial portions without written permission.

    • Monetise or resell The Zimbabwe Mail content (including images, videos, or audio).

    • Frame our website or present our content as your own.

  • Syndication:
    The Zimbabwe Mail offers syndication services for publishers, broadcasters, and digital platforms wishing to republish full articles, photos, or multimedia content.

    • Syndication is available only under a formal licence agreement.

    • Requests can be made via editor@thezimbabwemail.com.

  • Creative Works:
    All original reporting, analysis, and multimedia published by The Zimbabwe Mail is protected under Zimbabwean copyright law and applicable international conventions.

  • Consequences:
    Unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or misrepresentation of The Zimbabwe Mail content may result in legal action, including claims for damages.