Zimbabwe

In the bustling heart of Harare, a disconcerting trend is unfolding before our very eyes. Zimbabwean retailers are trimming their sails, downsizing their operations in response to relentless economic shocks—a clear sign that all is not well in this Southern African nation. As reported by NewZimbabwe.com, the retail landscape is morphing into a ghost town. Stores once vibrant and bustling with life now stand as mere husks of their former selves. Take, for instance, the OK Zimbabwe outlets in Marimba, Hillside, Kuwadzana 2…

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has mobilized a specialized team to undertake an extensive investigation into the troubling situation at Lake Chivero, where recent reports of fish and wildlife fatalities have emerged due to pollution. This urgent action comes in light of the serious pollution crisis impacting Lake Chivero, the main source of water for Harare. This contamination has tragically led to the deaths of not only four white rhinoceroses and three zebras but also various bird species…

Nearly two decades after the last execution, Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty. This significant shift comes from a country where such a fate was all too real not long ago. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who himself was once on the perilous edge of facing the death penalty during the War of Independence in the 1960s, recently put his signature on legislation paving the way for this landmark change. The final execution took place via hanging back in 2005, largely because no one wanted to take on the grim…

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Primate of Southern Africa, has issued a cautionary note suggesting that we may see an uptick in reports of misconduct involving church officials, especially following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Welby's departure came on the heels of an investigation that unveiled his failure to report allegations of abuse perpetrated by John Smyth—a barrister, educator, and director of Christian camps—during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Smyth was a prominent figure…

Recent reports have emerged of new cholera cases at the Gache Gache fishing camp and Nyamhunga village, not long after the previous outbreak was officially declared over. Alarmingly, this situation raises concerns about the potential for the highly mobile fishmongering community to facilitate the disease's spread throughout Kariba and its neighboring regions. Tragically, one individual has succumbed to the illness, while 14 others are suspected to be infected. In response, the health ministry has actively engaged…

This past weekend marked a significant shift in Botswana's political landscape as Duma Boko took the oath of office as the country's new president. This transition follows what many analysts are calling an unexpected defeat for the long-standing ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Yusuf Bangura from The Premium Times raises an intriguing question: Why did the once-dominant BDP, often regarded as a political powerhouse, falter in this election? The outcome has left political strategists and citizens alike…

In a recent move, the Zimbabwean government has mandated that administrators of WhatsApp groups within its jurisdiction must register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). This development is not just a bureaucratic tick-off; it reflects significant shifts in the country’s regulatory landscape. POTRAZ has set a minimum licensing fee of U.S.$50, but this amount could skyrocket to as high as U.S.$2,500, depending on the group's nature and size. The authorities…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed grave concerns about the plight of everyday Zimbabweans, who bear the brunt of economic sanctions levied against the nation. Although these sanctions target specific individuals, the ripple effects reach far wider, impacting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Mnangagwa argues that these punitive measures hinder efforts toward regional cooperation and stifle sustainable development initiatives. In a significant turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to forge a new…

Renamo has seen a dramatic reduction in its parliamentary representation, losing two-thirds of its seats and stepping down from its status as Mozambique's second-largest political party. That title now belongs to the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), which has made significant strides with independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane at the helm, securing a total of 31 seats. As the election results awaited confirmation, there were appeals for tranquility. This came shortly after the chair of the…

In Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, there’s been a whirlwind of pushback against the prospect of President Emmerson Mnangagwa extending his tenure past 2028. Despite his firm assertions that he wishes to serve only two terms, the internal dynamics within his party are growing increasingly fractious. Some factions are fervently calling for a change in the Constitution, seeking to abolish term limits altogether. Dubbed the ED2030 campaign, this slogan has not only kept the populace of Zimbabwe brimming with apprehension, but…