Zimbabwean president since 2017, leading ZANU–PF
Zimbabwe has seen renewed calls from opposition groups and civil society for peaceful demonstrations in response to Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3. Police say security remains stable as deployments continue nationwide. The government faces mounting legal challenge to the amendment in the Constitutional Court, while religious groups urge dialogue to preserve democratic governance.
Nigeria has freed 308 people who had been held captive for months after a joint military, police and counter-terrorism operation recovered hostages from Kainji Lake national park. The group includes 163 people taken in February from Woro in Kwara state and 145 taken mainly in Niger state; survivors are receiving medical checks at an army facility.
An overloaded government ferry has capsized on Lake Kariba, killing dozens and forcing Zimbabwe to declare a state of disaster. Authorities have rescued 77 people and recovered multiple bodies; ticket records show 114 adult passengers and five crew, while the vessel’s capacity was 90. Search and recovery teams are continuing operations and families are holding funerals.
South Africa will host the SADC summit under the theme of resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, minerals transformation and regional value chains. Leaders will review regional stability, intra-regional trade, and progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with Ramaphosa set to take over as chair.
Malawi has completed the repatriation of its nationals from South Africa, bringing home 56,723 people after four months of mass return transport. Many had laboured in South Africa’s farms and industries since 2019, facing harsh conditions before returning to Malawi’s villages and towns.
Algeria is confronting a severe heatwave that has intensified wildfires across the northern provinces, causing multiple deaths and injuries. Officials report dozens of blazes, with Bejaia, Jijel and Tizi Ouzou among the hardest hit; hundreds have been evacuated as firefighting efforts continue.
A head-on crash near Chivhu, Zimbabwe, has killed at least 23 people and left many others injured. The minibus taxi carrying a Christian denomination's delegates collided with a truck while overtaking on a major highway. Authorities say the death toll could rise as injured victims are treated in local hospitals. Road crashes remain a pressing issue in Zimbabwe amid aging roads and lax safety enforcement.
A helicopter carrying six people, including businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lulu, has crashed near Marondera in Zimbabwe. Authorities say there are no survivors. Investigations are underway to determine the cause.
Six people, including Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, have died when their helicopter crashed near Harare while returning from Gandami. President Mnangagwa has offered condolences and praised their philanthropic work. Investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
A Zimbabwe helicopter crash near Marondera has killed Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, and four others. Investigations are under way, with forensic and aviation authorities examining the wreckage and a black box recovered. The victims' bodies have been removed and plans are underway for funeral rites in Harare.
Sgt. Maj. Robert Kabera, a Rwanda critic who fled to Uganda, has been found dead near Kampala. Ugandan police say the head is still missing. Multiple outlets report on the investigation, with Human Rights Watch calling for a full probe into possible motives tied to his opposition to Kigali.