President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and nine others to the Senate. Parliament announced the appointments on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, following the enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Act 3 (CAA3). Tagwirei, a ZANU PF central committee member, now holds a direct legislative power.
Archive — 2026-08-19
16 stories Ikka considered most significant on this day. Tap the on any story to read its summary and sources.
South Africa has stated that SADC believes all legal processes were followed in passing CAA3. Vincent Magwenya, South Africa's presidential spokesperson, shared the region's position on the sidelines of the recently ended SADC summit. This tacit endorsement from Pretoria weakens regional opposition to Mnangagwa's extended rule.
The Zimbabwean government has launched a formal probe into the Kariba ferry disaster that has resulted in 94 deaths. Local Government minister Daniel Garwe said captain Sign Patsikadova disregarded advice from the Meteorological Department not to sail. The 41-year-old Mbuya Nehanda ferry, a 90-seater boat, was involved. Police have released names of 39 more victims, among them 21 children.
The Zimbabwean government has demanded the immediate transfer of voter registration duties from ZEC to the Registrar-General's office. Daily News reports this administrative shift was announced without public consultation. The move could centralize control over the electoral roll and threatens ZEC's independence.
Drivers at Zupco, unpaid for over 24 months, have refused to surrender their buses, seizing the vehicles as leverage. iHarare reports that the standoff has paralyzed public transport in cities like Masvingo. Management's failure to pay salaries reflects Zupco's deeper financial rot.
The Zimbabwean government has launched an urgent investigation into 550 primary schools around the country. Education officials are scrambling to identify the cause of failing Grade 7 pass rates. Critics point to chronic underfunding, teacher strikes, and outdated curricula.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has launched a new digital platform for engaging supporters and stakeholders. The platform aims to coordinate civic action and bypass state-controlled media. By going digital, Chamisa counters the government's crackdown on traditional opposition gatherings.
A parliamentary committee is investigating the allocation and utilization of funds from ZINARA. NewsDay reports that lawmakers are examining discrepancies between levied tolls and actual road repairs. The probe follows years of public outcry over potholed roads despite high fuel levies.
Eighteen armed robbers were sentenced to a combined 950 years in prison for stealing US$74,000 from businessman Wicknell Chivayo's in-laws in Marondera. iHarare reports that the raid happened just days after his lobola ceremony. Critics, however, note that such tariffs are rare for similar crimes affecting ordinary citizens.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema secured re-election in a landslide, avoiding a runoff. His 2026 victory earned another five-year mandate. The win signals continued public support for Hichilema's economic reforms and anti-corruption agenda.
A 52-year-old man, Pharaoh Dombodzvuku, fatally shot his wife, police sergeant Dzanwa Portia, aged 36, before turning the gun on himself. The incident involved the officer's service pistol, raising questions about firearms access in volatile households. The tragedy underscores the prevalence of gender-based violence within law enforcement families.
NetOne, Zimbabwe's state-owned mobile operator, launched the 30ForYou data package. The plan aims to bridge the digital divide in rural areas where traditional data costs are prohibitive. However, NetOne's network reliability lags behind competitors, and the price still strains users.
ZIFA is reportedly set to appoint 65-year-old Spanish coach Ramón Catalá as the new Warriors coach. Catalá would replace a local coach amid ongoing criticism of ZIFA's hiring practices. The appointment aims to improve the team's performance in upcoming qualifiers.
Mutare health authorities have issued a warning after a surge in acute respiratory infections among children under five. The city health department attributed the spike to seasonal weather changes and poor sanitation. The warning highlights Zimbabwe's fragile public health system.
Zimbabwean scholar Miles Tendi was promoted to professor at the University of Oxford. Tendi received the Recognition of Distinction from Oxford's Social Sciences Division. His promotion underscores the global recognition of Zimbabwean scholarship.
Zimdancehall artist Hulengende was released after the NPA withdrew fraud charges when the complainant acknowledged receiving the disputed US$3,900. An assault charge was also dropped. The case's settlement suggests a private resolution rather than a lack of evidence.