Zimbabwe extends presidential term to 2030

President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law, extending his term by two years.

Mnangagwa signs law extending presidential term to 2030

President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed CAB3 into law in July 2026.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law, extending his presidential term by two years to 2030. The legislation, which the president defended as a correct parliamentary decision, bypasses the previous 2028 constitutional limit. Opponents, including the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and former military chiefs, launched public protests and legal challenges against the amendment. Critics argue the law strips citizens of democratic protections and represents a severe threat to national governance. The core vulnerability of the amendment lies in an urgent High Court challenge seeking to halt its final processing over alleged inducements.

South Africa deports over 53000 foreign nationals

South African authorities deported 53,000 migrants over five weeks.

The South African government deported or repatriated more than 53,000 foreign nationals during the first five weeks of its new migration management campaign. Most of the deported individuals originated from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique as authorities intensified immigration enforcement across major provinces. Human rights groups warned that the rapid scale of the campaign risks violating international asylum protocols and stoking regional diplomatic tensions. Government officials defended the operations as a necessary measure to regulate domestic labor markets and ease pressure on public infrastructure. The ongoing campaign faces immediate systemic hurdles as regional processing centers struggle to manage the high volume of detainees.

United States targets Zimbabwean lithium in 300 million contract

The US Department of Defense launched a lithium procurement contract.

The US Department of Defense launched a $300 million contract to procure 16,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate over five years. This strategic initiative aims to build a national defense stockpile and reduce Western reliance on Chinese critical mineral supply chains. Industry analysts highlight Zimbabwe as a primary target for this procurement due to its massive undeveloped lithium reserves. However, strict US sanctions and complex local ownership laws present significant operational hurdles for American buyers attempting to secure direct supply agreements. The success of the initiative depends on navigating local regulatory frameworks without violating international trade restrictions.

Air Zimbabwe schedules Gatwick return flight for late July

Air Zimbabwe will resume Harare-London flights in late July 2026.

Air Zimbabwe scheduled its official return to London Gatwick for the end of July 2026, ending a 14-year absence from the route. The national carrier will operate three weekly flights using an Airbus A330 leased from Spanish operator Plus Ultra. The airline previously suspended the direct route in 2012 due to mounting debts and threats of aircraft seizure by international creditors. Government officials expect the revived connection to boost bilateral trade and ease travel for the UK-based Zimbabwean diaspora. The carrier faces immediate financial pressure to maintain profitable passenger loads amid high fuel costs. Intense competition from regional airlines also threatens the long-term viability of the route.

Former Botswana President claims Zimbabwe linked assassination plot

Ian Khama claimed he received warnings of a Zimbabwean plot.

Former Botswana President Ian Khama claimed he received intelligence warnings from non-governmental sources regarding an assassination plot linked to Zimbabwean state agents. The allegations have heightened diplomatic tensions and raised fresh security concerns across the Southern African Development Community. Zimbabwean government representatives dismissed the claims as baseless fabrications designed to damage the country's international reputation. Regional security analysts warned that the public dispute could disrupt ongoing bilateral cooperation on border security and trade. The core vulnerability of the situation lies in the lack of formal state-to-state intelligence sharing to verify the threats.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe launches 10 million currency challenge

The central bank launched a ZiG10 million school competition.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe launched the Schools Monetary Policy Challenge, committing ZiG10 million to the national high school competition. Central bank governor John Mushayavanhu stated the initiative aims to build long-term financial literacy and engage students in national economic discourse. Critics dismissed the program as a public relations distraction from the ongoing depreciation of the gold-backed ZiG currency. Independent economists argued that school competitions cannot substitute for structural monetary reforms needed to stabilize the local financial market. The initiative faces immediate skepticism as public confidence in the central bank's monetary policy remains low.

Zinwa solarizes 78 rural water stations to secure supply

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority solarized 78 rural stations.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority solarized 78 rural water supply stations to improve access to clean drinking water. The transition to solar power aims to bypass persistent national grid outages that frequently disrupt rural pumping stations. Local communities welcomed the installations, noting that consistent water access reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases in remote districts. However, engineering experts warned that the long-term sustainability of the stations depends on securing replacement parts and preventing equipment theft. The program faces immediate funding constraints as the authority seeks to expand solar installations to additional rural districts.

Harare ranked among worlds ten least liveable cities

Harare ranked 165th out of 173 global cities.

Harare was named one of the world's ten least liveable cities in the 2026 global liveability index, ranking 165th out of 173 assessed cities. The ranking places Zimbabwe's capital eighth from the bottom due to severe infrastructure deficits and poor public service delivery. Municipal officials contested the report, pointing to ongoing road rehabilitation projects and urban renewal initiatives across the city. Residents and civic groups argued the ranking accurately reflects daily struggles with water shortages, uncollected refuse, and erratic power supplies. The city faces immense pressure to attract foreign investment while struggling with basic municipal service delivery.

Zambian Vice President survives military helicopter crash

Vice President Mutale Nalumango escaped a helicopter crash unhurt.

Zambia's Vice President walked away unhurt after a military helicopter carrying eight passengers crashed during an official transit. Civil aviation authorities and military investigators immediately secured the crash site to determine the cause of the mechanical failure. Government officials reassured the public that all passengers and crew members survived the incident without sustaining life-threatening injuries. Opposition leaders called for a comprehensive safety audit of the air force's transport fleet following the high-profile accident. The military faces immediate pressure to address maintenance standards amid rising regional security operations.

ZESA reports nationwide electricity outage across Zimbabwe

A major power outage affected most parts of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe experienced a major nationwide power outage that disrupted electricity supply across most parts of the country. The state-run utility, Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, confirmed that its engineering teams are working to restore the transmission grid. Industrial operations and domestic consumers reported immediate disruptions, forcing businesses to rely on expensive diesel generators. Energy experts noted that the country's power infrastructure remains highly vulnerable to sudden system failures due to deferred maintenance. The utility faces ongoing pressure to secure emergency electricity imports. This latest grid collapse highlights the persistent instability of the national power network.

The Jeere 2026-07-13  ·  stories

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