Kariba death toll rises to 46

Police confirm 46 dead, 77 rescued, as President declares state of disaster.

Kariba ferry death toll climbs to 46

Police confirm 46 dead, 77 rescued, as President declares state of disaster.

The death toll from the Kariba ferry disaster surged to 46 on Wednesday after police recovered 24 more bodies from the lake, while 77 survivors had been rescued earlier. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster, admitting to serious maritime safety failures and ordering an urgent overhaul of safety systems. Survivors reported frantic scenes as passengers pleaded with the captain to turn back before the overloaded vessel capsized in rough weather. The number of people on board remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 95 to 153, as the search for missing continues. Kariba MP Shine Gwangwaba lost his sister and 15 other relatives, and the DDF director now faces arrest as authorities probe an insurance warning issued weeks before the disaster, with the vessel designed for 90 passengers carrying at least 114.

UAE becomes Zimbabwe's top export market

UAE accounted for 40.5% of Zimbabwe's exports in June 2026, overtaking South Africa and China.

The United Arab Emirates became Zimbabwe's largest export market in June 2026, accounting for 40.5% of the country's exports. The shift overtakes South Africa and China, which had long held the top positions in Zimbabwe's trade ledger. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's monthly report highlighted the milestone, reflecting growing diplomatic and economic ties between Harare and the Gulf states. The UAE now serves as a primary destination for Zimbabwe's gold, diamonds, and other minerals, leveraging Dubai's role as a global trading hub. The concentration of exports to a single market exposes Zimbabwe to new risks, particularly as the UAE tightens import regulations and compliance standards. Exporters must diversify to avoid over-reliance on a single buyer, even as the short-term boost to foreign currency flows helps stabilize the local currency.

Old Mutual shares return to Zimbabwe exchange

Old Mutual shares debuted on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange after six years of suspension.

Old Mutual shares began trading on Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls Stock Exchange on Wednesday, ending a six-year suspension. The shares debuted at 76 US cents and rose 2.9% to close at 78.17 cents, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. The suspension was imposed in 2020 to curb a currency rout, as the company's dual listing on the Harare and London exchanges created arbitrage opportunities. The return to a dollar-denominated exchange allows investors to trade without the distortion of Zimbabwe's volatile local currency. The listing provides a new avenue for foreign investors to access Zimbabwe's capital markets, but the broader economic environment remains challenging. The listing signals a cautious thaw in investor sentiment, though the success will depend on sustained market confidence.

Court orders fresh hearing on abortion law

Constitutional Court set aside a High Court ruling on abortion, sending case back for new hearing.

The Constitutional Court set aside a High Court ruling that struck down part of Zimbabwe's abortion law, ordering a fresh hearing. The court found that the government and Parliament failed to properly participate in the case, which had far-reaching public consequences, and the matter will now be heard afresh with all parties required to participate fully. The High Court had declared that women could terminate pregnancies under certain conditions, but the ConCourt ruled that the lower court's decision was made without full adversarial input. The respondents, including the Attorney General, had chosen to abide by the ruling, which the ConCourt deemed insufficient for such a sensitive matter. The core vulnerability lies in the state's failure to meaningfully engage in a case that could reshape reproductive rights, leaving the law's future uncertain and women's access to safe abortion in limbo until a new decision is reached.

Kelsea Tafirenyika denied bail on drug charges

Socialite and her uncle remain in custody after magistrate rejected bail application, citing flight risk.

The magistrate denied bail to socialite Kelsea Tafirenyika, the President's daughter-in-law, and her uncle Isaac Jessub, citing the seriousness of the drug offences and the risk of flight. Police recovered over 200 ampoules of pethidine and morphine from her bedroom, as well as five rolls of cannabis hidden in her Lamborghini, and the court noted that she had used two identities. The State argued that Tafirenyika posed a danger to society and had used two identity documents, making her a flight risk. The magistrate stated that society should be protected from the accused, and the defence's claim of insufficient evidence was rejected. The core vulnerability lies in the state's case that the defendant used dual identities, which undermines her credibility and raises questions about the extent of the drug network, and the case could expose broader connections, while the pair remain in custody pending trial.

Maths requirement dropped for minority language teachers

Zimbabwe scraps maths requirement for teacher trainees in minority languages, effective first semester 2026.

The government scrapped the mathematics requirement for teacher trainees specializing in minority languages such as Tonga, Venda, and Kalanga, effective from the first semester of 2026. Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Fredrick Shava announced the special dispensation, which applies to all primary teacher training colleges. The decision comes amid a shortage of teachers for languages such as Tonga, Venda, and Kalanga, which are taught in primary schools. Some educators argued that the maths requirement was a barrier to entry and that the change could boost enrollment, while others warned that the quality of instruction might suffer, and the move is part of a broader effort to preserve minority languages. The core vulnerability is that lowering standards may compromise the quality of teacher training, even as the government attempts to address linguistic diversity in education, and the long-term impact on student outcomes remains to be seen, with critics questioning whether the change will actually increase enrollment.

Flu cases rise but ministry says no outbreak

Health Ministry reports rising influenza cases but says no unusual outbreak threatening public.

Influenza cases in Zimbabwe have risen sharply in recent weeks, but the Health Ministry stated there is no unusual outbreak. The ministry said the current wave is seasonal and not related to COVID-19. Data suggests the severe strain infects an estimated 12,000 people weekly. Some doctors have called for urgent action, warning that the health system could be strained if cases continue to climb. The ministry urged the public to take preventive measures such as wearing masks and washing hands, but stopped short of imposing restrictions. The lack of public health preparedness could overwhelm hospitals already dealing with other diseases.

Students evicted from hostels for Zanu PF conference

Chinhoyi University evicted fully paid-up students from hostels for renovations ahead of Zanu PF conference.

Chinhoyi University of Technology evicted fully paid-up students from on-campus hostels to make way for renovations ahead of Zanu PF's 23rd National Conference scheduled for October. The university said the renovations are necessary to upgrade facilities, but student leaders disputed the timing and accused the institution of prioritizing political events over education, and the opposition called for an investigation. Student leaders expressed outrage, saying the evictions disrupted final-year students working on dissertations, and that they were given little notice. The university relocated affected students to off-campus accommodation, but many complained about the lack of notice and the disruption to their studies, with some saying they had to pay for new accommodation. The core vulnerability is the prioritization of political party events over students' educational needs, exposing the government's disregard for university autonomy and the use of public institutions for partisan purposes, which undermines trust in the education system and raises questions about resource allocation.

14 miners killed in South Africa mine collapse

At least 14 artisanal miners died after walls caved in at an illicit mine in South Africa's North West province.

At least 14 artisanal miners died and eight were injured when the walls of an illicit mine caved in in South Africa's North West province. Police said sniffer dogs were deployed to search for additional victims. The collapse occurred at a mine that was being operated illegally, part of a long-running problem of illicit mining in the region. The area has seen several similar incidents in recent years, with many miners dying in unsafe conditions. The incident highlights the persistent risks faced by illegal miners, and the authorities struggle to regulate the sector, with many operations going undetected.

South Africa asks African states for repatriation costs

South Africa seeks reimbursement from Malawi, Nigeria and others for R300 million repatriation bill.

South Africa is asking several African governments to reimburse it for the cost of repatriating tens of thousands of their citizens. The Border Management Authority said almost 90,000 people were processed through the Lindela Repatriation Centre, after being found without valid documents. The request comes after a wave of protests and violence against illegal immigration, leading to mass deportations. The government has faced domestic pressure to act, while critics have accused it of xenophobia. South Africa has spent an estimated R300 million on the repatriations. Strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and its neighbors could lead to retaliatory measures or further strain regional cooperation.

The Jeere 2026-08-14  ·  stories

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