Southern Africa

A South African court has rejected a request by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to prevent a newly formed party backed by former President Jacob Zuma from contesting May’s general election. The ANC had argued that uMKhonto weSizwe, known as MK, had not met the criteria for official registration. …

The boss of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has been arrested for fraud after allegedly attempting to sell three mines she doesn’t own, local media reported. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told local media that Henrietta Rushwaya had been taken into police custody after a complaint had been received about mining …

A man in Mozambique has gone blind after using traditional medicine, soap and urine to cure conjunctivitis he suffered from. Babu Aiuba is currently receiving treatment at Central Hospital of Quelimane. He told local reporters he had contracted haemorrhagic conjunctivitis earlier this month. “I washed my eyes with soap and …

The leader of a religious sect in Zimbabwe has been denied bail after his arrest last week for suspected child abuse. Ishmael Chokurongerwa was charged with exploiting minors after police found 251 children working on his farm. Unregistered graves, believed to be of infants, were also found. The self-proclaimed Apostolic …

Algerian authorities have condemned a plan by Morocco to confiscate the premises of the Algerian embassy in Rabat. Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, accusing Rabat of supporting “terrorist groups” involved in starting wildfires in the country. Since then there has been a reduced staff at the embassy …

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would support Chinese firms that invest in Angola’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors, state media reported on Friday, as the African oil producing nation seeks help in diversifying its economy. “The Chinese side is willing to work with Angola to implement key infrastructure projects and …

South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said that its citizens who have been fighting in Gaza with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will be arrested on their return to the country, the AP news agency reports. “I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and …

Four people have died and three others are wounded after being struck by lightning in Mozambique, which is now bracing for Storm Filipo, local media reported. The lightning strikes happened in the northern town of Mogincual, in Nampula province. Meanwhile, the southern and central provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and …

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has declared a national disaster to tackle the prolonged drought affecting the country. Addressing the nation on Thursday afternoon, Mr Hichilema said 84 districts out of a total of 116 were affected. Zambia has been experiencing poor rain, with fears mounting that the country may experience …

South Africa’s provincial government in KwaZulu-Natal has announced that it will build a new palace for the Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. The KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube made the announcement during her State of the Province Address on Wednesday. The plan for a new palace is in line with Zulu customs …