Southern Africa

Some 40 civil society groups in Mozambique have written a letter in which they denounce the mistreatment of pregnant women in health facilities. The groups rallied and demanded action against doctors whose work they say has resulted in maternal and child deaths. In a letter to the health minister, the …

Police in the South African city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, are investigating the setting alight of three shops run by foreign nationals on Wednesday night, the local Herald Live news site reports. This comes amid heightened tension in the area after eight taxis and two cars were …

Mozambican former President Joaquim Chissano has said that efforts should continue to engage a breakaway armed faction of the opposition Renamo party after its leader was killed on Monday. Gen Mariano Nhongo was killed by security forces in the central Sofala province. “I never wanted anyone’s death, but the people …

Marijuana worth 12,000 rand ($600), has been uncovered during a dawn raid at a prison in Empangeni city in South Africa’s Kwa-Zulu Natal province, state broadcaster SABC reports. The acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale led the raid at the Qalakabusha correctional centre. The prison has seen several …

Mariano Nhongo, a rebel leader in Mozambique has been killed following an intense gun battle with government troops in his forest hide-out in central Sofala province, police have said. Mariano Nhongo, former leader of the Renamo Military Junta was killed along with a close associate of his. Mariano Nhongo had …

A German tourist and a crew member have died after a luxury houseboat caught fire on a dam in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, local media report. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said it was investigating the cause of the blaze, the BBC reports. The boat was reportedly on …

The South African ruling party African National Congress (ANC) has accused the largest opposition party of inflaming racial tension with its choice of election posters in an area where more than 30 people were killed during unrest in July. Earlier this week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) put up posters around …

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), has agreed to extend the presence of regional troops fighting militants in the northern part of Mozambique. The Mozambican president Filipe Nyusi has confirmed the extension on Tuesday at the end of an extraordinary summit which was called to assess the performance of the …

Islamist militants have kidnapped seven women from a village in the Mozambican northern province of Cabo Delgado, local media reports. Southern African troops launched a rescue mission but they were unable to find the captives. In a separate incident, the insurgents attacked a village in Mueda district, looting food and …

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), one of the largest unions in the country, has announced the start of an indefinite strike. The strike will affect some mining, construction, engineering and automotive companies whose employees are members. NUMSA calls for an 8% salary increase and a subsequent …