Southern Africa

UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan has arrived in Zimbabwe to assess the impact of sanctions imposed on the country by the US and European Union. The sanctions were imposed in 2002 when Robert Mugabe was president. They target companies and specific individuals both within the Zimbabwean government and those associated …

Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops rescued forty-seven people who had been kidnapped in northern Mozambique by Islamists. There was no confrontation between SADC troops and the Islamic State-linked militants, because the five hostage-takers fled when they realised the presence of the regional force, reports say. Read also: Cambridge to …

Government in Zimbabwe, in a circular, announced that it will bar unvaccinated civil workers from reporting for duty from Monday as part of efforts to fight COVID-19. The Zimbabwean government on Thursday said civilian workers should be fully immunized before returning to work on Monday. “Please note that members who …

A special unit of the South African army rescued two ministers and a deputy, after they were taken hostage by war veterans demanding reparations for their role in the fight against the apartheid government. The Liberation Struggle War Veterans, from the disbanded ANC military wing, are demanding a one-off payment …

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 …