By KITSEPILE NYATHI A recent spat between South African and Zimbabwean officials has highlighted tensions over healthcare services. South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister accused Zimbabwe of sending its citizens for free medical treatment, straining South African hospitals. In response, Zimbabwean officials defended their healthcare system’s capacity, with the government spokesperson labeling the South African Minister’s comments as xenophobic. The exchange sheds light on the challenges faced by Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector, including a brain drain of medical professionals and shortages of essential supplies. Medical refugees Thousands of Zimbabweans migrate to South Africa daily, seeking healthcare and refuge due to economic challenges.…

Ugandan tourist acquitted in Zimbabwe over sex toy possession A Ugandan tourist, Tom Ssekamwa, who spent 24 days in a Zimbabwean jail for possessing a sex toy, has been acquitted and is now awaiting deportation. Ssekamwa, 24, was arrested in Masvingo alongside a Czech tourist during a government crackdown on dissent ahead of a regional summit. Prosecutors initially claimed that Ssekamwa violated the Censorship Act by carrying the sex toy, but the magistrate ruled in his favor, stating that the possession did not compromise public decency. His lawyer, from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, is working on securing his deportation.…

Zimbabwe’s new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), introduced in April 2021, backed by gold and foreign reserves, is facing challenges as it struggles against depreciation just five months after its launch. The government’s attempt to ditch the US dollar and control the foreign exchange rate has not been as successful as hoped, leading to concerns about the future stability of the currency. Market watchers and economists, including President Mnangagwa’s advisor Eddie Cross, are warning that without immediate interventions, the ZiG may follow the same path as the defunct Zimbabwe dollar. Despite efforts to shore up the currency, including fines for…

By KITSEPILE NYATHI Zimbabwe is facing a debt crisis, with the debt stock rising to $18 billion, posing a significant threat to the country’s financial stability. Much of the debt is from China, as the country struggles to access loans from traditional creditors like the World Bank and IMF. The opaque nature of foreign borrowing has worsened the situation. The debt defaults of the early 2000s have led to punitive penalties, limiting Zimbabwe’s ability to service its debt. Talks with creditors, led by former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano and AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina, are facing uncertainty after the US withdrew…

By KITSEPILE NYATHI Zimbabwe recently deported two Chinese nationals accused of hanging two mine employees on a front-end loader, sparking a debate on investor abuses. The viral video showing the employees being tied and lifted caused outrage, prompting authorities to take action. Although the police identified the suspects and complainants at Makanga mine, the government spokesperson later announced the deportation of the accused Chinese nationals. The Zimbabwe Miners Federation condemned the act as inhumane and called for a thorough investigation into the practices at the mine. Furthermore, reports by various organizations have revealed widespread abuse of local workers in Chinese-owned…

By KITSEPILE NYATHI The Zimbabwe government is clamping down on opponents ahead of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit set to take place on August 17 in Harare. President Emmerson Mnangagwa will become the new chairperson of SADC at the summit, but unresolved political tensions are looming. The summit could potentially address issues between Zimbabwe and Zambia after a leaked conversation revealed Mnangagwa’s concerns about alleged military equipment being installed in Zambia to target Harare. Locally, there are reports of planned protests during the summit, prompting Mnangagwa’s government to intensify its crackdown on opposition groups. The recent arrests…

Zambia Accuses Zimbabwe of Sovereignty Violation In a recent development, Zambia has accused Zimbabwe of infringing on its sovereignty, intensifying a diplomatic dispute that has been brewing between the two neighboring countries. The tensions escalated after a video surfaced showing Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressing concerns to Russian leader Vladimir Putin about Zambia’s relationships with Western nations. Zambia’s Foreign Affairs minister Mulambo Haimbe has sought intervention from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union to address the conflict decisively. He emphasized Zambia’s commitment to maintaining positive relations with both Zimbabwe and Russia, without any intention of antagonizing…