Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved a draft constitutional amendment that could keep President Mnangagwa in power until 2030 by extending terms and changing how the president is elected. Opposition leaders and activists have condemned the move as a “constitutional coup,” sparking protests and warnings of political instability.
President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to fight organised crime and revive the economy, announcing the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining, while also outlining plans to expand infrastructure, renewable energy, and trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
However, based on recent history, many fear these promises will remain empty, and that using the army to fight crime could pave the way for martial law. Persistent government inaction has already contributed to factory closures, worsening gang violence, potential government overreach, and long-neglected water storage and treatment systems.
However, based on recent history, many fear these promises will remain empty, and that using the army to fight crime could pave the way for martial law. Persistent government inaction has already contributed to factory closures, worsening gang violence, potential government overreach, and long-neglected water storage and treatment systems.
China has announced it will eliminate import tariffs on goods from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, in a move aimed at deepening trade and economic cooperation across the continent. The zero-tariff policy, set to take effect in May 2026, will grant duty-free access to a wide range of African exports entering the Chinese market, expanding on existing preferential trade arrangements.
South Africa-Official figures show that 352 rhinos were killed by poachers last year, down from 420 in 2024, in the country with the world’s largest rhino population. However, killings in Kruger National Park nearly doubled to 175, up from 88 the previous year.
Kruger borders Mozambique, which has historically been used as a transit route by trafficking gangs, making the vast park more vulnerable to cross-border poaching networks.
Kruger borders Mozambique, which has historically been used as a transit route by trafficking gangs, making the vast park more vulnerable to cross-border poaching networks.
Tongaat Hulett, a 134‑year-old South African sugar producer, is heading toward provisional liquidation after its business rescue plan collapsed due to failed funding and lapsed sale agreements. The company, which operates multiple mills and the country’s only white sugar refinery, is a key player in the nation’s sugar industry. Its potential closure threatens thousands of jobs, destabilizes the sugar value chain, and puts rural livelihoods at risk, particularly in KwaZulu‑Natal and Mpumalanga.
At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for stronger cooperation with Europe on security, urging unity while criticizing European climate and migration policies. He described Europe’s climate approach as overly ideological, arguing it harms economies by restricting fossil fuel use and energy production.
Norwegian authorities have raided multiple properties of former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland following revelations in the recently released Epstein Files showing his alleged connections with Jeffrey Epstein. The Council of Europe waived his diplomatic immunity to allow the investigation to proceed, and Jagland is now a formal suspect in an “aggravated corruption” probe by Norway’s Økokrim unit. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has called for a thorough inquiry, while the files’ revelations have sparked broader political scrutiny of elite networks in Norway, though inclusion in the documents does not automatically imply wrongdoing.
French prosecutors have set French Prosecutors Review Epstein Filesup a special team to examine documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, investigating whether French nationals may have committed crimes. The unit is revisiting past cases like Jean‑Luc Brunel’s and probing new leads involving a diplomat, a modelling agent, and a musician. Authorities stress that appearing in the files does not imply guilt, but the release of U.S. materials has prompted renewed scrutiny of possible cross‑border offenses.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan‑Cortina faced an unexpected supply issue as the athletes’ village reportedly ran out of condoms within the first three days. Organizers initially distributed around 10,000 condoms, but heavy demand quickly depleted the stock, prompting plans for additional restocking.
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced a major digital upgrade for Table Mountain National Park.
Earlier this month, the park introduced new indemnity and passport verification forms at entry gates, but these caused long queues and frustration among visitors and tour operators. Following public backlash, SANParks suspended the forms and reverted to the previous entry system.
Over the next year, SANParks plans to implement a fully digital system featuring automated ID and passport scanning, faster verification, and improved visitor data management.
Earlier this month, the park introduced new indemnity and passport verification forms at entry gates, but these caused long queues and frustration among visitors and tour operators. Following public backlash, SANParks suspended the forms and reverted to the previous entry system.
Over the next year, SANParks plans to implement a fully digital system featuring automated ID and passport scanning, faster verification, and improved visitor data management.
US ambassador-designate Brent Bozell III has arrived in South Africa, where he is set to present his credentials to Cyril Ramaphosa, formally assuming his post as the top envoy of the United States in Pretoria. The ceremony, a key diplomatic protocol, will officially empower him to represent Washington in one of America’s most strategically significant partnerships on the African continent.
Bozell’s arrival comes at a delicate moment in bilateral relations. Ties between Washington and Pretoria have faced strain in recent years over South Africa’s foreign policy positions, and broader geopolitical alignments.
Bozell’s arrival comes at a delicate moment in bilateral relations. Ties between Washington and Pretoria have faced strain in recent years over South Africa’s foreign policy positions, and broader geopolitical alignments.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is reportedly under pressure due to budget constraints, personnel shortages, and aging equipment. Analysts have raised concerns about force readiness, sustainability, and the long-term ability to maintain both domestic deployments and international commitments.
Reduced recruitment over several years has contributed to an aging rank structure, while limited capital investment has slowed modernization efforts.
Reduced recruitment over several years has contributed to an aging rank structure, while limited capital investment has slowed modernization efforts.
Senior Russian officials, including Kremlin ally Nikolai Patrushev, have issued strong warnings to European nations such as the UK, France and Baltic states that Russia may deploy its navy and take retaliatory measures if European powers seize Russian vessels tied to sanctions‑evasion, raising fears of maritime confrontations in contested waters.
In a disturbing incident in Stanger, KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, two women were arrested after they brought the body of their deceased grandmother into a branch of Capitec Bank on Wednesday morning as part of a protest over an unpaid funeral insurance claim.
According to police, the family had two funeral cover policies with the bank: one had already been paid out, while the second claim was still under verification because of an unclear funeral parlour stamp. Frustrated, the family arrived at the bank in a funeral parlour vehicle and brought the body into the branch, leaving it on the floor covered in a body bag (footage of the moment circulated widely on social media).
According to police, the family had two funeral cover policies with the bank: one had already been paid out, while the second claim was still under verification because of an unclear funeral parlour stamp. Frustrated, the family arrived at the bank in a funeral parlour vehicle and brought the body into the branch, leaving it on the floor covered in a body bag (footage of the moment circulated widely on social media).
Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested by British authorities on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest follows renewed scrutiny tied to longstanding investigations connected to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The news has reignited debate over transparency within the monarchy and intensified public discussion about accountability at the highest levels of British society.
The European Union has extended its 24-year arms embargo on Zimbabwe, citing ongoing concerns regarding governance, political repression, and human rights violations. While Zimbabwe continues to pursue international support and trade opportunities, the EU’s decision reflects a cautious approach to supplying military equipment that could potentially be misused.