Zimbabwe’s parliament has summoned former President Robert Mugabe to give evidence about a claim he made about huge-scale diamond theft. Mr Mugabe accused foreign mining firms of “swindling” and “smuggling” in an interview on state-run TV in 2016. “The companies have virtually robbed us of our wealth,” he said, adding that the treasury had seen … Read more
Zimbabwe’s government has sacked more than 10,000 nurses who went on strike on Monday, in an apparently hardline attempt to quell labour unrest. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga said the nurses had refused to return to work after $17m (£12m) was released to increase their pay. He chided them for not going back “in the interest of … Read more
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has released the names of hundreds of companies and individuals who failed to return $827m (£590m) illegally stashed abroad despite an amnesty. After taking office last year Mr Mnangagwa gave individuals and companies 90 days to give up the funds. He said on Monday it had resulted in $591m being returned, … Read more
The leader of Zimbabwe’s newest political party has met up with Robert Mugabe, leading to speculation about whether the former president is really done with politics. Retired Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri says he visited the politician at home to update him on his new role as presidential candidate for the National Patriotic Front (NPF), which is … Read more
In our series of letters from Africa, Zimbabwean journalist-turned-barrister Brian Hungwe considers the fate of ousted President Robert Mugabe as he celebrates his 94th birthday. A famous quote by Machiavelli advises politicians: “It is better to be feared than loved – if you cannot have both.” However, the Italian Renaissance author and statesman then warns … Read more
The vice chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the awarding of a doctorate to former first lady Grace Mugabe. Levi Nyagura was detained by the country’s anti-corruption agency, to be charged with abuse of office. Mrs Mugabe was awarded a PhD just months after enrolling in … Read more
Mugabe National Holiday – Zimbabwe has officially declared 21 February to be Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day, thereby making the former president’s birthday a public holiday. This comes after his sucessor Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn into office following a bloodles coup. New President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to form a cabinet this week. According to … Read more