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But analysts warned it was unlikely the ruling ZANU-PF party would allow any loosening of its 43-year grip on power. Fewer than 10 of 210 parliamentary constituencies had results on Thursday, making it too early to identify any national trend. Results in the presidential race were not expected for another day or two but before a five-day deadline. "The equipment was being used to unlawfully tabulate election voting statistics and results from polling stations throughout the country," police spokesman Paul Nyathi said in a statement. The police named some of the organisations targeted as the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, Election Resource Centre and Team Pachedu - all well-known civil society groups that had said they were monitoring the vote in the interests of democracy.

Persons: Emmerson Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Chamisa, Mnangagwa's, Paul Nyathi, Eldred Masungure, Estelle Shirbon, Angus MacSwan, Miral Organizations: Police, Citizens Coalition, ZANU, PF, Bank, International Monetary Fund, Zimbabwe Election Support, Centre, Pachedu, University of Zimbabwe, Thomson Locations: Zimbabwe, HARARE, Harare

☆ What to Know as Zimbabwe Elects a President
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( John Eligon | More About John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The police have cracked down on opponents of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the incumbent, whose ZANU-PF party has governed the country since independence in 1980. Inconsistencies in voter rolls and confusion over polling sites have fueled accusations that the national electoral commission is in the party’s back pocket. Mr. Mnangagwa is poised for a big victory, they say, because he has set the country on track economically. But surveys suggest that many Zimbabweans have lost faith in their president. The clear front-runners are Mr. Mnangagwa, running in his second election, and Nelson Chamisa, who challenged Mr. Mnangagwa in 2018 and now leads a new party, Citizens Coalition for Change.

Persons: Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mnangagwa, ”, Vince Musewe, It’s, Nelson Chamisa Organizations: ZANU, The New York Times, Party, Citizens Coalition Locations: Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe’s, “

It is the second contest between the two after Mnangagwa won a closely contested poll in 2018, which the opposition allege was rigged. Some 6.6 million people are registered to vote in the nation of about 15 million. LITTLE CHANGE SINCE MUGABE ERAPolitical analysts say Zimbabwe's unending economic maelstrom could tip the contest in favour of the opposition if the election is clean. We will not accept a rigged vote," Chamisa said at his last campaign rally on Monday. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held on Oct. 2.

Persons: Mugabe, Mnangagwa, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Chamisa, Chamisa, Olivia Kumwenda, Estelle Shirbon, Giles Elgood Organizations: World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Citizens Coalition, MUGABE, PF, Risk Consulting, ZANU, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Parliamentary, Thomson Locations: HARARE, Zimbabwe, Shurugwi, Harare

☆ Zimbabwean tailors cash in on party apparel demand as vote nears
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Zimbabwe's ruling party supporter Lameck Chimanikire checks tailor-made clothing made in support of Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, at a workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 18, 2023. Business is booming for Zunze making colourful clothing printed with smiling faces of politicians seeking office in the presidential and parliamentary elections due on Aug. 23. Ahead of the vote, the informal clothing industry that includes tailors like Zunze is cashing in on demand from party supporters wanting to wear their party colours on their sleeves. For others, like ZANU-PF youth leader Lameck Chimanikire, the colourful outfits are not just about making a fashion statement. Since I grew up in the apostolic church, I thought of adapting the garment to tell a political message," Chimanikire said.

Persons: Lameck, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Judah Zunze's, Nelson Chamisa, Lameck Chimanikire, Chimanikire, Nyasha Chingono, Olivia Kumwenda, Peter Graff Organizations: Zimbabwe's, REUTERS, Citizens Coalition, ZANU, Thomson Locations: Harare, Zimbabwe, Bulawayo HARARE, Harare's Warren Park, Gweru

☆ Natalie Portman says "theatre" of soccer perfect venue to fight for gender equity
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Cast member Natalie Portman poses. Israeli-American Portman is the co-founder of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Angel City and is in Australia for the ongoing Women's World Cup along with many of the club's co-owners and staff. And it was really the female players being such icons and heroes... "I could like barely walk across the street without tripping, so this is definitely an unusual, unexpected turn of events in my life - my love for (soccer)," Portman said. "It was the fact that it was Natalie Portman, you know, queen of Star Wars, first female Thor, and I thought, well, if Natalie thinks it's possible, maybe it's possible," Nortman said.

Persons: Natalie Portman, Sarah Meyssonnier, Oscar, Portman, Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, General Fatma Samoura, Kara Nortman, Star, Thor, Natalie, it's, Nortman, Angel, Lori Ewing, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Cannes, National Women's Soccer League, Angel City, Angel, Equity Summit, Sydney Opera House, FIFA, Hollywood, Star Wars, Thomson Locations: France, Angel, Australia, U.S, Angel City, Harare, Zimbabwe

☆ Boxing legend Mayweather attends political rally in Zimbabwe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Former World Boxing Champion (WBC) Floyd Mayweather gestures to fans upon his arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 13, 2023. One of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's closest allies, gold magnate Scott Sakupwanya, who is looking to reclaim a parliamentary seat from the opposition, said he had invited Mayweather. "I am happy to see Mayweather here in Zimbabwe, it is his first time to come here. I am registered to vote, and I am going to vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa," 34-year-old White Marurame told Reuters. The youth vote is expected to be a crucial battlefield for the two main political parties, ZANU PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Persons: Floyd Mayweather, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Emmerson Mnangagwa's, Mayweather, Scott Sakupwanya, I, Sakupwanya, Emmerson Mnangagwa, White Marurame, Nyasha, Nellie Peyton, Frances Kerry Organizations: Boxing, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International, ZANU, ZANU PF, Reuters, Citizens Coalition, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Harare, Zimbabwe, Philimon Bulawayo HARARE, Mabvuku, American

☆ Zimbabwean court upholds opposition campaign launch ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BINDURA, Zimbabwe, July 9 (Reuters) - A Zimbabwean court on Sunday upheld a ban on the planned campaign launch by main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the third of its rallies to be banned as its leader Nelson Chamisa face hurdles on his campaign trail. CCC was scheduled to hold its campaign launch on Sunday in Bindura, about 100 km (62 miles) north of the capital Harare, but police banned the gathering citing problems with the venue. Bindura Magistrate Mary Musika then upheld the ban, saying CCC had failed to notify the police on time. A handful of opposition supporters chanted party slogans as they protested outside the court, adding they were not free to support their party. "It is disheartening because ZANU PF is allowed to campaign freely but they are using the law to block our rallies.

Persons: Nelson Chamisa, Mary Musika, Agency Gumbo, Patience Chigwande, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Nyasha Chingono, Olivia Kumwenda, David Holmes Organizations: Coalition, CCC, Agency, ZANU, ZANU PF, Reuters, Political, Thomson Locations: BINDURA, Zimbabwe, Bindura, Harare

☆ Want a Last-Minute Ticket to Wimbledon? No Problem. Just Get in Line.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( David Waldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Moisture infiltrated the tent, she did not get any sleep and she vowed never to do it again. “You go through it and say, ‘Never again,’ but then of course you want to.”They were prepared to awake at 6 a.m. Thursday (after being in line almost 18 hours). Campers are given 30 minutes to dismantle their tents and put them in daily storage, then get into the line and wait — wait for it — for four more hours until the gates open. Among those still hoping to get in on Wednesday was a group of teenage tennis players from the Time To Play Tennis Academy in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. “But it’s Wimbledon.

Persons: Maria Balhetchet, Felix Bailey, Balhetchet, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, “, ”, ‘, Doug Robinson, Robinson Organizations: —, Tennis Academy, Wimbledon, England Locations: Dorset, England, Zimbabwe’s, Harare, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, London

☆ Botswana, De Beers agree 'in principle' to new diamond sales deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Brian Benza | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An interim sales agreement is in place until the new pact is finalised, the two partners said in a statement. "The transformational new agreements between Botswana and De Beers reflect the aspirations of the people of Botswana, propels both Botswana and De Beers forward, and underpins the future of their Debswana joint venture through long-term investment," the statement said. Botswana, the world's second largest diamond producer after Russia by output, supplies 70% of De Beers' rough diamonds. Diamond sales, almost entirely from Debswana, account for two-thirds of Botswana's foreign currency receipts and a fifth of its gross domestic product. Debswana's diamond sales hit a record $4.6 billion last year, compared to $3.5 billion in 2021.

Persons: De Beers, Lefoko Moagi, Debswana, De, Okavango Diamond, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Masisi, Felix Njini, Nelson Banya, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Botswana Mines, De Beers, De, HB Antwerp, Thomson Locations: Botswana, Russia, Nairobi, Harare, Nilutpal

July 1 (Reuters) - Botswana and De Beers Group have agreed a new diamond sales deal in which the African country, the world's No. 1 diamond producer by value, gradually increases the share of rough stones it gets from their joint venture Debswana over the next decade to 50%, the government and the mining company said on Saturday. The Botswana government and De Beers said they had agreed on a 10-year sales deal for Debswana's rough diamond production through to 2033, and on a 25-year Debswana mining licence valid until 2054. The Botswana-De Beers agreement allows the partners to advance the investment required to secure Debswana's position as one of the world's leading gem producers, De Beers said. Botswana, where De Beers has been present for 50 years, is heavily reliant on diamonds, with two-thirds of its foreign currency receipts coming from mining, sales and ancillary activities linked to the precious stone.

Persons: De Beers, Debswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, weren't, Felix Njini, Promit Mukherjee, Nelson Banya, Leslie Adler, David Holmes Organizations: De Beers Group, Okavango, Thomson Locations: Botswana, Debswana, pula, Nairobi, Harare, Nilutpal

☆ Lithium miner Premier's shares slide on Zimbabwe force majeure
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HARARE, June 26 (Reuters) - Shares in Premier African Minerals (PREM.L) plunged 40% on Monday after the company declared force majeure at its Zimbabwe lithium mine, citing a defect at its processing plant. Premier said it issued a force majeure notice to Canmax on June 25 because milling problems at its recently completed plant had affected production plans. "The company is unable to deliver product within the stipulated dates as set out in the agreement," Premier said. Triggering a force majeure clause in contracts allows certain terms of an otherwise legally binding agreement to be ignored because of unavoidable circumstances. However, in the context of the current stage of discussions with Canmax in respect of the amended agreement, Premier will now engage with these other interested parties," it said.

Persons: majeure, Canmax, Nelson Banya, David Goodman Organizations: African Minerals, China's, Premier, Canmax, Thomson Locations: HARARE, Zimbabwe, Canmax, China, Europe

☆ Zimbabwe president pledges economic revival as election campaign kicks off
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The election comes amid a raging economic crisis, with high inflation and a currency that plunged more than 50% this month against the U.S. dollar. In remarks aimed mostly at his rural support base at the weekend, Mnangagwa pledged infrastructure developments. Mnangagwa toppled independent Zimbabwe's first president, Robert Mugabe, in a coup in 2017, eding his 37-year rule. The opposition CCC party enjoys considerable support in towns and cities, while ZANU-PF's supporters are mainly in rural areas. Zimbabwe has endured over two decades of economic failure following land seizures by Mugabe, plunging the southern African country into an economic crisis.

Persons: Emmerson Mnangagwa, Nelson Chamisa, Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe, eding, Mugabe, Nyasha Chingono, Carien du Plessis, Emelia Organizations: ZANU, Citizens Coalition, U.S ., CCC, Thomson Locations: Zimbabwe, Chipinge, Harare, Chamisa

☆ Zimbabweans hit by rising prices as local currency plummets
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HARARE, June 14 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean businesses and households are fearing a repeat of the hyperinflation seen more than a decade ago as prices of basic commodities spike after a sharp weakening in the local currency, despite government efforts to boost it. "I went into the supermarket to buy bread and other groceries items but I was shocked to see that prices had gone up. While some retailers have hiked local currency prices, others are trading exclusively in U.S. dollars to cushion themselves from the weakening Zimdollar. "It is not possible for the retailer to procure goods with U.S. dollar and sell them in local currency," Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Denford Mutashu said. As panic over the weakening Zimdollar spreads, there have been calls for Zimbabwe to again fully dollarise the economy.

Persons: Denford Mutashu, Gift Mugano, John Mangudya, Mangudya, Nyasha, Olivia Kumwenda, Mark Potter Organizations: U.S ., of Zimbabwe Retailers, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HARARE, Zimbabwe, Reuters Zimbabwe

☆ In Zimbabwe, female rugby team seeks to keep girls off the streets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Shingi Chigegede, a member of the Zimbiru Rugby Academy Club, an all-female rugby team, makes a try during a legue match against Old Georgians sports club in the capital Harare, in Zimbabwe, April 29, 2023. REUTERS/Philimon BulawayoDOMBOSHAVA, Zimbabwe, May 30 (Reuters) - Bridget Magasu is the first to arrive for the training session, clutching a rugby ball while she waits for other members of her all-female rugby team to arrive. Domboshava, a hub for transporting farm produce, has become a hotspot for sex work. "We wanted the girls to stay away from the streets," team coach Takudzwa Ngirazi, 25, a former club rugby player said. Jobs are scarce, pushing teenage girls into sex work - sometimes for as little as U.S. $2.

☆ African Devt Bank proposes 'fast track' compensation for Zimbabwe white ex-farmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HARARE, May 15 (Reuters) - The African Development Bank (AFDB) has developed financial instruments to "fast track and front load" $3.5 billion in compensation to white farmers whose land was taken from them by Zimbabwe's government, the bank's president said on Monday. Zimbabwe agreed in 2020 to compensate local white farmers whose land was taken by the government from 2000 onwards to resettle Black families, in one of the most divisive policies of the Robert Mugabe era, while foreign white farmers were allowed to apply to get seized land back. Adesina said the new proposal to former white farmers would "help leverage the capital markets to fund the compensation without adding debt to Zimbabwe," without providing further details. Adesina said that 91% of Zimbabwe's multilateral debt and 61% of its bilateral debt is in arrears. "The government takes full ownership of the debt process and the implementation of reforms," Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube told the press conference.

☆ Invictus Energy confirms oil, gas and helium find in Zimbabwe
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Invictus Energy Ltd FollowHARARE, May 8 (Reuters) - Australia-listed Invictus Energy (IVZ.AX) on Monday confirmed the presence of light oil, gas condensate and helium at its Cabora Bassa project in Zimbabwe, sending its shares up 8.7%. “Analysis shows the presence of light oil and rich natural gas condensate, with condensate gas ratios estimated at between 30 and 135 barrels per million cubic feet," it said. The analysis also confirmed the presence of helium gas in commercial concentrations comparable with global helium producing fields, the company added. Helium is a key component in the manufacture of semiconductors, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels and fibre optic wire. “Success at Mukuyu-2 and confirmation of a significant discovery will further unlock the value of our material portfolio," said Invictus Energy Managing Director Scott MacMillan.

☆ Nightmare in Sudan: African expats struggle to find way out
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Macdonald Dzirutwe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Thousands piled into buses and trucks for the 800 km (500 miles) journey by road from Khartoum to Port Sudan on the Red Sea to board ships. He had to wait four more days for transport to Port Sudan, an overnight trip. After a week, word reached them that there would be transport leaving from their embassy for Port Sudan. RSF fighters stopped the family along the way but let them pass when he said he was looking for food for his son. From Port Sudan, they travelled via cargo ship to Saudi Arabia.

[1/2] Mourners hold a poster during the state funeral of Zimbabwe's longtime ruler Robert Mugabe at a national sports stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe, September 14, 2019. Still, some farmers say they will reject the government's $3.5 billion compensation package for being inadequate financially and for paying scant regard to land restitution or restoring property rights. Farmers say the plan was agreed by the Commercial Farmers Union in July 2020 and subsequently revised without adequate consultation. "The offer of bonds represents a very significant reduction in value with a prolonged redemption period," Gilpin, 67, told Reuters. The government was continuing discussions with farmers over appropriate payment methods and time frames, Ncube said.

☆ Is the U.S. falling behind China in Africa’s lithium industry?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The demand for lithium is rising as it has become a critical component needed in electric vehicle batteries. Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita Minerals Mine, which is located 300 kilometers south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources. In December 2022, Zimbabwe passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act that banned the export of raw lithium. That includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt , Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe. Both the Bikita mine, which is the largest lithium mine in the country, and the Arcadia Lithium mine are Chinese owned.

Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita mine, which is located 300 km south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources. In December, the country passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act, which banned the export of raw lithium. However, companies that are already developing mines or processing plants in Zimbabwe are exempt from this ban. This includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt , Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group , which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe. CNBC explores Zimbabwe's mining sector to find out why China has a stronghold on the country and why it matters to the U.S.

☆ Mozambicans seek shelter as storm Freddy makes landfall
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Manuel Mucari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MAPUTO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Mozambicans took shelter on Friday as tropical storm Freddy made landfall in a small coastal town, with heavy rain expected to batter the country's southern provinces for several days. Pictures posted by Matos on Facebook showed children and adults sitting on the floor in a crowded primary school classroom. Up to 1.75 million people could be affected by the storm and severe flooding, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement. Mozambique has already been battling severe flooding in recent days, and the government has declared a state of "red alert" to expedite operations to tackle Freddy. In Zimbabwe, which is expected to see heavy rain from Freddy, the education ministry has suspended school in six provinces.

☆ Top Israeli diplomat ejected from African Union summit as row escalates
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Dawit Endeshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - A senior Israeli diplomat was on Saturday removed from the African Union's annual summit in Ethiopia, as a dispute over Israel's accreditation to the bloc escalated. Images posted online showed AU security personnel confronting the diplomat during the opening ceremony of the summit, before she left the auditorium. But Israel blamed the incident on South Africa and Algeria, two key nations in the 55-nation bloc, saying they were holding the AU hostage, and were driven by "hate". South Africa rejected the claim, saying Israel's application for observer status at the AU has not been decided upon by the bloc. "So, it's not about South Africa or Algeria, it's an issue of principle."

☆ Australia T20 skipper Finch retires from internationals after "amazing ride"
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MELBOURNE, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch announced his retirement from internationals on Tuesday, drawing a line under a career that yielded two World Cup trophies and more than 8,000 runs across formats. Also the former one-day skipper, Finch retired from the 50-over game last September and then took the home summer to decide on his T20 future after Australia's World Cup title defence ended before the semi-finals. At his home Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he savoured his first World Cup triumph in the 50-over tournament in 2015, Finch said it was time for a successor to make a mark. "Today, fully, I think the time is right to let the T20 team move on into a new phase, particularly with a World Cup coming up in 2024," he told reporters. Invariably, he was right, and his calm leadership proved invaluable as his written-off team clicked in the United Arab Emirates to win a first T20 World Cup.

☆ Zimbabwe cuts policy rate to 150% after inflation falls
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

HARARE, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's central bank has cut its policy rate by 50 percentage points to 150%, it said in a statement on Thursday, driven by a downward trend in inflation since late last year. Monthly inflation fell to 1.1% in January from 2.4% in December, while yearly inflation dipped to 229.8% from 243.8%. "The moderation in interest rates is important and necessitated by the downward trend in the month-on-month inflation since the last quarter of 2022," said the bank, adding it expects the trend to continue into 2023. "The Bank will continue its tight monetary policy stance," it added. Reporting by Nellie Peyton and Nyasha Chingono Editing by Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Zimbabwe police arrest 25 opposition members ahead of presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HARARE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean police on Saturday fired teargas at an opposition party gathering in Harare and arrested 25 of its members, including two members of parliament, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said. The arrests come after a wave of politically motivated violence against opposition supporters in rural Zimbabwe, raising fears of repression ahead of the presidential election this year. Police confirmed the arrests of members of the Citizens Coalition for Change, Zimbabwe's main opposition political party, and said a detailed statement would be released following investigations. Police allegedly fired teargas at the gathering, and beat up several opposition members before they were bundled into a police truck, she added. The opposition party, born out of the old Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), enjoys massive urban support and is seen as a threat to ZANU-PF's 43-year-old stranglehold on power.

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