HARARE – Zimbabwe’s flagship arts event, the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), is set to return in 2026 after an eight-year hiatus, marking a major revival for the country’s cultural and creative industries. Organisers confirmed that the festival will run from August 3 to 9, 2026, in Harare under the theme “Up”, symbolising renewal, growth, and a fresh chapter for one of Africa’s most celebrated arts platforms.

JOHANNESBURG — The high-profile attempted murder trial of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, has descended into legal friction following explosive revelations at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court this past Friday. The proceedings, already under heavy public scrutiny, hit a deadlock after a heated dispute emerged regarding an alleged out-of-court settlement and the whereabouts of the firearm reportedly used in the February shooting of security gua

CHIREDZI — Tensions within the ruling Zanu PF party in Chiredzi West have taken a dangerous turn following a reported petrol-bomb attack on the home of the Ward 25D chairman, Elias Chinanga, on Thursday night. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through local political circles, is being linked by observers to the deepening factional rifts currently plaguing the party’s district structures.

HARARE – Jailed businessman Moses Mpofu has opened up about an emotional moment during the recently concluded Family Week at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, revealing how one of his young sons asked to spend the night with him behind bars.

DUDLEY, UK — A harrowing chapter in a childcare tragedy concluded on Friday, 17 April 2026, as a British nursery worker was sentenced to three years and four months in prison following the death of 14-month-old Noah Sibanda.

MASVINGO – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested four suspected armed robbers believed to be behind a string of raids across Triangle, Chiredzi, and Mkwasine between January and mid-April 2026. Police identified the suspects as Collen Gweme (28), Probit Njanjure (24), Gift Chibharo (28), and Farai Tazivarose (59), also known as “Chitichi”.

HARARE – Zimbabwe international Tawanda Maswanhise has capped off a sensational breakthrough campaign by being named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Scotland Team of the Season, cementing his status as one of the most in-form forwards in the Scottish Premiership. The 23-year-old striker has been a standout performer for Motherwell F.C., playing a central role in the club’s impressive 2025/26 season.

RUSAPE – A 62-year-old apostolic sect evangelist from Makoni has been convicted of sexually abusing a pregnant 17-year-old congregant, in a case that has reignited concerns over abuse of authority within religious communities. The accused, Russia Muradzikwa, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe, facing a charge of having sexual intercourse with a young person.

MUSINA — A brazen attempt to smuggle a stolen luxury vehicle across the Limpopo River ended in a dramatic shootout on Friday, as South African security forces engaged a group of suspected carjackers near the Zimbabwean border. The high-speed pursuit, which involved both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), resulted in the recovery of a grey Toyota Prado valued at approximately R700,000.

HARARE — Just 24 hours after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) announced heightened deployments to secure the Harare West constituency, brazen armed robbers struck Mabelreign Girls High School, leaving a security guard in critical condition and escaping with approximately US$500.

HARARE — Motorists breathed a collective sigh of relief late Friday as the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) announced an immediate reduction in pump prices for both diesel and petrol, marking the first tangible cooldown following the steep hikes earlier this month. The adjustment, effective immediately as of April 17, 2026, sees diesel drop to US$2.09 per litre (down from US$2.11) and petrol fall to US$2.08 per litre (a significant drop from US$2.23).

HARARE – Etihad Airways has announced plans to launch flights to Zimbabwe as part of a major African expansion, with Harare confirmed among six new destinations aimed at boosting global connectivity.

SHURUGWI — A 38-year-old Shurugwi man has been ordered to perform 140 hours of community service after a violent confrontation with a teacher at Gato Secondary School over the removal of an old school sign. The accused, Reason Magedi, appeared before Shurugwi Magistrate Sithabile Zungula this week. Magedi pleaded guilty to the charge of assault, leading to a conviction that highlights the growing concern over the safety of educators in rural school settings.

BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that 12 people died in the deadly kombi explosion along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road, as authorities begin identifying victims and investigating the cause of the blast. The incident occurred on April 16, 2026, at around 12:45PM near the 27-kilometre peg close to Esigodini, when a Toyota Quantum carrying passengers suddenly exploded.

GANTSI, BOTSWANA — A 51-year-old Zimbabwean national has been apprehended by the Botswana Police Service following the discovery of a massive cannabis plantation at a farm in the Gantsi area. The suspect, identified as Clifford Nkomo, was arrested after a police raid on the property uncovered approximately 500 kilograms of dagga. Authorities estimate the illicit haul has a street value of P250,000 (roughly US$18,600), marking one of the region's largest narcotic busts in rece

HARARE – Seasoned human rights lawyer Bellinda Chinowawa has been appointed Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), effective March 1, 2026. The appointment comes at a time when rights groups say Zimbabwe is facing mounting challenges around civic freedoms, governance, and access to justice.

HARARE — In a major relief for the private sector, the Government of Zimbabwe has officially extended the deadline for the mandatory re-registration of companies by two years. Businesses now have until April 20, 2028, to comply with the new digital registry requirements or face automatic de-registration. The extension, formalized through Statutory Instrument 76 of 2026, amends the previous deadline of April 20, 2026. The move follows months of mounting pressure from business

MASVINGO — A 23-year-old Masvingo man who broke into a church restroom to masturbate in front of a woman has been sentenced to an effective four-month prison term. Edison Javangwe appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Caroline Tafira Nyoni on Thursday, facing charges of indecent assault and possession of dangerous drugs. In a bizarre series of events, Javangwe was apprehended only after he returned to the scene of the crime to retrieve the clothing he had abandoned during his f

HARARE – Christopher Mutsvangwa has warned ambitious members of the ruling ZANU PF to be patient and wait until 2030, as internal tensions over succession continue to simmer.

HARARE – Following the recent partnership between the Southerton Community Development Trust (SCDT) and Stella Park International Academy (SPIA), the Burundi-based institution has moved to address key concerns raised by Zimbabwean educators about working conditions, integration, and career development. SPIA, a fully private international school offering an English-language programme, says it is committed to ensuring a safe, professional, and rewarding environment for all recr