Community members retrieving the body from the Muchingwizi River. HARARE  – The body of a 64-year-old nurse from Mwenezi, Frank Siziba, has been recovered nearly three weeks after the flooded Muchingwizi River swept him away. Police confirmed that Siziba’s remains were discovered on Wednesday, March 25, about five kilometres downstream from a river crossing point where he is believed to have been carried away. According to Kudakwashe Dhewa, the Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, the body was found at around 7 am by the deceased’s son. “The body was discovered trapped between tree roots along the riverbank,” Dhewa said. Authorities noted that the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, but family members were able to identify Siziba through his wristwatch and clothing. Siziba had been missing since the evening of March 6. He was last seen at Matibi Business Centre, where he had been socialising. Witnesses said he left around 10 pm after having supper at a friend’s home. He reportedly told the friend that he was heading to meet his wife, Shorai Zheke, who had earlier gone to a church service in Chapwanya Village. However, when Zheke returned home the following morning, she discovered that her husband had not arrived. After initial searches by family members proved unsuccessful, a missing person report was filed with police, triggering a wider search operation. The search continued for 19 days before the tragic discovery this week. Police believe Siziba may have attempted to cross the flooded river at night, a risky undertaking given the recent heavy rains that have caused rivers across Masvingo Province to swell. Authorities have urged members of the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers, particularly at night, as water levels remain dangerously high in many areas. “Flooded rivers pose a serious risk, even to strong swimmers,” Dhewa said. “We urge communities to exercise extreme caution and use designated safe crossing points where available.” The death has left the Mwenezi community in mourning, with residents describing Siziba as a dedicated health worker who served his community for many years. His death adds to a growing number of incidents linked to flooding during the rainy season, highlighting ongoing risks in rural areas where infrastructure such as bridges remains limited. Mwenezi nurse found dead

Wicknell Chivhayo and Sonja Madzikanda HARARE  – A high-stakes divorce dispute between businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his ex-wife Sonja Madzikanda has escalated, with Madzikanda demanding a US$25 million lump sum, US$40,000 monthly maintenance and a fleet of luxury vehicles. The demands are outlined in court papers before the High Court’s Family Division , where Chivayo is also seeking interim access to the couple’s two minor children. In her application, Madzikanda is seeking: A once-off payment of US$25 million Monthly spousal maintenance of US$40,000 until remarriage An annual US$1 million budget for holidays and entertainment Servicing costs for vehicles twice a year She is also claiming ownership of several properties, including real estate in Gletwyn, Ballantyne Park, and an apartment in Sandton, Johannesburg. In addition, she is demanding seven vehicles from the marital estate, including three Rolls-Royce models (Spectre, Ghost, and Phantom), a Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Mercedes-Benz Maybach, and a Lexus SUV. Madzikanda argues that the couple entered into a valid customary law marriage around July 17, 2017, with lobola negotiated and paid. Although the union was not formally registered, she contends it is governed by the Marriages Act of Zimbabwe and can only be dissolved by a court. She further argues that the Matrimonial Causes Act of Zimbabwe applies, entitling her to a share of assets accumulated during the marriage. Chivayo, through his lawyers at Mpofu Mazhata Chambers, is opposing the claims, describing them as excessive and without legal basis. His legal team argues that the unregistered customary union does not entitle Madzikanda to spousal maintenance or division of property under the law. They also claim that the relationship was effectively terminated through the traditional process of gupuro , allegedly initiated by Madzikanda in early 2024. “The union is only relevant to issues such as children’s status, custody and inheritance,” his lawyers argue. They further maintain that the couple’s estates were separate and that Madzikanda did not contribute to the acquisition of the assets she is claiming. Separately, Chivayo has filed an urgent chamber application seeking access to their two children, a boy born in January 2018 and a girl born in March 2019. He is requesting shared access on alternating weeks, including weekends, half of school holidays, and alternating birthdays and public holidays. Chivayo accuses Madzikanda of using the children as leverage in the financial dispute, an allegation she disputes. The High Court has reserved judgment on the interim access application, with the broader divorce case expected to hinge on the legal status of the couple’s union and the applicability of Zimbabwe’s matrimonial laws. Legal experts say the case could set an important precedent on how unregistered customary marriages are treated in high-value divorce disputes. Wicknell Chivayo divorce

Damaged USA Base in the Middle East HARARE  – At least 13 United States military bases across the Middle East have been rendered uninhabitable following Iranian strikes, forcing American troops to relocate to temporary sites, including hotels and office spaces, according to a report by The New York Times . The developments mark a dramatic shift in the evolving Iran–Israel conflict escalation in 2026, with officials describing the situation as a “remote war” due to the dispersal of US forces. “Iran has bombed US bases across the Middle East, forcing many American troops to relocate to hotels and office spaces,” the report said, citing US officials and military personnel. With key installations damaged or deemed unsafe, thousands of US troops have been scattered across multiple locations. Some have reportedly been redeployed to Europe, while others remain in the Middle East but no longer operate from traditional military bases. The shift has significantly altered battlefield dynamics, with operations continuing from decentralised and improvised locations. “So now much of the land-based military is, in essence, fighting the war while working remotely,” the report noted. Among the hardest-hit installations are US bases in Kuwait, including Port Shuaiba, Ali Al Salem Air Base, and Camp Buehring. A strike on Port Shuaiba reportedly destroyed a tactical operations centre and killed six US service members. Elsewhere: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar suffered damage to critical radar systems US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain was hit by a drone strike targeting communications infrastructure Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia sustained damage to refuelling tankers and communication systems Despite the disruption, the Pentagon says military operations are intensifying. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces have conducted more than 7,000 strikes on Iranian targets. “To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure,” he said. Military experts warn that operating from temporary or non-military facilities comes with significant limitations. “You’re absolutely going to lose capability,” said retired US Air Force targeting specialist Wes J. Bryant. “You can’t just put all that equipment on the top of a hotel.” Officials have clarified that troops are not operating from exposed positions, but acknowledged that decentralised operations affect efficiency and coordination. In a parallel development, commercial satellite firms have tightened access to imagery of the conflict zone. According to The Washington Post, companies such as Planet Labs have restricted access to images covering Iran, Gulf states, and active military areas. The firms say the move is intended to prevent sensitive geospatial data from being used by hostile actors to target US and allied forces. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly urged civilians to report sightings of relocated US troops, raising concerns about the safety of personnel outside fortified bases. At the same time, Iranian strikes have expanded beyond military targets to include energy infrastructure and strategic shipping routes, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Security analysts say decades of US military buildup in countries such as Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are now being tested by Iran’s missile capabilities. Even after sustained US airstrikes, officials acknowledge that Iran retains the ability to retaliate. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said layered defence systems are being reinforced across the region, as the conflict enters an increasingly unpredictable phase. Iran strikes US bases

Vendors in the city center of Harare By Simbarashe Namusi At the corner of 1st Street and Speke Avenue, the transformation did not arrive with a Harare City Council  policy directive or a public notice. It crept in. One kombi stopped where it should not have. A few passengers boarded. Another followed. Then came the vendors, the touts, the whistles, the hooting, the improvised commuter ranks . Today, what was once an intersection is, in practice, an illegal commuter omnibus rank. No one officially designated it. Yet everyone participates in sustaining it. It is easy to be comforting, even to place the blame squarely on municipal authorities. Urban management, after all, is their mandate. But to stop there is to misunderstand the nature of the problem. What is unfolding at 1st and Speke is not just a failure of governance. It is a quiet, collective surrender of standards. Harare is not merely being mismanaged, it is being co-authored into urban disorder by the very people who lament it. This is not to absolve those in charge. The absence of visible, consistent law enforcement creates the conditions in which illegality thrives. When rules exist but are not applied, they invite negotiation. When enforcement is sporadic, it signals that compliance is optional. In such an environment, the city ceases to be planned and becomes improvised. Yet public governance alone cannot sustain order in a city where everyday behavior consistently undermines it. When a City Forgets Its Sense of Beauty: Harare’s Quiet Descent into Improvised Order Zimbabwe’s informal economy  is estimated to account for well over 60% of economic activity, absorbing millions who operate outside formal structures. In such a context, the rise of undesignated ranks is not surprising it is, in many ways, rational. Kombi operators go where passengers are. Passengers go where convenience lies. Vendors follow foot traffic. The system feeds itself. But what is rational at an individual level can be destructive at a collective level. The result is a city that functions, but poorly; that moves, but inefficiently; that grows, but without urban coherence. Pavements become loading bays. Intersections become ranks. Noise replaces order. Urgency replaces town planning. And gradually, something less visible but more consequential is lost: the shared expectation that public space should be orderly, functional, and dignified. Harare was not always like this. There was a time when the city operated on an unspoken civic contract. People boarded at designated pickup points not merely out of fear of enforcement, but out of habit, expectation, and a certain pride in the city’s orderliness. Clean streets and structured movement were not luxuries they were civic norms. That culture has eroded. Today, urban decay no longer shocks, it adapts. Residents navigate around it, through it, and eventually with it. What begins as an inconvenience becomes routine. What was once unacceptable becomes merely inconvenient. And what is merely inconvenient is rarely resisted. This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable. Because while authorities may fail to enforce, residents are not powerless participants. Every commuter who boards at an illegal rank reinforces its existence. Every operator who stops outside designated zones expands it. Every vendor who sets up along the chaos consolidates it. The system persists not because it is imposed, but because it is collectively enabled. This is the paradox of Harare’s urban crisis: widespread dissatisfaction coexists with everyday complicity. To point this out is not to ignore economic realities. For many, informality is not a choice but a necessity. Designated ranks may be insufficient, poorly located, or economically limiting. Survival, in such cases, becomes the overriding logic. But survival cannot be the organizing principle of an entire city. Cities require a baseline of order to function effectively. Without it, systemic inefficiency becomes the norm. Time is lost. Safety is compromised. Investment is deterred. What appears as flexibility in the short term becomes stagnation in the long term. The situation at 1st and Speke is, therefore, more than a transport issue. It is a signal, a visible symptom of a deeper urban drift. A city that normalizes disorder in its smallest spaces will struggle to impose order in its larger ambitions. So what is to be done? First, authorities must move beyond reactive police crackdowns and establish consistent, predictable enforcement. Not dramatic raids, but daily presence. Not a temporary order, but a sustained structure. At the same time, designated ranks must be functional, sufficient, and aligned with real commuter flows. Planning that ignores lived realities will always be bypassed. Second, there must be a deliberate rebuilding of civic consciousness. This is not the language of policy, but it is the foundation of it. Cities are sustained not only by rules, but by shared belief in those rules. Residents must begin to see public space not as a free-for-all, but as a shared asset requiring discipline. Third, engagement with informal operators is critical. Sustainable urban order will not emerge from confrontation alone. It requires negotiated systems that recognize economic necessity while enforcing minimum standards of operation. Ultimately, the question facing Harare is not whether it can enforce order. It is whether it still values it. Because a city’s sense of beauty is not defined by architecture or aesthetics alone. It is defined by how it organizes itself, how it respects shared space, and how its people choose daily to behave within it. Until that sense of beauty is restored, no policy will be sufficient. And until residents demand order not just from authorities, but from themselves, Harare will remain what it is fast becoming: not a planned city, not a governed one, but an improvised one. Simbarashe Namusi is a peace, leadership, and governance scholar as well as a media expert writing in his personal capacity   Harare urban disorder

Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Edgar Moyo HARARE  – The Zimbabwean government says it is finalising plans to implement a long-awaited salary increase for civil servants starting in April, with negotiations expected to conclude within days. Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Edgar Moyo said authorities are engaging worker representatives through the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) to agree on the final package. Speaking on the sidelines of a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) engineers’ workshop in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Moyo acknowledged delays but insisted progress was now being made. “We all expect that something should have happened; there were delayed processes here and there, but I want to assure the nation that we are actively working on that,” he said. Moyo said a crucial NJNC meeting would take place within days, where government and labour unions are expected to settle outstanding issues. “Within a day or two, there is going to be a National Joint Negotiating Council meeting where these matters are going to be discussed, and hopefully they are going to be concluded,” he said. “The Government is active on the matter, and an agreement will be made once the workers have put in their demand and the Government has made their offer.” He described the process as a balancing act between worker expectations and government capacity. “Naturally, workers will demand as much as they want and employers will pay as much as they can afford,” Moyo said. While confirming that an adjustment is imminent, Moyo did not disclose the proposed salary figures, saying details would only be made public after negotiations are finalised. Civil servants can, however, expect the new pay structure to take effect in April if talks conclude successfully. The anticipated increase comes after nearly two years without a salary review for public sector workers, whose earnings have been eroded by inflation and rising living costs. Unions have repeatedly argued that current wages remain below pre-October 2018 levels in real terms, making it difficult for workers to meet basic expenses such as transport, housing and food. Labour analysts say the outcome of the negotiations will be critical in easing tensions across the public sector, where calls for industrial action have been growing. The government’s move comes amid mounting pressure from unions, including the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, which has already signalled possible strike action over low wages and poor working conditions. Health workers have also raised similar concerns, raising the risk of coordinated industrial action if salary negotiations fail to meet expectations. With talks entering a decisive phase, attention now shifts to whether government and unions can reach a compromise that addresses workers’ concerns while remaining fiscally sustainable. For many civil servants, the April timeline offers cautious hope , but the real test will be in the figures agreed at the negotiating table. Zimbabwe civil servants salary increase

Map showing African countries linked to recruitment networks HARARE  – At least 15 Zimbabwean nationals have died in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War after being allegedly trafficked into joining Russian forces through criminal recruitment networks, the government has confirmed. Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Wednesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said the victims were lured with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, only to be deployed to active war zones. Soda revealed that a total of 81 Zimbabweans were recruited into the Russian military under deceptive circumstances, with 15 confirmed dead so far. “It is with profound sorrow that I confirm to the nation that at least 15 Zimbabwean nationals have lost their lives in foreign battlefields after being deceived into enlisting in foreign wars,” he said. “Let me be unequivocal: this is human trafficking.” Authorities say the recruitment process often begins on social media, where so-called “ghost agencies” advertise high-paying jobs in logistics, security, or private contracting. Victims, many facing economic hardship, are persuaded to travel abroad, only to find themselves trapped. “Once they leave the country, they are stripped of passports and personal belongings, leaving them unable to escape,” Soda said.“They are then deployed into conflict zones with little to no training or protection.” He warned that in many cases, promised salaries are never paid, and recruiters disappear once problems arise. The Zimbabwean cases form part of a broader pattern involving African nationals being recruited into foreign conflicts. Investigations by international groups, including INPACT and All Eyes on Wagner , indicate that more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries have been identified within Russian ranks as of February 2026. Countries with the highest numbers include Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya, with additional recruits reported from Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Security analysts say the trend highlights the growing role of transnational trafficking networks exploiting economic vulnerability across the continent. “This is a new frontier of human trafficking, one that merges labour exploitation with armed conflict,” said Harare-based security analyst Tendai Moyo. The government has urged Zimbabweans to exercise extreme caution when responding to overseas job offers, particularly those advertised on social media. Officials say efforts are underway to dismantle the recruitment networks and protect citizens from exploitation. “Our citizens are being preyed upon by unscrupulous individuals who operate with complete disregard for human life,” Soda said. The revelations have sparked concern over the safety of Zimbabweans seeking opportunities abroad, as authorities warn that deceptive recruitment schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Zimbabweans killed Russia Ukraine war

Harare's Town House HARARE  – In a strategic move to modernize its notoriously fragmented accounting systems, the City of Harare  has announced the procurement of 100 state-of-the-art computers to support the full-scale rollout of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)  system. The update was delivered by Ward 18 Councillor Rufaro Matsika during a high-level consultative meeting with the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA)  at the Borrowdale Country Club on Tuesday night. The ERP system is viewed by stakeholders as the "silver bullet" for Town House’s longstanding transparency issues. For years, the lack of a synchronized digital ledger has led to billing discrepancies and audit queries from the Auditor General’s office. “The City of Harare has procured about 100 computers to support the ERP system. This will strengthen corporate governance and help curb irregularities,” Matsika told residents. “The system will also address accounting challenges and significantly improve efficiency in service delivery.” The transition to a robust ERP is expected to automate revenue collection and expenditure tracking, reducing the human interface that has historically been a conduit for financial leakages. While the digital shift offers a glimmer of hope for administrative efficiency, Matsika was candid about the "unsatisfactory" state of essential services. Residents of Harare East continue to grapple with persistent water shortages and aging infrastructure. “Our teams continue to attend to pipe bursts and unblockages, but the water situation remains unsatisfactory,” Matsika acknowledged. She noted that major pipe replacement works are currently underway, which are anticipated to stabilize supply once completed. However, the Councillor reminded ratepayers that digital transformation and infrastructure repairs are capital-intensive. She urged residents to settle outstanding bills to provide the liquidity necessary for the council to sustain its "world-class city" ambitions for 2026. The procurement of hardware is only the first step. Expert analysts suggest that the true test for Town House will be the successful migration of legacy data into the new ERP and the training of staff to prevent a relapse into manual, opaque processes. Harare City Council ERP system

HARARE  – The Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed the arrest of a Harare woman captured in a viral video assaulting a young boy, in a case that has sparked nationwide outrage. Police identified the suspect as Mercy Kawesa (36), of Overspill, Epworth . Authorities confirmed she is the mother of the child seen in the footage. The arrest follows a public appeal issued earlier this week after the disturbing video circulated widely on social media platforms. In the footage, Kawesa is seen beating the child with a cooking stick before forcing his hands onto an open gas flame, an act that drew strong condemnation from the public and child protection advocates. According to police, Kawesa told investigators she was punishing her son for allegedly stealing items from a local tuck shop. The Zimbabwe Republic Police had earlier warned that the suspect would face the full force of the law once identified and apprehended. “The ZRP has taken note of a disturbing viral video involving a child abuse incident… in which a woman is clearly seen assaulting a minor and forcing the child to touch a blazing gas stove,” police said in their initial statement. “The ZRP assures the public that once the suspect is arrested, she will face the full wrath of the law, including charges of attempted murder.” Legal experts say the severity of the alleged abuse could justify such a charge, depending on medical findings and prosecutorial assessment. “Forcing a child onto an open flame constitutes extreme violence and poses a serious risk to life or permanent injury,” said Harare-based legal analyst Tendai Muchengeti. “That is why attempted murder is being considered.” Child welfare organisations have also condemned the incident, stressing that violence cannot be justified as discipline. “This is a clear case of abuse, not discipline,” said a spokesperson for a local child protection group. “There is an urgent need for awareness on non-violent parenting methods.” Police have not yet disclosed the condition of the child, but indicated that investigations are ongoing. The case highlights growing concerns around child abuse in Zimbabwe, particularly incidents exposed through social media, which often trigger swift law enforcement action. Authorities have urged members of the public to continue reporting abuse cases and to cooperate with law enforcement to protect vulnerable children. Epworth child abuse case; Zimbabwe viral video abuse

Chiredzi South legislator Joel Sithole HARARE  – Chiredzi South legislator Joel Sithole has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of abusing public funds under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). ZACC confirmed the arrest, saying Sithole allegedly misappropriated ZiG1,234,150 (approximately US$50,000) disbursed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe in August 2025. The funds were earmarked for community development projects in Chiredzi South, including the construction of a classroom block and the roofing of staff houses at Gwaseche Primary School and Makanani Clinic. According to investigators, Sithole, who chairs the local CDF committee and is a signatory to its bank account, allegedly diverted the funds shortly after receiving them. ZACC alleges that Sithole, acting in common purpose with an accomplice identified as Edson Chauke, who remains at large, transferred ZiG850,000 from the CDF account to a local wholesaler under the pretext of purchasing groceries. Further investigations reportedly revealed that an additional ZiG418,516 was spent at grocery outlets, hotels, and beer halls. To conceal the alleged misuse of funds, Sithole is said to have later purchased 100 bags of cement and a limited quantity of roofing sheets for another school in an attempt to create the impression that development work had begun. Anti-corruption experts say such cases highlight persistent challenges in monitoring the use of devolved funds. “CDF resources are meant for visible, community-driven projects,” said Harare-based governance analyst Tendai Moyo. “Weak oversight creates opportunities for abuse.” Sithole is expected to appear before the Masvingo Magistrates Court on March 26, 2026, where he will face charges related to criminal abuse of office. The case adds to a growing list of investigations involving the misuse of CDF allocations, which are designed to support grassroots development projects managed by constituency-level committees. Authorities have intensified scrutiny of public officials amid calls for greater accountability and transparency in the handling of taxpayer-funded programmes. Joel Sithole arrest; ZACC CDF corruption case

Information Minister Zhemu Soda By Business Reporter HARARE  – In a direct response to the escalating energy crisis in the Middle East, the Government of Zimbabwe has moved to stabilize the domestic economy by approving "time-bound" fuel tax reductions . The move, announced by Information Minister Zhemu Soda  during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, aims to shield consumers from the inflationary "tsunami" currently hitting the transport and basic commodity sectors. With petrol prices recently peaking at US$2.17 per litre, the Cabinet's intervention comes as a relief to logistics and manufacturing firms. While the specific percentages are yet to be gazetted, Minister Soda confirmed that the review of selected taxes is designed specifically to contain the cost of doing business. “Cabinet considered and approved a review of selected and time-bound fuel taxes in order to contain inflationary pressures and safeguard consumer welfare,” Soda stated. A more controversial pillar of the government’s strategy is the proposal to increase ethanol blending from the current E5 (5% ethanol) back to E20 (20% ethanol) . Local ethanol producers claim that moving to E20 could save motorists approximately 18 cents per litre. However, for the Zimbabwean motoring public, the "math" of ethanol remains a point of deep frustration. The Case Against High-Blend Ethanol: Energy Density: Motorists argue that ethanol contains roughly 30% less energy per gallon than pure gasoline. This results in lower mileage per tank, potentially negating the 18-cent saving at the pump. Corrosive Nature: Mechanical experts warn that high ethanol concentrations are hygroscopic (they attract water) and can be corrosive to rubber seals, gaskets, and fuel lines in older or high-performance engines. "Knocking" Concerns: Many drivers have reported engine "knocking" and reduced performance, fueling a perception that mandatory blending provides a "substandard" product compared to the pure unleaded fuel sold in South Africa or Botswana. The Cabinet's push for E20 also reignites the debate over Zimbabwe's lack of consumer choice. Unlike regional neighbors who offer varying blends (E10 or E85) alongside pure petrol, Zimbabwean stations operate under a mandatory blend regime. "If we are paying US$2.17 for a blend, it should be significantly cheaper than the pure petrol found in the region," noted one Harare-based fleet manager. "Currently, we are paying a premium price for a diluted product." Minister Soda concluded by stating that the government is still "refining the options," with formal price adjustments expected to be announced in the coming days. Zimbabwe fuel tax reduction 2026

Cemetery in Israel reflecting burial activity HARARE  – New claims about the human toll of the ongoing conflict involving Israel have surfaced, with Iran-linked media suggesting significantly higher casualty figures than official reports. The Hebrew-language arm of Tasnim News Agency claims that deaths in Israel have surpassed 1,280, based on an analysis of burial data from multiple cemeteries and emergency response organisations. The report examined activity across major burial sites, including cemeteries in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Petah Tikva, as well as data from Chevra Kadisha, which manage funeral arrangements in Israel. It also reviewed movements of ZAKA , a volunteer organisation that handles the recovery of bodies following fatal incidents. According to the analysis, average daily burials in Israel, estimated at around 150 under normal conditions, have reportedly increased by an additional 61 deaths per day over 21 days. This would suggest a minimum of 1,281 fatalities during that timeframe. The report further cites 703 recorded ZAKA deployments, arguing that the figure supports the higher casualty estimate, as the organisation primarily responds to fatalities rather than injuries. However, these claims have not been independently verified and differ sharply from official figures released by Israeli authorities, which report significantly lower death tolls. Conflict analysts caution that casualty figures in active war zones are often contested and can be influenced by political narratives. “Numbers coming from parties linked to either side of a conflict should be treated with caution until independently verified,” said international security analyst David Klein. “Verification in real time is extremely difficult, especially when access to sites is limited.” The latest claims come amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran and their regional allies, with ongoing strikes across multiple countries raising fears of a wider regional war. Recent violence has impacted not only Israel but also Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East, contributing to rising civilian casualties and displacement . Experts say the true scale of the human toll may only become clear once independent investigations are conducted after the conflict subsides. For now, casualty figures remain disputed, highlighting the challenges of reporting accurately in a rapidly evolving and highly polarised conflict environment. Israel war casualties; Tasnim News Agency report

Learnmore Jonasi performing stand-up comedy HARARE  – US-based Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi has launched a public fundraising appeal after being hit with a US$27 million lawsuit, turning to a GoFundMe campaign to cover mounting legal costs. Jonasi is seeking to raise US$20,000 to fund his legal defence, saying the financial burden of fighting the case is beyond his means. The lawsuit was filed by South African composer Lebohang Morake , popularly known as Lebo M, following remarks Jonasi made on the One54 Africa podcast about the meaning of the iconic Zulu chant “Nants’ingonyama” from The Lion King . Morake accuses Jonasi of misrepresenting the chant’s cultural and artistic significance, arguing that the comments amounted to false claims. In a statement posted on Facebook, Jonasi described the lawsuit as a devastating escalation from what he says was intended as humour. “My name is Learnmore Jonasi, and I am reaching out during one of the most difficult moments in my life,” he wrote. “I was recently hit with a $27 million lawsuit by renowned artist Lebohang Morake (Lebo M) over a joke I made about The Lion King’s  opening Zulu chant.” Jonasi said he never intended to cause harm, but now faces high legal costs. “I am a passionate creator who never intended harm, but I now face overwhelming legal fees just to defend my right to speak and tell jokes,” he said. The comedian is urging supporters to contribute to his crowdfunding campaign, saying all donations will go toward securing legal representation. “Every donation, big or small, will directly go toward my legal representation, so I can fight this unjust claim and protect my livelihood,” he said. The US$20,000 target is aimed at covering initial legal expenses as the case develops. The case has reignited debate around Jonasi’s comedic style, with some critics revisiting past remarks he has made about Zimbabwean culture while living abroad. Despite the backlash, Jonasi has previously indicated he would not apologise for the comments at the centre of the lawsuit, maintaining they were made in jest. Media and legal analysts say the case highlights the growing risks faced by content creators operating across cultural and legal boundaries. “Comedy often pushes limits, but when it intersects with cultural identity and global audiences, the stakes can become significantly higher,” said Harare-based media analyst Tendai Moyo. With a US$27 million claim looming, the case represents a potentially life-altering legal challenge for the comedian. For now, Jonasi’s appeal has placed the dispute firmly in the public spotlight, as supporters and critics alike watch how the case unfolds. Learnmore Jonasi lawsuit