The U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, announced a pause on all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services, effective 7 August 2025, citing concerns over visa overstays (10.57% for B1/B2 visa holders, approximately 709 individuals) and non-cooperation on immigration matters by the Zimbabwean government. This suspension affects most visa categories, including tourist, student, business, and immigrant visas, but diplomatic and official visas are largely exempt. Applicants with scheduled visa interviews will receive information on rescheduling once services resume, though no timeline for resumption has been provided. The U.S. Embassy advises applicants to monitor their website (zw.usembassy.gov) or contact consularharare@state.gov for updates. Emergency American Citizen Services remain unaffected. This move follows a broader U.S. policy shift, including a pilot program requiring visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to post bonds of up to $15,000 to deter overstays, suggesting potential future measures for Zimbabwean applicants. For those with urgent travel needs, contacting the embassy via email for expedited appointment requests (with supporting documentation like I-20 or DS-2019 forms for students) is an option, though approvals are not guaranteed.
Please Watch The Video Above This Post For More Details
Key Events
1. Lungu Judgement on 8 August
2. 9 August 2025 is Women’s day.
Top Trending Stories
1. Natalie Mhandu, a Zimbabwean socialite known as “Enchantress appeared in court,” was accused of bewitching two former friends, including a woman named Tatenda Butau, through alleged witchcraft rituals. The Maid, Elizabeth Mharire found snuff on her bed that had been sprinkled by Natalie in her absence. The rituals was performed at Churu farm in Glenview. Natalie wrote various names on a paper (Mwarianesu, Amanda, Ishmael and Tariro Maumbe) and wrapped them around a red cloth and sprinkled snuff before burying the the things into the ground with the big knife facing downwards (Bakatwa).
2. Zimbabweans using their properties to get loans.
3. Zimbabwe Diamonds Company faces closure as operations have stopped and employees have not been paid. The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is facing severe financial and operational challenges, including a 74% drop in global diamond prices since 2020, leading to the retrenchment of approximately 400 workers in 2025 to avoid collapse. The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has a joint venture (JV) partner with Alrosa, a Russian state-owned diamond mining company. This partnership, established in July 2019, focuses on the exploration, extraction, and marketing of diamonds in Zimbabwe, particularly for greenfield projects involving kimberlite deposits in regions like Mwenezi and Chimanimani. Alrosa holds a 70% stake in any new greenfield deposits discovered under this agreement, with ZCDC retaining the remaining share.
Business
1. Hopewell Chin’ono loses R1,5 Million to a South African Maid. Painters arrested after they rip out Solar system.
2. Zikimall.com is an online platform operating as Zimbabwe’s digital marketplace, owned by CBZ Bank Limited. It serves as a comprehensive e-commerce and service hub, offering a range of products and services including money transfers, bill payments, shopping, and professional services across sectors like agriculture, automotive, electronics, construction, health, and property. The platform, which includes subdomains like shop.zikimall.com and services.zikimall.com, allows merchants to sell goods and services, with transactions facilitated by CBZ Bank, though the bank does not endorse or guarantee the products sold.
Africa
1. On 6 August 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, but no specific outcomes or announcements were publicly disclosed from this conversation. According to posts on X, there was frustration expressed by some South Africans, noting that while other countries secured exemptions for key industries following similar calls, South Africa did not announce any concrete trade or political deals. Ramaphosa’s office emphasized ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S., advocating for an approach based on mutual respect and benefit, particularly in response to the U.S. imposing a 30% tariff on South African imports. However, no official statement detailed specific agreements or resolutions from the call itself, suggesting discussions may have been inconclusive or preparatory for future engagements, such as the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, which Ramaphosa has urged Trump to attend.
2. South Africa proposes a minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy for alcohol in South Africa.
3. Loyiso Masuku is expected to contest Dada Morero for the position of ANC regional chairperson in Johannesburg at the regional elective conference, scheduled for September 2025. This follows reports of Masuku gaining significant support, with sources indicating that 70% of ANC branches had nominated her compared to 30% for Morero as of July 2025. The conference will determine the ANC’s regional leadership, and Masuku’s challenge is seen as a significant push, partly due to her being a female candidate, amid criticisms of Morero’s administrative performance.
Community
1. Mve two for one promotion
2. Mve Detox Promotion
Notes
Ghana Helicopter crash
President John Mahama had originally been scheduled to attend the event, but instead delegated the ministers to represent him due to a concurrent occasion.
The deceased included:
Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, a key figure in countering jihadist threats along Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso. He previously served as Communications Minister and was set to release a book on former President John Atta Mills.
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, who led efforts against illegal gold mining (galamsey), a practice causing environmental devastation.
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Agriculture.
Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Samuel Aboagye, NADMO Deputy Director-General and former parliamentary candidate.
Military crew: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mannin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
