Watch LIVE as Gambakwe unpacks the latest events in Zimbabwe today
Colonel Miniyothabo “Minnie” Baloyi, the wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has reportedly been removed from her post in the Zimbabwe National Army’s military intelligence department and reassigned to the Commander’s Pool, a unit where officers are placed without specific duties.
According to veteran journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, the move happened last week, with some sources claiming she is being victimised while others say the reassignment allows her flexibility to travel with the vice president without affecting intelligence operations.
Mnangagwa has started hunting for Zimbabwean Journalist Blessed Mhlanga after he fled the country. Mhlanga recently made a powerful speech in Geneva and was set to appear in court yesterday. After he was warned that he would be charged under the Patriot Act, Mhlanga did not go to court.
Journalist Blessed Mhlanga has reportedly fled Zimbabwe to escape prosecution under the Patriot Act following his participation in the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on 17 February 2026. After delivering a speech detailing state-sponsored violence and the weaponization of the law, the Mnangagwa administration labeled his testimony “malicious.” Facing public threats that he would be stripped of his citizenship and charged with unpatriotic conduct, Mhlanga did not attend his scheduled court hearing on 9 March 2026, leading to fears of an active state-led manhunt.
- 17 February 2026: Mhlanga addresses the Geneva Summit, exposing his prior 75-day detention and criticizing the Zimbabwean government.
- Late February 2026: Information Minister Zhemu Soda and MP Sengezo Tshabangu threaten legal retaliation and the revocation of Mhlanga’s travel documents.
- 9 March 2026: Mhlanga avoids a mandatory court appearance in Harare, citing credible warnings of an imminent arrest under the Patriot Act.
- Current Status: Human rights organizations have called for international intervention as Mhlanga remains in hiding or exile to avoid political persecution.
Key Events For Today
- Trump has a call with Putin. Putin wanted to discuss war in Iran. Trump says the war might be over even by this week as the leadership has been wiped out. Cuba is willing to negotiate and JD Vance was not enthusiastic about going.
- KZN Floods death toll reaches 5
Top Trending News
- Musa Nyasha Dube Manyika (41), a former business development manager at Old Mutual, was sentenced on March 9, 2026, to 15 years in prison for two counts of raping a 24-year-old University of Zimbabwe student who was both an intern and a scholarship recipient. The initial assault occurred in November 2022 at Old Mutual Gardens after Manyika lured the victim under the guise of assisting with promotional banners, subsequently threatening to terminate her scholarship if she reported the incident. A second assault took place on June 19, 2024, when Manyika diverted his vehicle to Belfast Road after meeting the student to supposedly discuss her career. Following a full trial where evidence included videos extracted from his mobile phone, Harare regional magistrate Estere Chivasa found him guilty on March 6, 2026, leading to his final sentencing three days later.
- Popular TikToker Kissmore Soko (real name Princess Phiri) was arrested on Saturday, 7 March 2026, following reports to the Zimbabwe Republic Police regarding a viral video posted on 4 March 2026. In the video, the 25-year-old content creator allegedly used vulgar language to insult socialite Zodwa Mkandla and issued physical threats against Mkandla’s child. During her initial appearance at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 9 March 2026, Phiri formally pleaded guilty to charges of cyberbullying and harassment. She has been remanded in custody until Wednesday, 11 March 2026, for the official recording of her plea and further legal proceedings.
- The High Court has ordered the seizure of property belonging to former CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere to recover US$33,395 in legal costs owed to Youth Minister Tinoda Machakaire. The costs arise from a legal dispute over Mahere’s July 2025 social media posts questioning Machakaire’s alleged involvement in a US$8 million tax evasion case and the source of his wealth.
Business
- Santam and Avi results.
- The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has recalled two specific baby formula products—Nutricia Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 and Nutricia Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 (both 800g)—after manufacturer Nutricia Southern Africa identified that a raw material used in the affected batches may contain traces of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. The recall affects 2,989 units distributed nationally to retailers like Dis-Chem and Clicks since August 2025, and were also exported to Botswana and Namibia. The affected batches have expiry dates of September 11, 2026, and December 9, 2026.
Africa
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has dismissed over 50 officials for corruption, including offenses such as allowing illegal entry and selling fraudulent visa-day extensions. Commissioner Dr. Michael Masiapito announced the dismissals as part of a broader anti-corruption drive, highlighting a new proactive campaign launched at the Maseru Bridge port of entry. This initiative, part of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, involves collaboration with the SIU, Home Affairs, and the NPA. The BMA is also implementing preventative measures like body cameras, new tamper-proof immigration stamps, and confidential whistleblower hotlines to combat unethical conduct among its 2,600 staff members.
Community
Mve two for one promotion
Notes
September–October 2025: Minnie Chiwenga actively rebranded VP Chiwenga’s image amid succession tensions and shared his anti-corruption messages, seen by some as indirect criticism of the Mnangagwa administration.
Late 2025–Early 2026: Reports alleged Minnie held secret meetings with senior army officers to build her own “command team,” framed in some circles as factional maneuvering or coup-related plotting.
February–March 2026: Temba Mliswa publicly accused “Mama Minnie” of spying, running a parallel army structure, causing intelligence leaks, and undermining rivals, including links to his own arrest.
February–March 2026: Viral claims spread of a “Minnie Baloyi coup plot,” widely regarded by some sources as a smear campaign targeting her and VP Chiwenga.
Early March 2026: ZDF removed Minnie from her Military Intelligence Directorate role (after ~6 years) and reassigned her to the non-operational “Commander’s Pool,” officially for routine rotation.
Early March 2026: Speculation linked the reassignment to leak concerns, factionalism, or Mliswa’s accusations; she downplayed it dismissively (e.g., “Venezuela is far from Zimbabwe”).
