WATCH LIVE: Zimbabwe Military Deployed In Mutare

Police and military raid illegal gold mining site

A joint team of the army, police, and prison services carried out a raid to stop illegal gold mining that was damaging a river and polluting water sources.

Who fled: Several Chinese nationals running large-scale operations ran into the mountains to avoid arrest.

What was left behind: Heavy machinery, including 12 excavators, wash plants, generators, pumps, and tools.

Items seized:

• 12 excavators, wash plants, generators

• 11 shovels, 3 mattocks, 14 water pumps, gas blowers, hammers

• Large amounts of liquor (Chibuku Supa, whiskey, cane spirit) from unlicensed shops near the mines

Arrests:

• Two security guards and one general worker from Yung Tech (Pvt) Ltd

• Eight others for trespassing at Chikanga Farm

All were taken to ZRP Penhalonga police station.

Why it matters: Mining continued despite a government ban. Local residents and environmentalists say it threatens drinking water and destroys the Mutare River.

Key events today

• Matabele Global Day of Prayer takes place today.

Top trending news

Football: Zimbabwe faces Nigeria on 26 May 2026 at 19:30 (London time) in the Unity Cup semi-final. The match is at The Valley stadium. Nigeria vs Zimbabwe kicks off the tournament; Jamaica plays India on 27 May; final is 30 May.

Chief Mapungwana burial:

• Body is at Chipinge District Hospital mortuary.

• Burial: Wednesday 29 April 2026, Chagonda Village, Mt Selinda, Chipinge.

• Date set by family, government, and traditional leaders.

Business

• Zambia National Shelter Limited opens in Kafue: “Build a strong house in just 3 days.”

• South Africa starts a program to locally produce electric vehicles.

Africa

Edgar Lungu body dispute (Zambia):

• Postmortem done.

• On 22 April, Zambian government took the body from a private mortuary in Pretoria to a state facility, planning repatriation.

• Hours later, a court ordered it returned to the private mortuary.

• The private mortuary refuses to take it back because the body is now in state custody.

• Family says the body’s location is unknown; government says it has it.

• No repatriation yet. Court hearing set for 21 May.

Notes timeline

• 25 Aug 2025: Court order for Lungu’s repatriation (family says it lapsed by April 2026).

• 22 April 2026 (day): South African police and Zambian officials take body from Two Mountains Funeral Services without family present.

• 22 April (18:30): Body arrives at Tshwane Forensic Pathology Service. Officials open postmortem docket, falsely citing “suspected poisoning” reported by a “family member.”

• 22 April (22:00–23:00): Family obtains court order to return body to private mortuary.

• 23 April (08:30–14:00): Postmortem done anyway, defying court order.

• 23 April (~21:40): Body released to family after lawyers intervene.

• 24 April: Family issues press statement.