WATCH LIVE: Mnangagwa Makes More Military Changes

Two Zimbabwe National Army colonels, Chakaipa Mukuna and Gladys Machinga, were promoted to Brigadier General at a ceremony in Harare.

Mob violence in South Africa:

• A foreign national was assaulted by protesters in Durban CBD on Wednesday 21 Oct; police rescued him.

• On Thursday 22 Oct, another foreign national was beaten by about 50 people on Dr Pixley kaSeme Street and declared dead at the scene.

• Police treated these as separate cases; five men aged 19–46 were later taken for questioning.

Key events today:

• Zimbabwe National Journalism Awards held in Zimbabwe.

• Mudenda met ZANU-PF members in the UK.

Top trending in Zimbabwe:

• Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri consoled the Guvamatanga family after the death of Sekuru Thomas Guvamatanga, father of Finance Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga.

• Denzel Tadiwa Maveve reportedly went into hiding after allegations that he blackmailed his fiancée Melissa “Mello” Mutunzi and her mother, businesswoman Zodwa Mkandla.

• ZANU-PF rally MC and teacher David “DJ” Masomere survived a road accident on Thursday night, 22 Oct 2026, without serious injuries.

• Reverend Loice Betty Machiwenyika Jr was celebrated for her historic ordination as the first woman reverend in the AME Church in Manicaland and the youngest reverend in the North East Zimbabwe Conference.

South Africa / Sassa scandal:

• Sassa CEO Themba Matlou is accused of approving a R30-million communications tender (2025–2028) meant to influence journalists and suppress negative reporting about him.

• Invoices reportedly show R29 million spent in the first year.

• Communications chief Paseka Letsatsi allegedly organised media briefings, including at luxury hotels, to build relationships with journalists.

• Matlou’s appointment is alleged to be part of irregular patronage linked to former Minister Sisisi Toloshe.

• Toloshe was dismissed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2026 amid scandals including nepotism claims and hiring a state-paid food aide for domestic duties.

• Matlou allegedly took control of Bid Evaluation Committee appointments and improperly stored bid documents to leak information to preferred bidders.

• Sources allege kickbacks and questionable withdrawals by communications companies; R670,590.50 was allegedly spent on luxury hotel accommodation for director Sand Godlwana.

• Despite a 2023 Public Protector report finding irregularities costing Sassa R278 million, no accountability measures have materialised.

• Former communications director Lumka Oliphant was fired in October 2025 for allegedly leaking information; the Bargaining Council later ruled her dismissal unfair and ordered her reinstatement with R1.53 million back pay on 1 November 2026.