WATCH LIVE: Chiwenga Skips Ivory Coast Trip

Zimbabwe/AfricaRice: VP Constantino Chiwenga skipped the Nov 4–6, 2026 AfricaRice conference in Abidjan and sent Minister Vangelis Haritatos instead. Chiwenga announced Zimbabwe’s intention to move from observer to full AfricaRice membership, citing a rice production gap: 300,000 tonnes consumed annually vs. only ~2,900 tonnes produced locally.

Collins Mnangagwa mine violence: At Chenxi Mine Site Four in Shurugwi, a violent clash left 1 dead, 3 injured, and 5 excavators burned. The mine is linked to President Mnangagwa’s son Collins.

Chatunga Mugabe arrest: A ZACC/CIO officer, Lloyd Mupanduki, is allegedly behind the arrest. The dispute reportedly began over drunken urination at Bells, escalated to a gun being drawn, and ended with security beating him; it was not about cars.

Other news: Chief Chireya case held under heavy security; a stolen Honda Fit was rented with fake ID and its tracker disabled, last traced to Mutare; South Africa election results expected; Makhadzi allowed to leave Botswana; Namibia inaugurated its first government-owned air ambulance.

US politics timeline: The notes trace shifts between unified and divided government from 2009 to 2026, ending with Democrats flipping both House and Senate in the 2026 midterms to check President Trump.