🇧🇼BotswanaSouthern Africa
Zimbabwean politics: the debate on presidential term extension and electoral reform
via Mmegi1 min read
Zimbabwean politics is characterized by a tension between the desire for meaningful change and the expectation that this change will occur rapidly and without friction. This impatience, while understandable, is also seen as dangerous, as historical evidence suggests that change is a process that requires time. The current discussions surrounding the extension of the presidential term and the reform of the electoral system are therefore more than just a political contest; they represent a fundamental design question. This question centers on identifying the type of system that can best enable societal transformation, beyond merely changing leadership. Zimbabwe has encountered similar situations in the past, such as in 2013 when the Movement for Democratic Change sought an election delay through the Southern African Development Community, a move that was rooted in considerations of timing and structural issues.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Mmegi.
Must ReadBotswana is reinforcing its role in the global natural diamond industry, advocating for ethically sourced, development diamonds. At the JCK Show in Las Vegas, an annual gathering for the diamond industry, Botswana's representatives, through the House of Botswana platform, hosted various engagements. These efforts aim to unite the industry around a common strategy for recovery and highlight Botswana's commitment to ethical sourcing.
The Court of Appeal CoA in Botswana has ruled in favor of Nova Africa in the legal dispute over the sale of Mupane Gold Mine, setting aside a High Court interdict previously secured by Ulsan Botswana. The CoA judges criticized Ulsan Botswana, referring to them as a "grumpy loser intent on frustrating the liquidation process." The legal battle began last year after creditors approved the sale of the mine to Nova Africa for $21 million. Ulsan Botswana, a rival bidder, had offered an upfront $500,000 and up to P10 million pending further assessment. Ulsan had secured an interdict in October, citing technical irregularities in the award to Nova. The CoA bench upheld the appeal filed by the liquidator, Kopanang Thekiso, and Nova Africa, and set aside the interim interdict with costs.
Attorney General Dick Bayford has highlighted the increasing financial burden of government litigation, advocating for a shift from reactive dispute management to proactive prevention. Speaking at a workshop on the Public Service Act No. 5 of 2026 and conditions of service, organized by the Directorate of Public Service Management DPSM, Bayford emphasized that the current method of addressing legal issues only after they emerge is unsustainable. He stated that an effective government lawyer is one who prevents disputes from arising, rather than merely winning cases in court, stressing the need to prevent governance failures before they lead to litigation.
Must ReadBotswana is preparing for large-scale Electric Vehicle EV production, targeting next month for the scale-up. This development was announced at the Second Metallurgy Hub Consultative Forum in Selebi-Phikwe. Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Baratiwa Mathoothe, stated that the country has moved beyond planning and is now in the operational execution phase of its electric mobility sector. The government has already installed a Semi Knocked Down assembly plant for electric vehicles, following the launch of pilot vehicles in 2024.