Based on the available news snippets from August, September, and early October 2025, here are some of the key and “viral” or widely reported news and developments in Zimbabwe:
Political, Economic, and Policy News:
- National AI Policy Launch: Zimbabwe planned to launch its National AI Policy by October 1, 2025, with the goal of boosting digital sovereignty, local data storage, and AI-driven growth across various sectors.
- Economic Freedom Ranking: Zimbabwe was highlighted as one of the continent’s least economically free countries, ranking low (164th globally) in the Fraser Institute’s “Economic Freedom of the World 2025” report, released in September.
- ZiG Currency and IMF: The IMF reportedly urged for greater clarity regarding the plan for Zimbabwe’s currency (ZiG), noting that confidence and circulation remained low in early October.
- Heroes’ Day/Defence Forces Day: The annual Heroes’ Day and Defence Forces Day celebrations took place on August 11th and 12th, with the President urging national development support in honor of the liberation struggle heroes.
- High-Profile Arrest: Robert Mugabe Jr., the son of the former president, was arrested in Harare on October 1, 2025, for possessing cannabis, which was widely reported.
- T20 World Cup Qualification: Zimbabwe (along with Namibia) qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 finals in India and Sri Lanka.
Food Security and Agriculture:
- Favorable Season: A likely favorable rainy season was predicted for October 2025 to March 2026, creating the potential for a consecutive second productive agricultural season.
- Increased Market Dependence: While the 2025 harvest supported food access, it was reported in September that poor households in deficit-producing areas were beginning to deplete their own-produced stocks and increase reliance on markets.
- High Yields: The tobacco marketing season ended with a record 353 million kilograms sold, earning $1.2 billion USD.
Viral and Unique Stories:
- Hyena Interrupts Dinner: A story about a hyena interrupting a boma dinner in Zimbabwe went viral in early October.
- Mutare Man Rapes Chicken: A very unusual and widely circulated story about a Mutare man who reportedly “raped a chicken to death” was reported in early October.
Other Notable Developments:
- US Visa Suspension: The United States had previously suspended the processing of most regular visa applications from Zimbabwe in August 2025, amid efforts against irregular migration.
- Infrastructure and Investment: News surfaced of Zimbabwe seeking private investment to modernize its power grid and local council efforts (like Mutare) seeking loans for infrastructure upgrades.