Zimbabwe Roundup: President to meet Belarus’ Lukashenko, bilateral talks with Putin, rise in Malaria
Belarus and Zimbabwe presidents to hold talks on bilateral cooperation and investment projects
On May 14, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko will meet with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who arrived in Belarus on May 11 for a working visit, according to Belarusian media reports. The talks will focus on bilateral cooperation and the progress of current and future projects in trade, economy, and investment. President Mnangagwa is also scheduled to visit several enterprises and key locations in Belarus.
Iran and Zimbabwe to hold 9th joint economic commission meeting in Tehran
On the occasion of Zimbabwe’s National Day, Iranian Minister of Labour Meydari announced that the 9th interim meeting of the Iran-Zimbabwe Joint Economic Commission will be held in Tehran to enhance bilateral cooperation. He noted that ongoing coordination by the Iranian and Zimbabwean embassies is expected to facilitate the implementation of existing memoranda of understanding. Meydari congratulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the people of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwean ambassador to Tehran on the country’s 45th independence anniversary.
Zimbabwean ministers offer conflicting views on state of public healthcare system
Zimbabwean officials maintain that the country’s public healthcare system is functioning adequately, despite public complaints and critical reports from non-governmental organisations. Deputy Health Minister Sleiman Kwidini told parliament that citizens are satisfied with services, claiming improvements have been ongoing since 2018. His remarks followed a public appeal by Youth Minister Tinomuda Machakaire, who used social media to urge President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and address what he described as a deteriorating healthcare system. The contrasting statements have sparked national discussion over the government’s awareness of on-the-ground conditions in public health facilities.
Putin holds bilateral talks with African leaders following Victory Day Parade
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was part of several international figures present in Moscow during the May 9 Victory Day Parade. China's Xi Jinping, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré were some of the notable figures hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to reports, Putin held bilateral discussions with President Mnangagwa and also discussed economic, security, and political cooperation with Burkina Faso’s President Traoré.
Malaria cases in Zimbabwe rise by 180% in early 2025
The Zimbabwean government has reported a 180% increase in malaria cases during the first 17 weeks of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, rising from 21,309 to 59,647 cases. Malaria-related deaths also rose by 218%, from 45 to 143, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The ministry cited environmental and behavioural factors as key drivers. Increased rainfall, humidity, and temperatures have created ideal mosquito breeding conditions. Simultaneously, greater participation in outdoor activities such as artisanal mining, farming, tobacco curing, and cross-border trading—often during mosquito-active hours—has heightened exposure.
