As we wrap up the week, here are the top stories from Africa. A tragic incident unfolded as a woman lost her life in an elephant attack during a safari in Zambia, shedding light on the dangers of wildlife encounters.
Meanwhile, Nigerian music sensation Davido seeks legal action over a misguided April Fool’s prank, emphasizing the consequences of spreading misinformation. In South Africa, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape emerge as hotspots for corruption, underscoring ongoing challenges in governance and accountability.
Additionally, Zimbabwe’s declaration of a state of disaster due to drought underscores the pressing environmental concerns facing the region. These stories highlight the diverse issues and events shaping Africa’s landscape, urging attention and action towards addressing critical issues and fostering positive change.
WOMAN KILLED IN ELEPHANT ATTACK WHILE ON SAFARI IN ZAMBIA
An elderly American woman tragically lost her life in Zambia on Saturday morning at Kafue National Park when an “aggressive” elephant attacked the vehicle she was in during a game drive.
The tour operator, Wilderness, stated on Tuesday that an “aggressive” elephant hit the vehicle, which was carrying six tourists and a guide, during a game drive in western Zambia, tragically resulting in the death of an 80-year-old victim.
As captured in a circulating video on social media, the incident depicts a large elephant charging towards a car, prompting the vehicle to slow down as it approaches. Subsequently, the elephant forcefully flips the car over, causing audible gasps from the passengers as the vehicle rolls over.
Wilderness, the company operating the safari, said that an American tourist had been killed in the attack and that another female guest had been seriously injured, and subsequently flown to a hospital.
Additionally, four other guests from the safari were treated on-site for minor injuries and received trauma counseling.
Wilderness CEO, Keith Vincent, shed light on this tragic incident
“The six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant.”
He added that the safari guide’s vehicle was “blocked” by the terrain at the time of the attack.
“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” Vincent said.
BOTSWANA THREATENS TO SEND 20,000 ELEPHANTS TO GERMANY
Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany amidst a conservation disagreement.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi expressed frustration over proposals in Berlin to limit the import of hunting trophies, suggesting Germans should experience living alongside elephants themselves. Masisi cited an increase in the elephant population in Botswana, referring to it as a “plague,” the BBC reports.
Germans should “live together with the animals, in the way you are trying to tell us to”, Mr Masisi told German newspaper Bild. “This is no joke.”
Botswana accommodates over 130,000 elephants, which is about one-third of the global population, surpassing its available habitat.
“We would like to offer such a gift to Germany,” Masisi said, adding that he would “not take no for an answer”.
The president argued that herds of elephants are causing property damage, eating crops, and trampling residents, claiming that a ban on the import of hunting trophies would exacerbate the problem and impoverish Botswanans.
DAVIDO TO SUE OVER BACKFIRED APRIL FOOL PRANK
In response to an April Foolโs prank gone wrong, Nigerian music sensation Davido has taken legal action by instructing his lawyers to pursue legal action, following a false story circulating (published by Kenyaโs Mediamaxโs K24 TV) alleging that the singer was arrested in Kenya after cocaine was purportedly discovered on his private jet.
Davido took to social media to respond, sayingย the fake report was “extremely irresponsible”.
“I find the fabrication of allegations of such international crimes extremely irresponsible regardless of the light of *April Fools’, and my lawyer is seeking legal recourse against the media parties responsible for generating this misinfor- mation,” he said in a statement on social media.
He further stated that he assures his fans that these reports are entirely untrue.
“I successfully completed my scheduled shows in Uganda and Kenya and have since re- turned home to Nigeria.”
The Afrobeats superstar has demanded that Kenyaโs Mediamaxโs K24 TV issue an apology within 48 hours, accept responsibility for defaming him, and provide suitable compensation for his legal expenses, or else face legal action.
See the full statement below:
GAUTENG, KZN, WESTERN CAPE AMONG CORRUPTION HOTSPOTS IN SOUTH AFRICAโREPORT

Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, along with the Free State, are identified as the focal points for corruption in South Africa, as revealed in the recent Corruption Watch report titled “Changing the Landscape,” released on Wednesday.
Corruption Watch works to uncover and fight corruption in South Africa by investigating complaints from the public and holding those responsible accountable, and the anti-corruption non-profit has so far received over 46,900 complaints since 2012.
The report outlines that in 2023, the most common types of corruption reported nationally were:
- Maladministration [34%]
- Fraud [21%]
- Employment irregularities [16%]
- Bribery/extortion [15%]
- and procurement Irregularities [13%] were the most common types of corruption reported nationally in 2023.
Provincially, Gauteng had the highest level of corruption complaints at 37%, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 19%, the Free State at 10%, and the Western Cape at 9%.
CW stated that these four provinces, collectively responsible for 75% of reports, are “all considered to be hotspots for monitoring corruption.”
ZIMBABWE DECLARES STATE OF DISASTER DUE TO DROUGHT
Following Zambia’s recent declaration of a drought disaster in 23 districts, Zimbabwe has now followed suit, declaring a state of disaster due to an El Nino-induced drought that threatens food security in the country.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the devastating news on Wednesday during a State of the Nation address at the State House in Harare, the capital.
“The current agricultural season of 2023/2024 has not performed according to expectations due to the El Nino-induced drought. As a result, more than 80 percent of our country received below-normal rainfall,” said Mnangagwa.
He added, “By this declaration, I also call upon all Zimbabweans of goodwill, including those in the diaspora, the international community, United Nations agencies, development and humanitarian partners, international financial institutions, the private sector, churches and other faith-based organizations, as well as individuals, to generously donate towards ameliorating this state of national disaster.”
The president stated that Zimbabwe needs over 2 billion U.S. dollars for various response interventions, despite planting 1,728,897 hectares of maize and other cereals, which was expected to yield a bountiful harvest.
“We expect 868,273 metric tonnes from this season’s harvest, hence our nation faces a food cereal deficit of nearly 680,000 metric tonnes of grain,” he said. “This deficit will be bridged by imports.”
“Top of our priority is securing food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean must succumb to, or die from, hunger,” Mnangagwa said.
KENYA WEATHER AGENCY WARNS OF HEAVY RAINS, SEVERE FLOODING IN APRIL-MAY
In a statement, the department highlighted the weather outlook from April 2nd to April 8th, 2024, indicating widespread rainfall across the country, particularly heavy downpours expected in Central Highlands, Western Kenya, Rift Valley, Southeast lowlands, Coast, Northeast, and Northwest regions.
Citizens are urged to stay prepared for potential flooding in these areas.
Meanwhile, residents of Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale counties in Kenya have been urged to ensure they stay well-hydrated by taking necessary precautions.
In these areas, daytime temperatures are expected to rise above 30ยฐC, with nighttime temperatures remaining high, particularly in coastal and northeastern regions, exceeding 25ยฐC.
32 DEATHS REPORTED DURING EASTER HOLIDAY IN ZAMBIA
At least 32 lives were reported lost in road traffic accidents during this year’s Easter Holiday in Zambia, according to the police.
During the highlighted period, Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga reported 338 road traffic accidents, out of which 24 were fatal and 26 were classified as serious, resulting in 59 individuals sustaining serious injuries.
According to Hamoonga, there were 78 slight road traffic accidents during the period, resulting in 91 individuals sustaining minor injuries, indicating an increase in accidents compared to the 2023 Easter Holiday, which saw 208 road traffic accidents and 24 fatalities.
UGANDA COURT MAINTAINS ANTI-LGBTQ LAW

On Wednesday, Uganda’s Constitutional Court largely supported the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which pertains to specific same-sex behaviors, emphasizing its alignment with the country’s values and Constitution.
This law imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment and the death penalty, on those involved in certain same-sex acts.
The judges decided to remove Sections 3 (2) C, 9, 11 (2)d, and 14 from the law because they didn’t follow Uganda’s Constitution.
These sections were deemed to infringe upon the rights of homosexuals, specifically their rights to health, privacy, and freedom of religion.
Deputy Chief Justice, for the panel of five justices, ruled against fully canceling the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 and declined to permanently stop its enforcement.
“We decline to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in its entirety, neither do we grant a permanent injunction against its enforcement,” ruled Buteera.
“We however declare that Section 3 (2)C, 9, 11 (2)d and 14 of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 violate the right health, privacy and freedom to religion, which rights are respectively recognised in the universal declaration. This petition substantially fails with the following orders: Sections 3 (2)C, 9, 11 (2) d and 14 of the Anti-Homosexuality Act are hereby struck down. Each party bears its own costs. It’s so ordered,” she added.
The highest court scheduled December 11 to review four petitions questioning the legality of the Anti-Homosexuality Law passed in May 2023.
PRASA RESUMES 5 METRORAIL SERVICES IN GAUTENG, KZN, AND CAPE TOWN
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has effectively reinstated five vital Metrorail services in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
The service was reinstated at the end of March 2024, covering crucial routes such as:
- Cape Town to Stellenbosch in the Western Cape
- Merebank to Chatsglen in KwaZulu-Natal
- Johannesburg to Florida
- Johannesburg to Nancefield
- and Germiston to Elsburg, all located in Gauteng.
โWe have successfully brought 31 of our 40 lines back into partial operation and are focused on achieving full operational status for these corridors, with work to extend the abovementioned lines continuing. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to revitalising passenger rail services, providing an efficient and cost-effective public transport option for South Africans.
“Significant progress is being made on the Central Line, with ongoing efforts to rehabilitate rail infrastructure from Phillippi to Nolungile and onwards to Chris Hani. This work has been facilitated by the temporary relocation of 891 households from the Phillippi station area, enabling us to proceed with necessary recovery work,โ PRASA said on Wednesday.
SARS COLLECTS R2.155 TRILLION IN TAXES
During the 2023โ24 financial year, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) gathered a total tax revenue of R2.155 trillion.
During a media briefing regarding the initial revenue results for the 2023โ24 financial year, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter stated that the collected amount aligns with the adjusted estimate, indicating 4.2% year-on-year growth compared to the 4.9% nominal gross domestic product (GDP).
โNet revenue, which is the revenue after refunds have been paid to tax payers amounts to R1.741 trillion, which exceeds the revised estimate set by the Minister of Finance by some R10 billion, representing a year on year growth of 3.2% (or R54.2billion) more than last year.
โThis revenue performance translates to a tax-to-GDP ratio of 24.7% and a provisional tax buoyance ratio of 0.9% at gross level and 0.7% at net revenues,โ Kieswetter said.
The revenue service refunded taxpayers with R414 billion, marking a 6% year-on-year growth, the highest quantum of refunds in SARS history, up by R33 billion from the previous year, with VAT refunds totaling R343 billion, showing a 7.5% growth from the prior year.
REMA, AND AYRA STARR, ADEKUNLE GOLD TO HEADLINE 2024 AFRO NATION DETROIT
African music superstars Rema, Ayra Starr, Adekunle Gold, and Uncle Waffles are set to headline the upcoming Afro Nation Detroit event, scheduled for August 17th and 18th, 2024, at Bedrock’s Douglass site (Michigan).
Other performers announced so far include PartyNextDoor, Kash Doll, Amaarae, Scorpion Kings, King Promise, Ruger, Musa Keys, DBN Gogo, Kelvin Momo, TxC, 2woBunnies, and DJ Moma.
More performers are set to be announced at a later date.
Tickets for Afro Nation Detroit are. now available for purchase via detroit.afronation.com.
NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES HIKE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFFS
NERC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, has announced a sudden increase in electricity tariffs starting from Wednesday, April 3.
The Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, disclosed this during a press conference held in Abuja on the same day.
Customers will now be required to pay N225 per kilowatt-hour, compared to the previous rate of N66.
According to Oseni, the increased rate will apply specifically to consumers who make up 15% of the population but use 40% of the country’s electricity.
โWe currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 percent now qualify as Band-A feeders. These feeders only service 15 percent of total electricity customers connected to the feeders.
โThe commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour.โ
TINUBU SIGNS STUDENTS LOAN AMENDMENT BILL INTO LAW

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.
This bill replaces the former law of 2023 and establishes the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
This law will enable Nigerian students in colleges and universities to obtain affordable loans for their tuition fees and other educational expenses.
The executive bill is titled โA Bill for an Act to repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 and Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2004 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a body corporate to receive, manage and invest funds to provide loans to Nigerians for higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition and for related matters was signed at the State House in the Presence of the leadership of the National Assembly, Ministers and Major Stakeholders of Educationโ.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for swiftly considering the legislation, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to enhancing the skill levels of Nigerians.
โI have just signed a bill proclaiming the student loan effectively. First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectivelyโ, said Tinubu.
โWe are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.
โWe are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children drop out of colleges and given up the opportunity.
โThat is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.โ
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