Zimbabwe doctors defy government ultimatum to resume work

Zimbabwe enters another lockdown as coronavirus numbers spike. Despite calls for people to avoid large gatherings, worryingly large crowds build up at the border with South Africa.

Zimbabwe's transport and foreign ministers have both succumbed to the disease within less than two days of each other. Four ministers have died so far, with several more reportedly fighting for their lives in hospital.

Zimbabwe's Vice President Kembo Mohadi resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations. Local news outlets have been notified of phone recordings allegedly of Mohadi soliciting sex from women, including a subordinate in his office. Meanwhile in Nigeria, families face an anxious wait ahead as Zamfara state officials say they are negotiating with the kidnappers of 317 schoolgirls. And rights activists in Morocco are encouraging women to talk to organisations to break the silence and raise awareness about sexual violence and domestic abuse in the country.

South Africa's COVID-19 infection rates have remained low in the run-up to Easter, but fears of a third wave are mounting. Meanwhile, Africa's top health official has sounded alarm bells over a new Tanzanian variant.

Buyers and sellers gather on the trading floor in Zimbabwe's capital to bid on bales of dried tobacco leaves as the marketing season kicks off. According to the industry regulator, the country is on track to produce 200,000 tonnes of tobacco this year, up from 184,000 in 2020.

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Intensive care doctors are stepping up the pressure: During the current third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, ICUs are filling fast. Is Germany's health system stretched to its limits?

Resident doctors are threatening to resume their suspended strike in one month should the government fail to implement the latest memorandum of action to the latter.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has pledged that the demands of the resident doctors will be included in the supplementary budget.

A team of medics including Alexei Navalny's personal doctor, Anastasia Vasilyeva, are denied access to a penal colony hospital where the Russian opposition figure is being treated. Navalny, 44, launched a hunger strike on March 31 and his medical team has warned that his health is failing rapidly.

If Navalny perseveres with his hunger strike he will die, doctors have warned. Meanwhile, the opposition leader has been brought up to speed with the protests across Russia, which have filled him with "hope."

Zimbabwean street vendor Spiwe Tembo illegally sells bread buns in the capital Harare to feed her three children... and gets arrested again and again. The government banned street vendors as part of restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But Tembo, and many others like her, have no other way to survive.