Zimbabwe’s Shrinking Democratic Space: Why I Oppose the Patriotic Act, CAA#3, Abductions and Corruption

By Samuel Jambaya

21^st July 2026

Zimbabwe stands at a critical moment in its history. Ideally, a people who fought hard and made huge sacrifices for freedom should never live in fear of speaking their minds. Yet political repression, abductions, arbitrary arrests, and repressive laws are steadily eroding the country’s democratic values.

Among the laws that I strongly oppose is the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill (commonly referred to as "The Patriotic Act”, which was signed into law by the Zimbabwean President on July 14, 2023. I believe it threatens freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right of every Zimbabwean to participate in democratic debate without fear of punishment. This law discourages citizens, journalists, activists, and opposition members from exercising their constitutional rights and expressing differing political opinions.

I also hate the Constitution Amendment Act #3 (CAA#3), which was signed into law on 7 July 2026. It robs the citizens of their right to vote for the President. It promotes corruption in that a president can easily buy the few hundreds of MPs to get their vote and then preside over a country of more than six million citizens of voting age.

I also hate state-sponsored human rights violations including abductions, torture, murders and enforced disappearances.

Some of the prominent cases are that of Tonderai Ndira, who was abducted and later killed in 2008, Itai Dzamara, who disappeared in 2015 and remains missing, and Tawanda Muchehiwa, who was abducted in 2020 and later released after being tortured. These cases have become symbols for many Zimbabweans who believe justice and accountability remain incomplete.

When citizens live in fear of being abducted, arrested, tortured, killed or intimidated because of their political beliefs, democracy itself is weakened. A government should protect the rights of its people, not create an environment where fear replaces freedom.

Corruption is yet another blight wrought by Emmerson Mnangagwa, his cronies and ZANU-PF. These few people have milked the country to its knees; little wonder they are changing the constitution to lengthen their term of office so that they avoid prosecution whilst they work out how to establish a Mnangagwa dynasty.

We continue to question why allegations raised in the internationally publicised Gold Mafia investigation have not resulted in transparent accountability. The documentary unearthed extensive gold smuggling, money laundering and corruption involving the first family and individuals connected to powerful interests.

The “Gold Mafia” is an example of how Zimbabwe’s natural resources are enriching a privileged few while millions of ordinary citizens struggle with unemployment, poor healthcare, inadequate education, collapsing infrastructure and persistent poverty.

Zimbabwe is richly endowed with gold, diamonds, platinum and other valuable resources. These resources should improve hospitals, schools, roads, clean water supplies and employment opportunities. Instead, many citizens see little benefit while corruption allegations continue to dominate public discussion.

The negative consequences of restrictive laws, political intimidation and unmitigated corruption discourage investment, weaken democratic institutions, reduce public confidence in government, encourage skilled professionals to leave the country and limit citizens’ willingness to participate freely in national affairs.

Zimbabwe deserves better. It deserves leaders who respect the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, investigate corruption without fear or favour, and ensure that national wealth benefits every citizen rather than a privileged minority.

As a Zimbabwean, I believe that patriotism means defending justice, accountability, democracy and the rights of every citizen—not remaining silent in the face of injustice. A prosperous Zimbabwe can only be built on transparency, respect for human rights and equal justice under the law.

About the author: -
Samuel Jambaya is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, and is also active with the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF). He can be contacted via email at jomueljambaya@gmail.com.

 

In the Face of CAA3, We Are Down but Not Out

By Genius Khatazile Mamwadhu

19^th July 2026

As a community of human rights activists representing the ordinary Zimbabwean citizen, we put up a strong and spirited fight against Constitution Amendment Bill # 3 (CAB 3), from the time it was first whispered in ZANU-PF circles to its enactment on 7 July 2026.

It was never going to be easy to prevail against the machinations of a dictator determined to establish a dynasty, shield himself from possible future prosecution for his role in the Gukurahundi genocide, and evade accountability for the many atrocities committed by ZANU-PF and state machinery at his behest over four decades—not to mention the desire to protect what he looted from Zimbabwe’s resources.

Emmerson Mnangagwa deliberately avoided a referendum on a matter of great national importance and has instead forced his way forward, using looted national resources to buy the support of Members of Parliament.

He has also bought off most social influencers and anyone he believed might stand in his way as he marches toward crowning himself the “King of Zimbabwe.”

He also deployed State machinery to crush dissent. The CIO ensured that attempts to mobilise against CAB 3 were suppressed, and leading voices were hounded into silence. Some were abducted and tortured, some were incarcerated, and others were driven into exile.

The police stood ready with baton sticks and tear gas, while army tanks were visibly positioned to send a clear warning: citizens should think twice before taking to the streets.

The memories of the killings of unarmed protesters in January and August 2018 remain fresh, and the sight of army tanks stationed in strategic positions across the country is deterrent enough.

We must therefore acknowledge that we lost this battle, and that is deeply painful.

However, we will continue to fight the Mnangagwa regime until we overturn CAA 3 and all the unjust, repressive laws the regime has enacted.

We are back to the drawing board.

We are down, but not out.

About the author: -
Genius Khatazile Mamwadhu is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) and is also active with the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF). He can be contacted via email at mamwadhukhatazile@gmail.com.

The Constitution Was Meant to Protect Zimbabweans—Not Those in Power

Why Constitution Amendment No. 3 Is a Threat to Democracy

By Rumbidzai Thelma Chidewu

13^th July 2026

A constitution is the supreme law of a nation. It exists to protect the rights of citizens, limit the abuse of power, and ensure that governments remain accountable to the people. When constitutional changes appear to serve the interests of those in power rather than the nation, every citizen has a duty to ask difficult questions.

The enactment of Constitution Amendment Act No. 3 has become one of the most controversial political developments in Zimbabwe's recent history. Many Zimbabweans believe the amendment weakens democratic governance and shifts the Constitution away from its intended purpose of protecting the people.

On 10 July 2026, Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom and democracy activists gathered outside the Zimbabwe Embassy to peacefully protest the signing of the amendment into law. Their message was clear: the Constitution belongs to the people, not to any political party or individual.

Many citizens believe the amendment offers little hope for ordinary Zimbabweans who continue to face economic hardship, unemployment, failing public services, and rising poverty. Instead, critics argue that the changes strengthen political power while doing little to improve the daily lives of the people.

The process leading to the amendment has also raised serious concerns. Opposition parties, civic organisations, and democracy advocates have alleged that intimidation, political pressure, and inducements were used to secure support for the Bill. Allegations that some public officials and Members of Parliament received financial rewards or vehicles have been widely reported in political debate, although these claims remain contested and have not been conclusively established by the courts.

Equally worrying is the growing fear among many Zimbabweans of speaking openly about political issues. Reports of arrests, abductions, and the prosecution of government critics have created an atmosphere in which many people feel that expressing a different opinion comes with serious personal risk. Democracy cannot flourish where fear replaces freedom.

The protest at the Zimbabwe Embassy was not driven by hatred or division. It was an expression of love for Zimbabwe and a desire to see a nation governed by the rule of law, constitutionalism, and respect for the will of the people.

As democracy activists, we cannot remain silent when we believe the Constitution is being used to consolidate political power rather than protect the rights of citizens. Peaceful protest is not a crime. Speaking out against injustice is not an act of disloyalty. It is the responsibility of every citizen who believes in democracy.

Zimbabwe deserves leaders who place the interests of the people above political survival. The country's future should be determined by its citizens through free, fair, and democratic processes—not through constitutional changes that many believe undermine the spirit of the 2013 Constitution.

Our call remains firm and peaceful:
No to Constitutional Amendment No. 3.
No to extending political power through constitutional manipulation.
No to fear, intimidation, and the silencing of citizens.

Yes to democracy.
Yes to constitutionalism.

Yes to a Zimbabwe where every citizen can speak freely, participate without fear, and determine the future of their nation.

History will remember those who defended democracy when it was under threat. May we all have the courage to stand on the right side of history.

About the author
Rumbidzai Thelma Chidewu is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is in the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.  She can be contacted by email at rumbidzaithelmazhanje@gmail.com 

ZIMBABWE EMBASSY CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT ACT#3 DEMONSTRATION – FRIDAY 10.07.2026

Tuesday 13th July 2026

ROHR Zimbabwe, in collaboration with ZHRO and CDF, participated in a demonstration organised by
CDF to coincide with the “Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum” held at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Friday, 10 July 2026.

The purpose of the demonstration was to ensure that forum participants were made aware of the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe, including concerns relating to poor governance, the erosion of the rule of law, policy inconsistency, corruption, and the broader economic decline.

We sought to inform members of the international community, particularly potential investors, of the risks associated with investing in Zimbabwe. These include an unpredictable policy environment and the absence of effective legal recourse in instances where investments may be undermined or expropriated, exacerbated by concerns over judicial independence.

The demonstration also highlighted the recent enactment of Constitution Amendment Act No. 3 (Act No. 6 of 2026), which was a significant erosion of citizens’ rights to universal suffrage and indicative of a shift towards entrenched executive power and a step towards the establishment of a Mnangagwa dynasty.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to continue opposing this constitutional amendment and to advocate for the restoration of diaspora voting rights.

During the demonstration, a small group identifying themselves as “Children of War Veterans,” aligned with ZANU-PF, attempted to counter the protest at the embassy entrance. However, their efforts were overshadowed by the significantly larger presence of demonstrators, and they subsequently withdrew into the embassy premises.

Following the successful delivery of our message, the demonstration concluded peacefully after 20:00 hrs.

For pictures and videos taken at the demonstration please follow this link.