Unlawful Arrests of Activists in Zimbabwe: A Brazen Assault on Human Rights by the Mnangagwa Regime – by Sakhile Ncube

14^th August, 2024

Zimbabwe has witnessed an alarming escalation in the unlawful arrests of citizens who criticise the way the country is being run. Over 100 innocent citizens, mainly members of opposition and human rights activists have been arrested, abducted, tortured and imprisoned in the past few months. These arrests and abductions have been at the behest of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and coordinated by state agencies and the ruling ZANU-PF functionaries.

Most of the arrests and abductions were related to lawful gatherings and based on fabricated charges to silence dissent. The Mnangagwa-led government has intensified its crackdown, targeting anyone who dares to challenge its authority or calls for change.         

The latest wave of repression began roughly two months ago, but it is part of a broader pattern of authoritarianism that has characterised the Mnangagwa regime since its inception. This period has seen an intensification of efforts to quash opposition in the lead-up to the 2024 SADC Summit, which Zimbabwe is set to host on August 17.

The recent arrests and abductions of activists include “ the Avondale 78”, Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi, Robson Chere, and Vusumuzi Moyo. Among those detained are a mother with her 1-year-old baby and another mother whose son died whilst she was in remand prison and was denied bail to go mourn and bury her child. These are heart-wrenching illustrations of the regime’s complete disregard for basic human decency and international law.

However, this pattern of political violence and repression is not new. The abduction and arrests of prominent figures like Gandhi Mudzingwa, Kisimusi Dhlamini, Andrison Manyere, and Jestina Mukoko—a well-known Zimbabwean human rights activist and director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project—marked some of the earlier signs of ZANU-PF led government’s ruthlessness. Jestina Mukoko, who is also a journalist and former newsreader with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, was a notable victim of this repression.

Another deeply troubling incident occurred on March 9, 2015, when Itai Dzamara, a prominent activist and journalist, was abducted in Harare. His disappearance garnered significant international attention and concern, shining a spotlight on the severe issues of repression in Zimbabwe. Dzamara’s case, along with many others, underscores the persistent and escalating nature of political violence under the ZANU-PF regime, which has continued to grow more brazen in its tactics.

The deployment of the army and police ahead of the 2024 SADC Summit further reflects an atmosphere of fear and repression in the country.  These recent events are part of a broader campaign to intimidate the population and stifle peaceful protest or opposition. The unjust detention of activists, journalists, and even innocent bystanders under false pretences is a direct violation of Zimbabwean citizens’ constitutional rights, particularly Section 58, which guarantees freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protest.

The ZANU-PF regime, under the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa, bears full responsibility for these egregious violations of human rights. Since coming to power, Mnangagwa has presided over a government that systematically undermines democratic principles and has turned the state apparatus into a tool for repression. The regime’s actions are not only unconstitutional but also constitute crimes under international law, as they involve the illegal detention, torture, and harassment of innocent citizens.

These arrests and abuses are taking place across Zimbabwe, affecting urban centres like Harare and Bulawayo, as well as rural areas where activists have been organising against the government. The regime’s reach is extensive, and its crackdown has permeated every corner of the country, leaving no safe space for those who seek to express dissent or advocate for change.

The root cause of this crackdown lies in the ZANU-PF regime’s desperation to maintain its grip on power amidst growing public dissatisfaction and calls for political reform. The Mnangagwa administration is acutely aware of the increasing discontent among Zimbabweans, who have been subjected to years of economic mismanagement, corruption, and political repression. The unlawful arrests are a clear attempt to silence these voices and prevent the mobilisation of any movement that could threaten the regime’s hold on power. Through increasingly autocratic measures and strategic placements of loyalists in key positions, Emmerson Mnangagwa appears determined to consolidate power and extend his rule in Zimbabwe well beyond 2030, seeking to entrench his regime’s influence for decades to come.

Unfortunately, the response from regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been disappointingly muted. Despite Zimbabwe’s gross human rights violations, the SADC committee has largely turned a blind eye to the suffering of Zimbabwean citizens, opting instead to maintain a stance of non-interference This inaction has emboldened the Mnangagwa regime to continue its oppressive tactics with impunity.

The international community, particularly human rights organisations and foreign governments must take a stronger stance against the Zimbabwean government’s blatant disregard for the rule of law. The failure to hold Mnangagwa and his regime accountable not only undermines the credibility of regional and international bodies but also allows the continued suffering of Zimbabwe’s population.

In recent years, Zimbabwe has seen an exodus of citizens fleeing the country to escape the abductions, abuse, and torture that have become commonplace under the ZANU-PF regime. The deterioration of public services, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools, starkly contrasts with the luxurious lifestyles of government officials, who frequently seek medical treatment abroad at the expense of the suffering masses back home.

This ongoing crisis demands urgent attention and action. The people of Zimbabwe deserve to live in a country where their rights are respected and their voices are heard. The international community must no longer stand idly by as the Mnangagwa regime continues to trample on the fundamental freedoms of its citizens.

#ZanuPFMustGo 
#FreeAllPoliticalActivists 
#StopViolationOfHumanRights

About the author
Sakhile Ncube is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is a Committee Member in the Executive Committee of the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She can be contacted by email at jsakhile@yahoo.com