Zimbabwe’s Fight for Democracy: The People vs. Tyranny

4th April 2025

The people of Zimbabwe—the workers, students, journalists, activists, and everyday citizens—are being crushed under the weight of a brutal and corrupt regime led by Emmerson Mnangagwa. For decades, we have endured abductions, torture, economic sabotage, and silence enforced at gunpoint. As a human rights activist, I, Memory Kishindo, will not be silent. Our voices will rise, and we will not be intimidated into silence.

Zimbabwe is bleeding. Our hospitals have become death traps. Our schools are falling apart. Our youth are fleeing the country in desperation, while the elite dine in mansions and fly in private jets. What kind of country jails its citizens for demanding better? What kind of leadership kills to stay in power?

We remember 2008, when opposition supporters were hunted down, tortured, and murdered for daring to dream of change. That election was stolen with blood. We remember 2018, when Mnangagwa's army opened fire on civilians in broad daylight, killing six innocent souls during protests. Promises of justice were made, but none delivered. No soldier has been held accountable. Not one.

Today, nothing has changed—if anything, it’s worse. In February 2025, investigative journalist Blessed Mhlanga was arrested for doing what every ethical journalist should do: telling the truth. His crime? Conducting interviews with a war veteran who spoke out against the regime and reporting the reality of what many Zimbabweans endure. He now faces baseless charges under laws meant to silence dissent and protect the powerful. Like so many before him, he has become a target for simply refusing to be silent.

Zimbabwe has become a land where speaking the truth is a death sentence, where protesting for basic rights earns you a prison cell—or worse. Our people are starving, our dreams shattered, and yet the regime celebrates fake victories and stolen elections.

But we are not giving up. We are not turning back. The time to act is now. Every day we wait, more of us are lost to this tyranny. We have waited long enough. It is time to rise, to organize, to shout louder than ever before. The regime fears unity, it fears truth, and most of all—it fears a people who are no longer afraid.

We want a Zimbabwe where we can speak freely, live with dignity, and raise our children in peace. We want leaders who serve, not steal. We want freedom—not in slogans, but in reality.

The world must know: Zimbabwe is not free. But we will fight until it is.

About The Author: 

Memory Kishindo is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is a member of The UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She is also a member of CCC UK. She can be contacted by email at kishindomemory51@gmail.com

Joint Press Release – meeting with FCDO – London 20.03.2025

Written by: Diaspora Collaborative Statement by ROHR Zimbabwe, ZHRO, MyRight2Vote, ZAPU & CCC

####-- Collaborative Press Release 

20^th March 2025 3:30pm

Thursday, 20th March 2025, our ‘diaspora collaborative group’ held a face-to-face meeting with three important members of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, (FCDO) at their offices in King Charles Street, London: SW1A 2AH. We were also unexpectedly joined by British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Peter Vowles, who devoted 15 minutes from his busy schedule to be with us in the meeting.

There will be further joint statements about this welcome development very shortly.

Initiated by the FCDO, in requesting such an event, their initiative was as a result of a subtle change in focus by FCDO plus the 12 joint petitions delivered to the PM and the FCDO by our ‘diaspora collective group’ over the last 30 months. Summarised at the web link below;

Web Link to Petition Summary: 30-months-of-petitions

MyR2Vote/Z-DC.com {Zimbabwe Diaspora Coalition} was represented by Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni; ROHR Zimbabwe were represented by Panyika Karimanzira (ROHR Zimbabwe Spokesperson) and Renee Brenda Langa (UK Chapter Deputy Information & Publicity Secretary), ZHRO was represented by John Burke (Founder) and Rashiwe Bayisayi, ZAPU was represented by Christopher Maphosa (PEC Europe Province Chairperson), Cannicious Nkala (Admin Sec. Europe) and Mlindelwa Vundhla (NPC Europe Chair) and with CCC Southend-on -Sea represented by Tatenda Changambika (standing in for Stanford Biti).

Ends --###

Vision 2030 - Mnangagwa’s Grand Lie to Keep Zimbabwe in Chains - by Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu

9^th March 2025

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his ZANU-PF government want Zimbabweans to believe in Vision 2030—a so-called master plan to turn the country into an upper-middle-income economy. But let’s not be fooled. This is nothing more than a carefully packaged lie designed to keep them in power while the nation sinks deeper into poverty, corruption, and repression.

Mnangagwa and his cronies in ZANU-PF have spent decades looting Zimbabwe’s wealth, rigging elections, and silencing anyone who dares to demand justice. They don’t care about Vision 2030. They care about staying in control, growing their offshore bank accounts, and crushing any opposition that threatens their grip on power. Until they are held accountable, Vision 2030 will never be anything more than a propaganda tool to distract the suffering masses.

ZANU-PF’s Corruption is Destroying Zimbabwe

Mnangagwa’s government is bleeding Zimbabwe dry. The country loses over $1.8 billion every year to corruption, yet schools and hospitals are collapsing. Roads are in ruins. Millions struggle to afford food. Meanwhile, ZANU-PF elites live in luxury, buying mansions in Dubai and South Africa while ordinary citizens are crushed by unemployment and hyperinflation.

Contracts for public infrastructure projects are handed out to Mnangagwa’s allies, with no accountability or transparency. The so-called mega deals he boasts about? They only benefit those at the top while Zimbabweans are left to suffer. His government does not work for the people—it works for a corrupt cartel that treats Zimbabwe like its personal piggy bank.

A Lawless Regime Built on Violence and Fear

Under Mnangagwa’s rule, Zimbabwe has become a lawless state where power, not justice, determines who is free and who is jailed.

·        Opposition figures are beaten, arrested, or even disappeared for speaking out.

·        Elections are rigged through intimidation, vote-buying, and suppression of independent observers.

·        The courts serve ZANU-PF, not the people, ensuring that Mnangagwa and his allies never face accountability.

·        Journalists and activists who expose corruption are harassed, jailed, or forced into exile.

ZANU-PF is not a government—it is a criminal organization that uses the state to brutalize its own people. How can Zimbabwe develop when its own leaders are the biggest enemies of progress?

The Economic Collapse Under Mnangagwa

Mnangagwa inherited a collapsed economy from Robert Mugabe, but instead of fixing it, he made it worse. His government prints money, causing inflation to skyrocket and wiping out people’s savings. Basic goods are priced in US dollars, but workers earn worthless Zimbabwean salaries.

He promised jobs. Instead, youth unemployment is at an all-time high, and thousands of Zimbabweans are fleeing to South Africa, Botswana, and the UK for survival. Vision 2030 is meaningless when the people of Zimbabwe are too hungry to think about the future.

Mnangagwa Will Never Fix Zimbabwe—The People Must Demand Change

For Zimbabwe to move forward, Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF must go. Their time is up. The people must rise and demand:

1.      An End to Corruption – Arrest and prosecute Mnangagwa’s corrupt allies and recover stolen wealth.

2.      Free and Fair Elections – Scrap the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and establish an independent electoral body.

3.      Justice for the Oppressed – Release political prisoners, end persecution of activists, and ensure an independent judiciary.

4.      Economic Reform – Restore property rights, attract real investment, and support local businesses instead of feeding ZANU-PF’s cartel.

 The Time for Lies is Over

Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF have failed Zimbabwe. They are parasites feeding off the suffering of the people. Vision 2030 is not a roadmap to prosperity—it is a smokescreen designed to buy them more time in power.

Zimbabweans must wake up. The future will not be handed to us—it must be taken. Until we demand real change, Vision 2030 will remain nothing more than Mnangagwa’s cruel joke, a deception to keep Zimbabweans hoping for a future that will never come under ZANU-PF rule.

About the author
Michelle Mpofu is a UK-based Zimbabwean human rights activist. She is the Secretary for Information & Publicity for the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe and Treasurer for the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She can be contacted by email at michellempofu11@gmail.com OR michelle.mpofu@rohr-zimbabwe.org 

RESIST THE 2030 POWER GRAB - by Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu

By Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu 

9th February, 2025

In late 2024, Zimbabwe faced a profound constitutional crisis as President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa sought to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit, aiming to remain in power until 2030. This move starkly contravenes the nation's constitution, which unequivocally restricts any individual to a maximum of two five-year terms as president. The populace had anticipated the conclusion of Mnangagwa's rule in 2028, placing their faith in constitutional governance. However, it appears that the current administration is intent on manipulating the law to serve its own avaricious ambitions.

Mnangagwa's political trajectory is deeply entwined with the malfeasance within ZANU-PF. Serving as a close advisor to Robert Mugabe, he held various influential positions, including roles in foreign affairs, trade and commerce, judiciary services, and the secret service. The latter was notoriously employed to suppress dissent, leading to widespread human rights abuses. From the 1980s to the present, political violence has been a grim constant, with countless individuals subjected to torture, disfigurement, and extrajudicial killings.

This pervasive climate of fear and repression has compelled hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans to flee their homeland, seeking refuge from persecution and potential death. For many, this marks the beginning of an interminable suffering, rendering the prospect of returning to the land they once cherished increasingly remote.

As a former regional board member of ZimRights in Bulawayo, I have tirelessly advocated for justice and an end to political violence and inhumane treatment of regime opponents. This activism has made me a target of the ZANU-PF government, extinguishing any hope I might have had of returning to Zimbabwe.

Beyond the political turmoil, the nation's public services have deteriorated precipitously under ZANU-PF's misrule. The healthcare system is virtually non-existent, a dire situation exacerbated by the cessation of life-saving medications previously supplied by USAID. Basic services such as electricity, water, and transportation have become increasingly unreliable, with conditions worsening daily. How much longer will this regime be permitted to decimate the remnants of Zimbabwe's infrastructure and social services?

The current administration stands accused of:

1. Distorting the constitution to benefit a select few and entrench a counter-revolutionary cabal.
2. Exploiting the national treasury for personal enrichment, indulging in extravagant spending and opulent lifestyles.
3. Neglecting the masses while enriching a minority at the majority's expense.
4. Allowing hospitals to operate without essential drugs, causing widespread suffering.
5. Failing to provide education for children due to pervasive poverty.
6. Illicitly transferring funds to hidden foreign accounts, leaving the majority in abject poverty.

It is imperative to address these egregious violations of constitutional rights and shield the nation from this corrupt and ruthless cabal. Leveraging Zimbabwe's 62 mineral resources holds the potential to transform the country into an upper-income nation.

NO TO THE ZANU-PF REGIME'S 2030 AGENDA

The proposed extension of President Mnangagwa's term not only subverts the constitution but also undermines the democratic aspirations of the Zimbabwean people. This blatant power grab must be resolutely opposed to preserve the nation's democratic integrity and ensure a prosperous future for all citizens.

About the author 

Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is a member of The UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She is also a member of CCC UK and a former Bulawayo regional board member of ZimRights. She can be contacted by email at evangenoe@gmail.com

Hope in the Face of Oppression in Zimbabwe - by Renee Brenda Langa

By Renee Brenda Langa

5th January 2025

“Usarega kunyengetera ndidzoke kumba.”

“Jongwe zvorokukuridza mudiwa muka. Ndoringe nzira ndoyambukira mhiri kwehova, tarira ndokunoenda vamwe, ndokunoenda vamwe. Hongu, kure kwegava usipo mutsvubvu. Usarega kunyengetera ndidzoke kumba.”

In my view, the song “Ndinouya” by Gwevedzi resonates deeply with the experiences of Zimbabweans enduring the oppressive realities of life under the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ZANU-PF regime. The crow of the rooster, traditionally symbolising the start of a new day, becomes a call for awakening and hope amid hardship. The poignant line “Ndoringe nzira, ndoyambukira mhiri kwehova” evokes a deep longing and an unrelenting search for freedom—an echo of the struggles of those in detention, in exile, or simply striving for better prospects in their homeland.

These evocative lyrics encapsulate the emotional turmoil felt by many forced to flee Zimbabwe due to political instability, economic collapse, and systemic human rights abuses. They reflect the painful reality of activists and families awaiting justice and restoration in a fractured nation.

Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, the hope for progress that briefly followed Robert Mugabe’s rule has largely faded. The 2018 elections were marred by allegations of rigging and violence against opposition supporters, signalling a continuation of oppressive governance. In the years since, political repression has worsened, with arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, and abductions of activists becoming distressingly common. The disappearance of Itai Dzamara in 2015 remains a harrowing reminder of the regime’s disregard for dissent and human rights.

Particularly alarming is the plight of the detained. As of June 2024, 78 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members remain imprisoned without bail, accused of participating in an “illegal gathering.” Their continued detention illustrates the state’s use of the judiciary as a tool of repression. Amnesty International, ROHR Zimbabwe, and other human rights organisations have condemned these abuses and urged immediate investigations into reports of torture, as well as the release of these political prisoners.

For those driven into exile, the song’s imagery of gazing across distant horizons symbolises enduring hope for the day they might return to a free and just Zimbabwe. Their struggle is shared by those still within the country, living under a government that continues to prioritise power at the expense of its citizens’ welfare. Under Mnangagwa’s regime, economic instability has deepened, corruption has worsened, and poverty has become more widespread, forcing millions to leave in search of safety and opportunity.

In this climate, the rooster’s crow takes on new meaning—not just as a call to rise, but as a reminder that true change often emerges in the darkest hour before dawn. It becomes a symbol of resilience and the collective yearning for justice, accountability, and renewal.

Zimbabwe’s future hinges on both external advocacy and the courage of its citizens to demand reform. As Christians, we are called to pray fervently for the nation’s freedom and restoration. This includes praying for the detained, the displaced, and the persecuted, trusting that God’s justice will prevail. Yet, prayer must be coupled with action—raising awareness, lobbying international bodies, and holding leaders accountable for their actions.

As the rooster crows each morning, it serves as a reminder of God’s promise to bring light into darkness. For Zimbabweans at home and abroad, this is a time to press on, to speak out against oppression, and to hold fast to the hope that one day the chains of injustice will be broken and freedom will reign in the land.

#FreedomForAll
#TinodaRunyararo
#WeWantPeace

NB: The video accompanying this article can also be viewed on YouTube via the following link;-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4ogxo5BjzM

About the author
Renee Brenda Langa is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is the Deputy Secretary for Information & Publicity for the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe and Secretary for Information & Publicity for the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.  She can be contacted by email at reneelanga378@gmail.com OR renee.langa@rohr-zimbabwe.org