Abuse of power in Zimbabwe

The government of Zimbabwe is increasingly accused of using its judiciary to silence dissidents and suppress freedom of expression.

Activists and civil society organizations are subjected to a relentless barrage of arrests, detentions and harassment, often on dubious charges or without clear evidence. This pattern of intimidation has a chilling effect on public discourse and hampers the country's democratic development.

One of the most common tactics used by the Zimbabwean government to suppress dissent is the arbitrary arrest of activists.

These arrests often take place without clear legal justification and the individuals concerned are detained for long periods of time without access to legal counsel or due process. In many cases, the charges against them are either unfounded or have been fabricated to justify their detention.

The context of oppression in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's political landscape is marred by a history of human rights abuses, particularly during Robert Mugabe's long rule.

The change of power under President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2017 was initially associated with hopes for reforms. Instead, it led to a continuation – and in some cases even an escalation – of repressive measures against dissent.

The government uses a range of tactics, including arbitrary arrests, harassment and intimidation, to suppress freedom of expression and stifle activism.

The cycle of arrest and release

The Zimbabwean government's modus operandi often includes arresting activists, subjecting them to various forms of abuse, and then releasing them when the authorities consider that they have suffered enough.

This tactic serves several purposes: it instills fear in the activist community, it disrupts the momentum of social movements, and it allows the government to maintain the appearance of legality while simultaneously disregarding the rule of law.

The well-documented case of Promise Mkwananzi, a vocal government critic, illustrates this cycle.

After his arrest during an anti-government demonstration in 2021, Mkwananzi was held for weeks without trial.

His release came only after widespread media coverage and public outcry, highlighting the government's reliance on intimidation to silence dissent.

Such cases show how the state uses its power to create an environment in which fear triumphs over freedom.

Another activist, Job Sikhala, an opposition politician, returned home two months ago after spending over four months outside the country seeking medical attention.

Sikhala went abroad after spending 595 days in custody. He was arrested on suspicion of inciting public violence in connection with the murder of opposition activist Moreblessing Ali in May 2022.

Sikhala was arrested while representing the family of the late Citizens Coalition for Change activist Moreblessing Ali, who was murdered in cold blood by Pius Mukandi alias ‘Jamba’, a suspected member of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Another activist who has experienced similar treatment is Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of the Transform Zimbabwe party.

Ngarivhume has been arrested and detained several times for organizing peaceful protests against the government.

His case underscores the government's intolerance of dissent, even when expressed through legal means.

Around June this year, police in Harare arrested the interim chairman of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Jameson Timba, and 70 other activists on suspicion of holding an illegal political gathering.

According to reports, the CCC activists gathered in front of Timba's residence without permission.

According to reports, the activists allegedly resisted arrest and threw stones at them, which led to violent clashes in which several CCC members were injured.

Nyathi confirmed the arrests and said the operation was launched following a tip-off.

The ruling Zanu-PF also said last month that the arrested opposition leaders, activists and human rights defenders might now be released following the smooth conduct of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit.

Since 16 June, more than 160 opposition activists and human rights defenders have been arrested and denied bail in the run-up to the SADC summit.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, Zanu-PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa downplayed the arrests and detentions, saying they were a precautionary measure to ensure the smooth running of the regional meeting.

“Now that the summit is over and has been a success, those detained as a preventive measure can be released. The most important aspect of a country is order,” he said.

In a surprising turn of events, over a dozen activists were released on bail from prison in recent days after spending several weeks in pre-trial detention on charges of planning anti-government protests before and during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit held in Mount Hampden in August.

The release of the activists came barely a month after Zanu-PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa said there was no reason to continue detaining the activists following the summit at which President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over as chairman of the regional bloc.

In addition, the Supreme Court this week granted bail of US$150 each to activists Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi, who were remanded in custody for 35 days.

In Zimbabwe, the government must take concrete steps to address the problem of human rights violations.

This includes reforming the justice system to ensure that arrests are made only for legitimate reasons, that detainees are given access to legal counsel and that allegations of torture and ill-treatment are investigated.

In addition, the government should engage in constructive dialogue with civil society organizations to promote respect for human rights and foster a culture of tolerance.

The international community also has a role to play in resolving the situation in Zimbabwe. Human rights organisations, diplomats and governments should put pressure on the Zimbabwean government to respect the rights of its citizens.

Sanctions and other forms of diplomatic pressure may be necessary to force the government to change its behavior.

In conclusion, the Zimbabwean government’s abuse of power to suppress freedom of expression is a cause for serious concern.

The repeated arrests and detentions of activists and journalists had a chilling effect on public discourse and undermined the country's democratic development.

It is imperative that the government takes steps to resolve this issue and respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.

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Gary Gerald Mtombeni is a journalist based in Harare. He writes here in his personal name. For feedback, email [email protected]/ or call +263778861608