Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation

From Colonisation to Dictatorship

Details: Written by: Charles Kanyimo; Published: 07 February 2025; Last Updated: 07 February 2025; Hits: 1206

C Kanyimo ZIMBABWE finds itself at yet another critical crossroads. See Article on Newsday {Click Here} Check Out Charles Kanyimo on Twitter/X

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is manoeuvring to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional limit, aiming to remain in power until 2030. With a big portion of his own party against it, this move echoes the failed attempt by Grace Mugabe to seize control prior to the 2017 military intervention. Just as Grace’s ambitions caused political instability, Mnangagwa’s efforts risk further destabilising both ZANU-PF and the country, reigniting fears of authoritarian rule. {see additional Articles - CLICK HERE}

Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, the government is attempting to override the country’s constitution, which was carefully crafted to ensure peaceful political transitions. This bold, audacious push is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law, further entrenching corruption and misrule. For a nation already grappling with economic collapse, hyperinflation, and widespread poverty, this move is a betrayal of the hopes Zimbabweans had for a brighter future. {in addition ZAPU President M S Nkomo has made his Party's Position clear in their article and a Press Conference CLICK HERE to read}

Prominent journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono has been one of the loudest voices condemning this unconstitutional effort. He has called the plan “a clear assault on the democratic aspirations of Zimbabweans,” describing Mnangagwa’s government as;

“a personal fiefdom, ruled by a corrupt mafia.”

These charges are not unfounded. Under Mnangagwa’s rule, Zimbabwe’s government has become synonymous with looting, nepotism, and harsh repression. The president and his inner circle—his family included—have enriched themselves by plundering the nation’s resources, while ordinary Zimbabweans struggle daily. The push to amend the constitution is not about governance or national stability, but rather about consolidating power and continuing the systematic looting of the country’s wealth.

When Mnangagwa took power in 2017 after the coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, many Zimbabweans were hopeful. They believed a new era of reform, economic revival, and democracy had arrived. But nearly eight years into his presidency, it is clear that Mnangagwa’s government is no different—if not worse—than the one it replaced.

The 2013 constitution, which was adopted following a national referendum, represents one of Zimbabwe’s most significant democratic milestones. It limits the presidency to two five-year terms, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. Yet, Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule until 2030 would turn the constitution into an instrument of oppression, instead of a safeguard of democracy.

Justice for a Genocide

Details: Written by: M S Nkomo, Chief F Ndiweni and J C Burke; Published: 06 December 2024; Last Updated: 06 December 2024; Hits: 1413

Thursday, Genocide Petition to the Prime Minister!

On 5^th December 2024 we congregated outside the newly "secured" Zimbabwe Embassy - they have got some grim looking metal security gated fabrications at the side and front entrances - to make the Embassy even less friendly or appealing to the Zimbabwean Diaspora - security concerns or Guilt? - we have to ask why these new gates - {photo on Flickr - click to see for yourself SIDE DOOR - 429 CORNER DOOR }.

True to form the guilty inside locked their doors - simply as we were there. Indeed they sent out a CIO to sit in his new BMW X6 to "observe us" - so we took their photos too - again on our Flickr Album of the day. {CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DAYS PHOTO ALBUM} Please note that due to technical constraints, the videos recorded today will take some considerable time to be 'compressed' in order to be displayed upon our Flickr Platform - so expect videos to be appearing by the weekend please.

We took some more photos with our "Zanu PF Must Go" banner and by 13:30 we sidled off towards Trafalgar Square and onto Whitehall. by 13:45 we were arranged opposite Downing Street - under the gaze of "Monty" at his commemorative statue. By the time we have said our hellos to the new supporters opposite Downing Street it was time to present our band of 6 petitioners to the Diplomatic Police Unit in control of Downing Street. Ronald T Mutumbi, was due to be the Organiser of the 6 of us today - but had unexpected problems with travel on the day - such a pity.

So we 6 lined up at the solid security gates {making the Zimbabwean Embassy gates looking a little flimsy!} at the entrance to Downing Street. Our Police Diplomatic Unit Escort - was a friendly as any tourist guide - calling us in by our first names! As some may know within those gates we have to go through Air Port Quality X-Ray machines to check all our bags, mobile phones or any metal objects.

Liberation was Hijacked

Details: Written by: TENDAI RUBEN MBOFANA; Published: 12 November 2024; Last Updated: 12 November 2024; Hits: 1868

The greatest tragedy to Zimbabwe was the hijacking of its liberation struggle

Yesterday, I received a heart-wrenching message from a former combatant of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, now residing in South Africa. His words, laced with pain and disillusionment, will forever resonate with me. In his message, he recounted the harrowing experiences he and his fellow freedom fighters endured during the war, a period marked by immense trauma and sacrifice. Yet, despite the bloodshed, the suffering, and the unyielding hope for a better future, the independence that came in 1980 did not deliver the freedom or the prosperity he and so many others had envisioned.

Instead, it brought an economic and political system that seemed to intensify their hardships. For millions of Zimbabweans, including this former combatant, the post-independence era only marked a deepening of poverty and despair, culminating in his decision to leave the country in search of a better life abroad. In his final words, he asked a question that brought tears to my eyes: “Why did we go to war, and why did thousands lose their lives?”

His message struck at the heart of Zimbabwe’s greatest tragedy—one that has yet to be adequately addressed in our national discourse. Another painful reminder of this betrayal comes from the account of a different war veteran whose life I am currently documenting in a book. His story, which spans from his early years before the war, through his experiences during the liberation struggle, and into the harsh realities of post-independence Zimbabwe, paints the same tragic picture. Like many others, he joined the fight with hopes of a new, just society—one where the fruits of independence would be shared by all.

Yet, upon returning to Zimbabwe after the war, he found himself trapped in a system that prioritized the enrichment of a small political elite while the vast majority, including veterans like himself, were left to struggle. His dreams, like those of so many others, were crushed by the very government he helped to bring to power, leaving him with a deep sense of betrayal. He, too, ended up leaving the country he fought for in search of a better life.

The liberation struggle was hijacked by those who were supposed to lead the country towards a more just and equitable society.

Instead of empowering the masses, the independence movement was usurped by a small, self-interested elite whose primary goal was not freedom for all, but power and control over the nation’s wealth. This elite, driven by personal ambition rather than a genuine desire for social transformation, has systematically enriched themselves at the expense of the very people who fought to secure the country’s freedom. The liberation struggle, which should have been about the collective liberation of all Zimbabweans, has instead become a bitter reminder of the betrayal of the ideals it was meant to represent.

Ghost of Zimbabwean Gold

Details: Written by: John Burke and Several Twitter Posts; Published: 10 April 2024; Last Updated: 17 November 2024; Hits: 1371

Ghost Vault Gold _ Steve Hanke What is ZiG? According to the new 'clown' {oops, Governor} of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe [RBZ] it, {Zimbabwe Gold - and other Reserves(?) in "support"} has been shoe-horned into Zimbabwe to replace the previous failed currency and currencies "initiatives". The Previous iteration was launched in an equally exciting fanfare at a claimed exchange rate of 1Zim$ to 1 USD, yes One-to-One! On the black market recently, it was trading around 40-45,000 Zim$ to 1USD and in supermarkets at 25,000:1. So an utter failure with the added {bonus} for Zanu PF looters/plunders/thieves that it has stolen the USD wealth of the Nation in exchange for literally worthless 'paper'.

Whilst Bloomberg has reported "success" and commentaries welcomed it {??? how}

Others have cried "Scam" or worse; see below

5th April 2024: Steve Hanke on Twitter/X: ""ZIM's latest financial gamble: ANOTHER "currency" backed by gold tokens, scheduled to be launched late this week. The tokens aren't convertible into gold or gold coins. It looks like another ZIM financial scam. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gov. John Mushayavanhu = CLUELESS, CROOK, OR BOTH?""

9th April 2024: Steve Hanke on Twitter/X: ""Zimbabwe has introduced a new currency – the ZiG – the 6th in TEN YEARS. The ZiG is supposed to be backed by gold. BUT WHERE’S THE GOLD? Where there’s a ZiG, there’s a ZAG.""

10th April 2024: Dr Walter Mzembi {Ex Zimbabwe Minister} on Twitter/X: ""ZiG exemptions for some sectors are an indictment . Its a cousin currency of the Bond , RTGS as long as it can't buy fuel . Secondly the decision to exempt fuel sector reeks of conflict of interest, where the elite want to save their businesses from collapse but are prepared out of their own decisions to see everything else in Commerce collapse.
Why did you launch this currency then if you didn't have your act together?""

9th April 2024: ZBC News Online {Regime captured News Channel} on Twitter/X: ""ZiG currency will not be weakened by any form of manipulation," says RBZ governor, as illegal forex traders "spend days basking in the sun...""

9th April 2024: ZHRO on Twitter/X in Reply to @ZBCNewsonline: ""On the contrary ZiG is itself “manipulation”, based on empty promises, empty vaults & empty minds. From an illegal regime with a proven history of looting! Of looting Gold, Zimbabwe Gold!