Persecution in 2025
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- Written by: Desire Munyaradzi KUNAKA with Chat GPT as Research Assistant
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A briefing on documented persecutions of activists in Zimbabwe during 2025 (covering Jan–Oct 2025, with the most important incidents, patterns, legal framing, and quick recommendations). I pulled reporting from human-rights groups and multiple news outlets so you can use this as a short briefing or expand into a timeline/report.
Photograph: from our meeting in Durham with Jenatry Muranganwa Chihota, Shepherd Yuda and myself - as reported in New Zimbabwe on 4th October 2025 Second Photo below: Full Meeting Participants
Executive summary
In 2025 Zimbabwean authorities continued a pattern of arrests, remands, and prosecutions targeting activists, journalists and protest organisers. Major actions in 2025 include (1) the arrest and prolonged detention of journalist Blessed Mhlanga (Feb 24 onward) for interviewing a critic of the president; (2) mass post-protest arrests around the 31 March antigovernment demonstrations with roughly 95–107 people detained; and (3) a wave of arrests/remands in October 2025 tied to planned marches and the prosecution of outspoken activists (including Godfrey “Madzibaba” Karembera). Human-rights organisations (HRW, Amnesty, CPJ) and international media have documented denials of bail, charges of “incitement” or “unlawful gathering,” and allegations of mistreatment. Human Rights Watch+2Al Jazeera+2
World Day of Nonviolence
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- Written by: Blessing Tariro Makeyi, Tawanda Matangambiri and Ghandi
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On this World Day of Nonviolence,
Zimbabwe has an opportunity to reflect and reset.
Ending police brutality is not only a legal or political necessity—it is a moral imperative. Authorities must:
- Ensure accountability for abuses committed by security forces.
- Uphold the constitutional rights to free assembly, expression, and association.
- Train law enforcement officers in de-escalation and community policing rooted in respect for human dignity.
Equally, citizens, civic leaders, and faith groups must continue advocating for peace, dialogue, and accountability. As Political Activists in the diaspora we met to discuss Zimbabwe's deterioration on rule of law and violence towards any opposition of the ZANU PF.
We Say No To Violence and No to ZANU PF 2030 Campaign.
Other activists commented and GROK (X's AI produced a comprehensive October list of Zanu PF violence:
GROK October
Search: https://x.com/i/grok/
Many details emerge from real-time social media alerts due to limited mainstream coverage amid censorship. October 2025
- October 17: Arrest of 11 Anti-ED2030 War Veterans
Eleven war veterans, vocal opponents of constitutional amendments for Mnangagwa's extended rule, were arrested in Harare on charges of "incitement" and "unlawful gathering." They were reportedly detained without warrants, beaten during custody, and held incommunicado for over 48 hours before court appearance. Human rights groups allege the arrests were facilitated by state informants, including Mubuso Chiguno (a suspected ZANU-PF operative), who was briefly detained with them but released to continue targeting activists. No independent medical exams were allowed, raising torture concerns. - Mid-to-Late October: Abduction and Arrest of Activist "Traore"
An opposition activist known as Traore (full name not publicly disclosed for safety) was abducted from his Harare home by unidentified men in unmarked vehicles. He was interrogated about anti-ED2030 networks, tortured (including beatings and electric shocks per unverified claims), and later "arrested" on fabricated drug charges. This fits a pattern of using criminal pretexts to sideline political threats. Traore's family reported threats to silence them.
From Promise to Peril
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- Written by: Patsen Nkomo
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Zimbabwe: From Promise to Peril
The Human Rights Crisis Under Mnangagwa
When President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga toppled Robert Mugabe in November 2017, they promised Zimbabweans a new dawn. They claimed they wanted to rid the country of the corrupt thugs who had surrounded the aging dictator and restore Zimbabwe to prosperity. Seven years later, that promise has proven hollow. Nothing has fundamentally changed – Mnangagwa has simply replaced Mugabe's corrupt network with his own.
The Continuation of Corruption
The international community has taken notice of Zimbabwe's continued descent into corruption under Mnangagwa's leadership. In March 2024, the United States imposed targeted sanctions on President Mnangagwa himself, along with his wife and other senior officials, citing their involvement in corruption and serious human rights abuses. The U.S. Treasury Department specifically accused Mnangagwa of protecting gold and diamond smuggling networks, directing government officials to facilitate illicit sales, and taking bribes in exchange for his services.
The names of Wicknell Chivayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei have become synonymous with the kind of crony capitalism that has flourished under Mnangagwa's rule. These individuals, with their ostentatious displays of wealth, represent a system where political connections matter more than merit or legality. According to investigative reports, Tagwirei received treasury bills at favourable exchange rates while running the Command Agriculture program, epitomizing the kind of corruption that has become endemic under the current administration.
Infrastructure in Ruins
The evidence of this corruption is visible everywhere in Zimbabwe's crumbling infrastructure. The state of the country's roads tells a story of neglect and misplaced priorities. While billions of dollars disappear through corrupt deals, ordinary Zimbabweans struggle with impassable roads that hamper economic activity and isolate communities. The deterioration of basic infrastructure reflects a government more concerned with enriching its allies than serving its people.
24th May 2025 - Africa Day Petition
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- Written by: ZHRO and the Petitioners
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In Recognition of AFRICA DAY - Sunday 25th MAY 2025: Updated
Today (Saturday 24th May 2025) we presented our Petition to the UK PM at Number 10 Downing Street at 14:00. This had been arranged (3 weeks ago) with the DSLO (Downing Street Liaison Office Police Unit). In addition, a copy will be e-mailed to the Zimbabwe Desk within the FCDO located in King Charles Street (Accessable via the arch opposite the front door to 10 Downing Street!)
6 Activists were cleared to enter the gates of Downing Street to handover at that 'famous' front door - with a letter box inscribed with the words "First Lord of the Treasury"Note However, due to train delays and other emergecies only 3.5 (three and one half!) entered the famous courtyard at Number 10!!
This article became 'LIVE' at 14:30 as planned, after we physically delivered the written petition, and the wriiten document can be read or downloaded at this LINK - Click Here to Read/Download
We have done this many times before as can be seen on this link to our summary of the last 33 months of activism and demonstrations 16 Events Not Out - as a nod to Zimbabwe's cricket team at Trent Bridge (May 22nd to Africa Day - 25th May 2025)
Diana Machingauta, Vengai Mutsawu, Tatenda Changambika, Tawanda Matangambiri, Mollin Muteto and Happiness Ncube, will be delivering the Petition to the Offices within 10 Downing Street. Tawanda will be filming the video log of the hand over and comments from all the petitioners about Africa Day, and how Zimbabwe is NOT an ideal representative of the real potential within the Continent!
However things did not go to plan - Tawanda, and Mollin got caught up in the train chaos today so could not arrive in time for the ID Checks at the Gates to Downing Street - they were only 10 minutes late - but the police are VERY strict! Very Strict indeed. Tatenda and Vengai both had family emergencies to contend with. So it was left to myself to take up one place plus Happiness's young daughter to fill in! - See the photo log.
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