London vs Harare 31st March 2025
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- Written by: John Burke
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Harare, Still Conflicting
Given the date, March 31, 2025, and the context of Harare, Zimbabwe, there are several conflicting messages and developments that make predicting today’s events challenging but possible to assess based on available information. Let’s break this down systematically.
Context and Conflicting Messages
There are reports of significant political tension in Harare leading up to today. A planned demonstration, described by some as an "uprising," has been called for by Blessed Geza, an exiled military veteran, demanding the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This stems from allegations of corruption, nepotism, and economic mismanagement, with some war veterans and political elites reportedly backing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as a potential successor. The ruling ZANU-PF party, however, has dismissed these calls as "delusional rumblings" and vowed that no protests will occur, with the government taking pre-emptive measures like dismissing a senior general and increasing security.
On the other hand, recent arson attacks in Harare and Goromonzi, confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, have heightened tensions, with some linking these incidents to the upcoming protests. Posts on X reflect public concern, with warnings to avoid Harare’s CBD due to expected heavy police presence, a weapons ban, and potential violence. Some speculate that clashes could erupt if crowds grow, while others believe the protests might fizzle out due to government crackdowns, with Geza’s allies potentially being arrested.
Additionally, there are unrelated but concurrent developments in Zimbabwe, such as the Chinese embassy’s donations of Boer goats and boreholes, a cholera outbreak, and economic struggles (e.g., civil servants moonlighting as vendors due to low salaries). These highlight the broader socio-economic challenges that might fuel public discontent but don’t directly predict today’s events.
Analysis of Likely Scenarios
- Protest Activity and Government Response:
- The planned demonstration is a focal point. Given the government’s pre-emptive actions—dismissing a senior general, increasing security, and issuing warnings—it’s likely that Harare will see a heavy police and possibly military presence today, especially in the CBD. The weapons ban suggests authorities are preparing for potential unrest.
- However, the scale of the protests is uncertain. Some sources, like independent political analyst Elton Ziki, suggest that the "temperature" isn’t as high as it was during the 2017 coup against Robert Mugabe, implying that public turnout might be limited. The arrest of journalist Blessed Mhlanga and the crackdown on dissent (e.g., activists being tortured before a regional summit last year) indicate the government’s willingness to suppress opposition, which could deter large crowds.
A Plea for Reason & Restraint
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An Urgent Plea for Reason & Restraint
To the administration of Zimbabwe and All Citizens
As Zimbabwe stands on the precipice of 31st March 2025, gripped by escalating tensions and internal power struggles within Zanu PF, we at ZHRO implore all state actors and Zimbabweans to pause and reflect.
The alarming signs of an impending violent reaction from the State, particularly the Police and potentially the military, threaten to plunge our beloved nation into chaos and bloodshed. Yet, there remains a fleeting window of opportunity to avert catastrophe. We beseech President Mnangagwa and his administration to recognize that brute force cannot extinguish the smouldering crises afflicting Zimbabwe. Like pouring petrol on a fire, such actions will only inflame the desperation of an already weary populace.
The Executive must ease its foot off the accelerator, for it is speeding toward a precipice from which all, especially innocent civilians, may plummet to ruin. By failing to steward the nation's affairs and safeguard citizens from economic-triggered instability, the current leadership has itself become a peril to Zimbabwe's stability and security. No amount of violence, nor payments to police, military, or youth to act as mercenaries, can remedy the dog-eat-dog circumstances into which Zimbabwe has descended. Arresting innocent people rather than the rot consuming our society will only hasten the end.
While repression of the masses in cities and towns may seem a convenient short-term tactic, neglecting the underlying causes risks unleashing a nightmare surpassing South Africa's xenophobic attacks or the Rwandan Genocide. In an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, neighbour may turn against neighbour in an uncontrollable spiral of killing.
If the State persists on this path, it may forfeit control over national security entirely, driving Zimbabwe into unimaginable chaos and loss of life. We demand constitutionally enshrined human security for all Zimbabweans now - a security that no number of boots on the ground or guns can deliver. There is still time to choose a different course, to seek enduring solutions over temporary suppression. We appeal to the patriotism of all Zimbabweans, within the regime and without, to pull our country back from the brink.
In hope and resolve,
John C Burke, ZHRO Founder
Zanu PF are Rapists
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Zanu PF: Rapists & Support Rape as a tool of Oppression.
So are all Zanu PF members RAPISTS?
In Zimbabwe, state-sponsored rape has been documented as a tool of political repression, particularly around elections, aimed at intimidating opposition supporters and suppressing dissent. This tactic has been notably employed during periods of heightened political tension, such as the 2008 presidential election runoff, to influence electoral outcomes and instil fear among citizens.
Historically, during the 2008 elections, reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and AIDS-Free World highlighted a systematic campaign of violence, including rape, perpetrated by supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party against members and perceived supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). These acts were often carried out by ZANU-PF militias, "war veterans," and youth groups, with evidence suggesting coordination by state security forces, including the army and police. For instance, rural areas that shifted support to the MDC saw concentrated violence, with rape used to punish and deter opposition activity. Victims included women targeted for their own or their families' political affiliations, with assailants sometimes explicitly linking the assaults to electoral choices, such as warning against voting for the MDC.
The psychological impact on Zimbabwe's citizens has been profound. Research, such as Lauren E. Young’s study "The Psychology of State Repression: Fear and Dissent Decisions in Zimbabwe" (published in the American Political Science Review, 2019), demonstrates how fear induced by such violence alters dissent behaviour. In a lab-in-the-field experiment with 671 opposition supporters, those exposed to fear-inducing stimuli showed significantly reduced willingness to engage in hypothetical and behavioural dissent, alongside increased pessimism and risk aversion. This suggests that state-sponsored rape, as part of a broader repressive strategy, exploits emotional responses to paralyze political opposition, making citizens less likely to challenge the regime even when they oppose it.
The use of rape also has gendered dimensions, disproportionately affecting women and leveraging societal stigma to amplify its effects. Reports indicate that victims faced not only physical trauma but also ostracization, with many reluctant to report due to shame or fear of reprisal. This compounded the psychological toll, breaking down community cohesion and individual resilience, further entrenching the ruling party’s control by silencing potential activists.
Electorally, this violence has skewed participation and outcomes. By targeting opposition strongholds and individuals involved in election processes—like polling agents in 2018, some of whom were reportedly raped or tortured to coerce compliance with falsified results—the state has undermined the integrity of the vote. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has been criticized for complicity or inaction, reinforcing perceptions of an uneven playing field.
Overall, state-sponsored rape in Zimbabwe has served as both a direct weapon against political adversaries and a psychological tool to suppress the will of a hard-pressed populace, creating a climate of terror that distorts democratic processes and entrenches authoritarian rule.
The Psychological Harms
The psychological impact of state-sponsored rape in Zimbabwe on its citizens, particularly in the context of elections and political repression, is multifaceted, deeply traumatic, and long-lasting. Drawing from available evidence and studies on similar contexts, here are the detailed effects:
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Fear and Paralysis of Dissent
Research like Lauren E. Young’s 2019 study ("The Psychology of State Repression: Fear and Dissent Decisions in Zimbabwe") provides experimental evidence of how fear, triggered by violence such as rape, reshapes political behaviour. In her study with 671 Zimbabwean opposition supporters, those exposed to fear-inducing cues—reflecting real experiences of state violence—exhibited a 50% reduction in willingness to engage in hypothetical dissent (e.g., attending protests) and a significant drop in actual dissent behaviours (e.g., signing petitions). This fear response is heightened by rape’s personal and invasive nature, making it a potent tool to deter political engagement. Victims and their communities internalize the message that resistance leads to severe consequences, fostering a pervasive sense of helplessness.
16 Events Not Out
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List of Petitions/Demos Delivered since 18th August 2022: to 17-18th June 2025
Updated Update, Updated Again- 20th June 2025 - No to Auxilla Visit Demo and another Petition - see table below:
Breaking 18th June 2025: ZHRO founder BARRED from entering FLAIR SUMMIT - Due to Protest outside (embarrasing the organisers?)
In addition we have been approached by the Zimbabwe Embassy (staff) to meet with the Ambassador to try and defuse our campaign against Auxilla Mnangagwa's UK visit 17-18th June 2025
Updated: 25th May 2025: Now 19 Not Out - but England defeat the Zimbabwe Cricket Team - 22-25th May 2025!
Added information regarding the 18th April 2025 - 45 years of waiting for Independence! Plus some Walk 4 Freedom activity-
In addition and very imporatant we have a UK visit (how ??) by Auxilla Mnangagwa - to pontificate about "Women's Empowerment, Impact and Resilience" - We smell propaganda and luandering!
The diaspora has been active in pushing for Zimbabwe's Justice, Economic Stability, Free & Fair Elections, Human Rights, Constitution and an Independent Judiciary for the last 33 months. However, intimidation, violence and corruption have still plagued Zimbabwe, since it was pointed out that Mnangagwa and Zanu PF would "DESTABILISE" the Region due to his upcoming Chairmanship - which indeed has happened - not that we are happy about it! As the regime often claims. The Diaspora are extremely patriotic!
Our contacts, within and without of Zimbabwe, all conclude the same thing - Zimbabwe is NOT A DEMOCRACY. It fails on every metric that applies to a democracy. Indeed, we have posited that there is only a masquerade of a democracy in Zimbabwe in several articles - some with the deep research assistance of AI {Twitter's GROK3 and the super 'slim' Chinese DeepSeek} CLICK HERE to read and CLICK HERE for Testing a Democracy by measuring how many days in prison do activists have to serve? Again, AI helps tremendously with deep analytical measurement and "considered" estimations - based on existing data!
- Blockchain Voting App
- 20th Feb 2025 We Dont Want No ED 2030
- Electoral Reforms a Vital Condition
- From Colonisation to Dictatorship
- Justice for a Genocide
- Liberation was Hijacked
- Ghost of Zimbabwean Gold
- Member Perspectives 13th Dec 2023
- Amnesty International Zimbabwe Review 2018-2023
- Police and ZEC Bias in Zimbabwe - ZHRC
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