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Written by: AI, @Chivhu4lyfe and John Burke

Published: 01 April 2025

Last Updated: 22 June 2025

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• Too Many Criminals

The X post by Anesu (@Chivhu4lyfe) CLICK HERE for Original

On March 31, 2025, @Chivhu4lyfe accuses 34 individuals of being part of "ED's Grand Looting Mafia" and "Political Criminals," collectively referred to as "Zvigananda" (Shona for "thieves"). These individuals are blamed for Zimbabwe's economic collapse, healthcare crisis, and overall governance/administration failures.

The post ties into the broader context of the March 31, 2025, protests in Harare, where citizens expressed frustration over corruption, economic hardship, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's potential term extension to 2030, which many view as a violation of the constitution. Below is an analysis of the named individuals, their roles, and their ties to Mnangagwa, based on the provided data and broader context.

Context of the Post and Protests

The post reflects deep public discontent in Zimbabwe, a country grappling with economic decline, hyperinflation, and a failing healthcare system. The term "Zvigananda" underscores the perception of systemic corruption, where a small elite is accused of plundering national resources while the majority suffer. The protests on March 31, 2025, were part of a national shutdown, with demonstrators opposing Mnangagwa’s rumored plan to extend his presidency beyond his constitutional two-term limit (ending in 2028). This unrest is further fueled by internal ZANU-PF factionalism, particularly between Mnangagwa’s camp and supporters of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, as highlighted by war veteran Blessed Geza’s resistance movement (M31).

Mnangagwa, who came to power in a 2017 coup against Robert Mugabe, has been accused of consolidating power through patronage networks, rewarding loyalists with key positions and economic opportunities while sidelining rivals. The individuals listed in the post are seen as part of this network, benefiting from their proximity to Mnangagwa while allegedly engaging in corrupt practices.

Read more: Twitter Accusations - an Analysis

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 31 March 2025

Last Updated: 22 June 2025

Hits: 718

• ZANU PF MUST GO
• Zanu PF Have GONE

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

1. 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.

   • Read more: London vs Harare 31st March 2025

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 30 March 2025

Last Updated: 30 March 2025

Hits: 500

• No more brutality

An Urgent Plea for Reason & Restraint

To the administration of Zimbabwe and All Citizens

As Zimbabwe stands on the precipice of 31^st 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

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Written by: Compiled by AI, John Burke and all those suffering in Zimbabwe and the diaspora

Published: 23 March 2025

Last Updated: 23 March 2025

Hits: 755

• Rape - a Zanu PF weapon
• Psychological Oppression
• The Subjugation of a Nation

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:

1. 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.

   Read more: Zanu PF are Rapists