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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

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• 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

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Written by: Inspired by FCDO and collated by John Burke, ZHRO

Published: 17 March 2025

Last Updated: 22 June 2025

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• SADC destabalised
• No Democracy in Zim
• Little Justice in Zim

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!

Read more: 16 Events Not Out

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Written by: Milton Bingwa

Published: 05 March 2025

Last Updated: 05 March 2025

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• Blockchain Voting APP
• Removal of Corrupt ZEC

Blockchain Voting Could End Election Rigging in Zimbabwe 

For years, Zimbabwe’s elections have been plagued by allegations of vote rigging, manipulation, and outright fraud. Many Zimbabweans, both at home and in the diaspora, have grown weary of a system where the results often seem pre-determined by the ruling Zanu PF party and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Now, a bold new pilot scheme to introduce blockchain technology for voting among Zimbabweans in the diaspora could finally offer a way to break this cycle of corruption and bring democracy in a country that has been marred by corruption for decades now.

A History of Electoral Fraud

Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been dominated by Zanu PF for over four decades, with recent elections under President Emmerson Mnangagwa doing little to convince critics that real democracy has taken place. Allegations of ballot stuffing, voter roll tampering, voter intimidation have become almost synonymous with Zimbabwean elections. The ZEC, meant to be an independent electoral body, is often seen as little more than a tool for maintaining Zanu PF’s iron grip on power led by Emerson Mnangagwa.

According to Take 2 Zimbabwe, “The need for genuine electoral reforms is critical if Zimbabwe is ever to achieve a truly democratic process.” The article outlines key reforms such as “transparent voter registration, unbiased media coverage, and independent election management” all areas where blockchain technology could make a significant impact (Take 2 Zimbabwe, 2024).

While the country’s elite, those within Mnangagwa’s inner circle enjoy wealth and privilege, yet ordinary Zimbabweans are left struggling in dire poverty with below par infrastructure, as the countries resources are looted on an industrial scale. Unemployment is rampant, and economic opportunities remain scarce and failed government policies that throttle the masses. The disparity between the politically connected and the rest of the population could not be starker.

Can Blockchain Make a Difference

Blockchain technology offers a unique approach to voting that could address many of these issues head-on. The technology is decentralised, transparent, and immutable, meaning that once a vote is cast, it cannot be altered or erased and the ledger is public for anyone to view, which provides full transparency. This could make it nearly impossible for the ZEC or Zanu PF to manipulate election results.

With blockchain, votes are recorded on a public ledger, allowing anyone to verify the results in real-time. Unlike traditional systems where a handful of officials can skew vote tallies behind closed doors, blockchain voting offers transparency at every step.

For Zimbabweans in the diaspora, who number between 3 and 4 million worldwide, including an estimated 112,000 in the UK, this could be a game changer. Many of these Zimbabweans have been unable to vote in previous elections due to logistical and political barriers. Blockchain voting would allow them to cast their ballots securely and remotely, providing a stronger voice to those outside the country.

Other Countries Have Done It, Why Not Zimbabwe

Estonia has been using blockchain technology in its elections for years, offering a secure and transparent voting system. Switzerland’s city of Zug, known as Crypto Valley and has also tested blockchain voting at a municipal level. Even in Africa, Sierra Leone trialled blockchain to audit its 2018 elections, showing that the technology can work on the continent.

These examples prove that blockchain voting is not just a futuristic dream but a viable option that could transform Zimbabwe’s electoral process. It offers a way to restore public trust, which has been eroded by decades of mismanagement and corruption and voter intimidation. SOURCE: Link Here and HERE from the Financial Times re Estonia

Challenges and Considerations

Of course, implementing blockchain voting would not be without its challenges. Reliable internet access would be critical to ensure that all eligible voters could participate. Cybersecurity measures would also need to be robust to protect the system from hacking or sabotage. Additionally, new legal frameworks would be required to support this technology, ensuring that disputes can be resolved fairly and transparently.

A Step Towards True Democracy

If this pilot scheme proves successful, it could pave the way for broader electoral reforms in Zimbabwe. It might finally offer a level playing field, where votes count equally, and election outcomes reflect the true will of the people not just the wishes of a privileged few within the inner circle of Zanu Pf.

For too long, Zimbabweans have been asked to participate in a democracy that offers only the illusion of choice. Blockchain voting could change that, giving millions of Zimbabweans—both at home and abroad—a real voice in their country’s future.

The world will be watching closely. Could this be the first step towards breaking the chains of corruption and bringing about real change in Zimbabwe? Many hope so, and with blockchain technology, that hope might finally have a solid foundation.

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 21 February 2025

Last Updated: 23 February 2025

Hits: 684

• Demo at Zim Embassy
• Petition at 14:00

The best laid plans! At the beginning of the week {after submitting the list of Petitioners to the MET Police Diplomatic Unit on the 29th January - and got all 6 approved) we had Shamiso Moyo, detained and in Yarleswood! and then Chief Ndiweni is offered a minor surgical procedure - on Thursday 20th Feb! And these days it's best not to say - "can we reschedule" - as it might be in 12 months time, or longer. Not to worry we have another scheduled petition submission for the 5th March -  only 2 weeks away.

Chief Ndiweni And I organise a recording of his intended speech on Tuesday 18th. We create a timed web article to appear at 13:45 on the 20th to coincide with the speeches on the day. The article is a written transcript and an audio embedded file so the recipient can hear the message too. It appears on our ZEXIT platform, in a section entitled "Chief Ndiweni's Diary"! Charles Kanyimo also writes and excellent article too - concerning Electoral Reform - something we will champion on the 5th March 2025. But we did not wish to publish before the 20th Feb petition had been delivered! So again we created a timed future publication  - to appear at 14:30 on the 20th Feb. 2025 I hope ypou are all following this!

On the Wednesday night I look up the weather forecasts for home and central London - 70-90% chance of RAIN!! 

Fortunately at 7:00 am on the Thursday 20th Feb - although very gloomy, and the ground was wet, it looked as if the rain had stopped. As indeed we did not get another drop until is started spitting at 3:00pm - after we had finished - as we use an ink-jet printer - any rain could literally wash away our arguments!

Arrived at Victoria Train Station at 11:30am. My heart-felt sympathies go to Josephine Jenje (one of our organisers) who messaged me to say she was on the Night Bus to London - so she could arrive on the Thursday morning of the 20th Feb - that's preparation indeed! I walk to The Zimbabwe Embassy, and nearly there, just catch the eye of Dickson Chikwizo (another organiser) as he passes me head down, who was going to get something to eat!

First there, and leaning in the doorway to the Zimbabwe Embassy is our old friend Peter Sidindi (in his very 'offical' looking peaked cap with Red Band - see Flickr images} - who I have not seen for a quite a few years. In fact several "old faces" appear over the next 30 minutes. So we start taking photos and the odd video too. You can see the whole day on our Flickr Platform - which now that stands at over 150 images [CLICK HERE to VIEW}. We meet up with a lot of well known faces from the past - and a great many new faces too. 

Outside the Zimbabwe Embassy we meet with Tatenda Changambika, Ullbile M Nkwate {on X as @NkwateUlib17272}, Heath Simbarasche {on X as @SimbaHeath} and Shorayi Spencer Guzha all sent by Stanford Biti on behalf of CCC Southend Branch. Then we are introduced to Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu (and her 'secretive' daughter), [Nolanga has quite a pedigree in ROHR, CCC and one time former Bulawayo regional board member of ZimRights - now a newly minted ZHRO member too.]. Lots more Zimbabweans were arriving at this time too.

Just then, and out of the blue, as it were, the State Mercedes with a ZIM 1 number plate arrives - difficult to see who is in it due to the tinted windows (to hide the guilty we suspect}. However, an oriental looking chauffeur gets out and opens the rear door, and out pops a skeletal looking old Ambassador in his blue Crombie Coat and a stylish Dark Fedora Hat! Ex-Colonel Christain Katsande himself.

Then in all the most spontaneous outpouring Rudo Yvonne Dodzo starts with a protest song - with all the other Zimbabweans joining in! it was absolutely brilliant: hatidi zvekupiwa order nema sasikamu (we don’t want to be ordered around by lunatics/saskam). The video of this event is also on our Flickr Platform - please view and listen to it HERE it was so good we also put it on Twitter/X {HERE} as did Thabo Makuyana {HERE}.

Not long after that hilarious skit we set off towards Trafalgar Square, to Whitehall to arrive under the gaze of Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery - opposite the entrance to Downing Street - our ultimate destination. Here we organised ourselves for speeches, and whilst those were being spoken {including the message from Chief Ndiweni as referred to above} 4 of us went to present ourselves to the security of Downing Street MET Police Diplomatic Unit. 

for Diana Machingauta, Rudo Yvonne Dodzo and Tawanda Matangambiri, it was an "eye opener" as all the Police inside the security gates were so friendly - posing for photographs and even taking pictures of us with our own mobile phones. The Police were smiling, they were jovial and honest. Even though the officer who accompanied us to the door of 10 Downing Street had a side arm, a 'tazer', stab vest and all that equipment - there was no threat! He was just a guy doing a job. Not like the Zimbabwe Police. The chap inside Downing Street was neat and tidy, his boots were shiny and black - his uniform well looked after. 

We posed for photos at the famous doorway to Number 10 Downing Street - with the brass Letter box with the words "First Lord of the Treasury" the Official Historic Title of the Prime Minister. Next door - The Chancellor of the Exchequer has another title of "Second Lord of the Treasury" - so much history since 1682. So what was our purpose, what did we deliver to the PM on the 20th February 2025 - Well you Can Read it yourself HERE - CLICK for Petition Read/Or Download - opens in a new Window.

Now whilst some of us were playing at 'knocking on the door to 10 Downing Street', the rest of the activists were conducting speeches to continue with the general protest we had started that day. Several videos are now showing on Twitter

• See Josephine Jenje HERE,
• Tatenda Changambika HERE,
• Dickson Chikwizo HERE, 
• Boniface Zengeni HERE  
• Peter Sidindi HERE and 
• Nobukhosi Dube [Twitter: @khosiedee22] HERE at these individual links;