By Dr Victor Chimhutu | We have noticed with sadness that the only significant achievement by Mnangagwa since his military assisted take-over has been an increased onslaught on citizens rights, democracy and our dignity. The onslaught on our freedoms is at unprecedent levels, making Ian Smith and Mugabe amateurs in that department. This is indeed sad for a leader who hijacking citizens’ struggle in our united demands for our freedoms. We have noted the following retrogressive and sad developments among many:

1. A deliberate attempt by Mnangagwa to annihilate opposition politics. We have recently witnessed carefully choreographed attempts to destroy the opposition by the so-called defections of members of the main opposition to ZANU-PF. These events have even broadcasted on the national television. Mnangagwa has been using the State House, a government property to host these party defectors, a gross abuse of power.
2. Lawfare- we have noticed increased arrests, abductions and harassment of dissenting voices. This is done in order to silence citizens, great democracies and economies are built when citizens fully participate, including expressing their opinions without fear or favour. The attacks have not spared anyone, from students, labour unions, social movements, opposition, women, men, youths, PLWDs, farmers- the attacks are to everyone and everything expressing divergent views. Sadly, courts have been used to detain citizens without bail for even up to 3 months.
3. Patriotic bill- never has there been an oppressive piece of legislation than the proposed patriotic bill. The bill is aiming to effectively silencing citizens. To speak against the ruling party, the president and the government is not being unpatriotic. To the contrary patriots speak out in the interest of their country, which includes speaking and questioning those in power.
4. Using COVID-19 to attack on our fundamental freedoms which includes suspending by-elections. Suspending by-elections is not justifiable by any means not even under COVID-19. We wonder why by elections remain suspended even after the government has relaxed COVID-19 restrictions.
5. Blunt use of force on citizens- we have seen the military during broad daylight in Harare, the capital city of the country shooting live bullets and killing citizens. These extra-judicial killing and execution of citizens have not been dealt with, no soldier has been arrested or held accountable. The CiC of the country is Mnangagwa and is the one with the power to deploy the military. Lack of action on Mnangagwa’s part validates that the military actions in 2018 and 2019 were under his orders.
6. Ferrets- We have seen abductions of citizens, including an abduction that was caught on camera. These abductions are being done by the ferret, which is a secret but now official organ of the state security agencies. It is absurd and sad that such a clandestine security organ is established during this century, taking Zimbabwe far back to the colonial era.
7. Varakashi- It is sad that Mnangagwa officially formed and launched the so-called varakashi on social media in the attempt to stifle our freedoms. In all social media platforms, citizens genuinely discussing challenges in our country are pestered, harassed and victimized in the attempt to silence citizens.

We can go on and on but what is clear is that Mnangagwa has surpassed his predecessors, Mugabe and Smith is coming up with a repressive regime. This does not auger well for Zimbabwe, this takes Zimbabwe back by decades.

As citizens we will keep resisting these attempts. We appeal to all progressive forces, all citizens to join us is resisting these attempts by our government. We also call for our courts, our police, our army and all security agencies to resist the attempts by ZANU-PF and Mnangagwa to use them as tools to suppress democracy and people’s freedoms.

Be on the right side of history. No army, no matter how powerful can defeat the PEOPLE

Join us in this fight and have happy easter holidays!

Tikabatana Tinokunda/ Singabambana Siyanqoba/United we stand

Dr Victor Chimhutu
Team Leader

Zimbabwe Yadzoka/Mayibuye iZimbabwe