By Parliamentary Reporter–The Emmerson Mnangagwa-led administration is escalating its crackdown on social media, targeting individuals and groups that use digital platforms to challenge government narratives and expose corruption.
Under the guise of curbing misinformation, preventing anonymous accounts, and maintaining national stability, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere has announced plans to introduce new regulations to police online activity.
Speaking at a “Ministers Meet the Media” event last week, Muswere said social media had become a “double-edged sword,” allowing for engagement while also being misused by activists and critics to undermine government interests. He described unregulated digital spaces as a breeding ground for “ghost accounts” spreading falsehoods against the state.
“Social media is not properly governed, and this has led to a situation where people are chasing shadows — shadows that have no meaning; shadows run by ghost accounts operated by individuals seeking to demonise their own country,” he said.
Muswere also accused former journalists of turning into “activists-for-hire,” using social media to push political agendas without verification. He insisted that new laws would hold social media users accountable and ensure that digital platforms are used responsibly.
“Part of our responsibility as a ministry is to ensure that social media is governed effectively,” Muswere stated. “We are preparing new legislation to regulate these platforms and hold users accountable.”
Mnangagwa’s Intolerance to Dissent
Since coming to power in 2017 following a military coup against Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa has portrayed himself as a reformist. However, his administration has been marked by increasing authoritarianism, crackdowns on opposition voices, and suppression of independent media.
His government has frequently targeted activists, journalists, and opposition politicians under the pretext of maintaining national security. Laws such as the Cyber and Data Protection Act (2021) have already been used to silence critics, with individuals arrested and charged for social media posts deemed critical of the state.
Zimbabwean authorities have a history of criminalizing dissent, employing repressive tactics such as abductions, arbitrary arrests, and the use of the judiciary to intimidate opposition figures. The ruling ZANU-PF party has consistently framed independent journalism and digital activism as tools of “regime change,” a label used to justify harassment and surveillance of government critics.
Government-Controlled Information Spaces
Muswere emphasized that Zimbabwe already has a governance structure that guarantees access to what the state deems”accurate information.” He urged journalists to rely on official government sources, reinforcing the administration’sefforts to control narratives and restrict alternative viewpoints.
“The media has a critical role in nation-building, in terms of identifying any issues, negative or positive, that impact on our Vision 2030,” he said. “We urge journalists to be ethical, verify facts, and seek information from official government platforms.”
Critics argue that these remarks are part of a broader effort to erode press freedom and consolidate state control over information dissemination. Zimbabwe ranks poorly on global press freedom indices, with government-aligned media dominating the landscape while independent journalists face threats and persecution.
Global Context and Zimbabwe’s Digital Clampdown
The move to regulate social media aligns Zimbabwe with global trends, as many countries have introduced laws to govern digital spaces and prevent cybercrime. However, in Zimbabwe, these measures are widely seen as a tool for political control rather than genuine cybersecurity efforts.
South Africa’s Cybercrimes Act regulates social media use to prevent cyber-related offences, while the United Kingdom’sComputer Misuse Act (1990) addresses digital threats. The United States has multiple laws, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and Communications Decency Act, to govern online spaces.
Despite these comparisons, Zimbabwe’s approach is viewed as more repressive, given its history of stifling opposition voices. The country’s 2021 Data Protection Act was initially framed as a cybersecurity measure but has been used to justify the surveillance and targeting of critics. With the latest push for stricter social media regulations, Mnangagwa’sadministration continues to tighten its grip on digital spaces, reinforcing an already shrinking civic space.
The proposed law signals yet another step toward deepening digital authoritarianism in Zimbabwe, where the government sees social media as a battleground for political control rather than an avenue for free expression and engagement.