By A Correspondent

A man from Zvishavane, Kondwani Chikerema, was arrested on Monday for allegedly making derogatory remarks about President Emmerson Mnangagwa, according to local reports. Chikerema, a well-known figure in the mining town, was detained after he made the comments at the GTS Zvishavane.

The arrest comes at a time when the Zanu PF government is on high alert, especially with the March 31 protests led by war veteran Blessed “Bombshell” Geza. Geza and his supporters are calling for President Mnangagwa’s resignation, adding to the already tense political climate in the country.

The local news outlet, Zvishavane 24/7, reported, “Kondwani Chikerema, a well-known resident of Zvishavane, was arrested for making political statements at GTS Zvishavane.” The nature of the remarks and the specific charges have not been disclosed yet, as the police have yet to comment on the arrest.

The government’s heightened security measures come in preparation for the protests, and with a history of crackdowns on dissent, the arrest of Chikerema is seen by some as part of a broader attempt to silence political opposition ahead of the planned demonstrations.

While police have remained tight-lipped on the details, critics of the regime have pointed to the arrest as further evidence of growing restrictions on free speech and political expression under Mnangagwa’s administration.