Activists and human rights defenders have expressed outrage and disappointment after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Zimbabwe concluded without addressing the worsening human rights situation in the country.
Despite growing concerns about political repression and violations of democratic principles, no SADC Head of State confronted Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa about the escalating abuses in the lead-up to the summit.
The lack of response from SADC leaders has left many questioning the regional body’s commitment to upholding its founding principles. The activists’ condemnation coincides with reports of increased arrests, harassment, and detentions of civil society activists, opposition officials, and supporters in Zimbabwe.
Former Minister of National Healing Moses Mzila Ndlovu was particularly scathing, describing the handover of the SADC chairmanship in Harare as a “routine ritual” that has become inconsequential for Zimbabweans and the region.
“It is ironic that SADC Heads of State gathered in Harare to legitimise an otherwise illegitimate government,” Ndlovu said.
He emphasized that Zimbabwe’s continuous violation of SADC norms and principles has gone unchallenged, reflecting a lack of responsibility among regional leaders.
“This is in violation of the SADC norms and principles that Zimbabwe has repeatedly infringed upon without consequences,” said Ndlovu, accusing regional leaders of failing to confront their Zimbabwean counterpart.
“SADC Heads of State are not responsible enough to address the issues that Zimbabwe is facing. These issues require other Heads of State to table and resolve them with the ultimate goal of stabilising the country so that our political and economic lives can move forward.”
Ndlovu recalled a time when former South African President Jacob Zuma directly confronted Zimbabwe’s then-leader, the late Robert Mugabe, highlighting the absence of such forthright leadership today.
“I remember sitting in a meeting in Livingstone where Robert Mugabe was told straight to his face by Jacob Zuma that he was a liar, that he had not received any invitation to attend the Heads of State meeting in Livingstone,” Ndlovu said.
“That kind of leadership is missing today, where people are forthright and willing to address the real issues.”
Ndlovu warned that as long as Zimbabwe receives tacit support from regional leaders, the country will continue to suffer from economic and political instability.
“We think that Heads of State from neighbouring countries, especially South Africa, must address the political issues afflicting Zimbabwe to avoid dealing with the spillover of people fleeing the country’s economic collapse,” he said.
Ndlovu predicted that “what the Zanu PF government is doing in Zimbabwe will never end well.”
“Where people are repressed the way we have seen, where a government sends out armed troops with live bullets to intimidate people away from gathering to demonstrate or express their discontent with the government’s conduct, and this happens in front of SADC Heads of State without anyone raising a finger, the silence is horrifying,” he lamented.
“I am horrified by the dead silence from SADC leaders, who chose not to confront Emmerson Mnangagwa over the issue of political repression, where citizens are deprived of their right to express themselves. As long as these gatherings remain routine, the people of southern Africa cannot expect any resolution of the problems they face.”
Ndlovu continued: “As for South Africa, a major industrial hub for Africa, it’s insulting that they are invited to an industrialisation meeting in Harare while Zimbabwe continues to deindustrialise what it inherited from independence.”
According to Ndlovu, political issues that need addressing include Zimbabwe’s non-compliance with SADC norms and principles.
“For instance, SADC citizens have the right to cast their votes during elections in their respective countries, but Zimbabwe, despite being a signatory, simply defies this principle because it knows the majority of those in the diaspora are anti-government,” he said.
“You have a signatory to such an important convention, yet Zimbabwe violates it without consequences.”
Admire Dube, Secretary for Information and Publicity in The Patriotic Front (TPF), echoed Ndlovu’s sentiments, expressing deep concern over SADC’s failure to address the human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
“It is disheartening that the summit concluded without addressing Zimbabwe’s worsening human rights record. This silence is not only disappointing but also raises serious questions about the commitment of regional leaders to the principles of democracy, freedom, and human dignity,” Dube said.
He called on SADC leaders to take a more active role in pressuring the Zimbabwean government to respect fundamental freedoms, including the rights to assembly, association, and political choice.
“The future of our region depends on the protection of these rights, and it is the responsibility of all SADC member states to ensure these values are upheld,” Dube added.
Dube also reflected a growing call for SADC to intervene and address the political crisis in Zimbabwe before it spirals further out of control.
“The time for action is now; silence can no longer be an option,” Dube urged.
“To the detained Zimbabweans, TPF stands with you as you are punished for pushing our collective struggle for a better future. Let us continue the fight to make our country better, but let’s do so in a way that does not put us in harm’s way.”
