The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (Southern Defenders) has written to several SADC member states, expressing deep concern over the ongoing crackdown on civic space and dissenting voices in Zimbabwe, just days before the Heads of State Summit in Harare.
The human rights group noted the importance of SADC member states taking a clear stance on the repression in Zimbabwe and holding President Emmerson Mnangagwa accountable as he assumes the SADC chairmanship this weekend.
The group warned that continued suppression of civic space could severely undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and SADC’s credibility as a regional body committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
In letters addressed to Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Lemogang Kwape; Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga; Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mulambo Haimbe; and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Southern Defenders highlighted the alarming rise in arrests and intimidation of opposition members, activists, and human rights defenders by Zimbabwean authorities.
The letters, signed by the Chairperson of Southern Defenders, Professor Adriano Nuvunga, revealed that approximately 165 individuals, including opposition politicians and civil society members, have been arbitrarily detained in recent months.
Many of these individuals face charges related to “Disorderly conduct in public places” under Chapter 4 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Codification Act, based on accusations of planning protests ahead of the SADC Summit. Southern Defenders noted that one activist was charged with “Public violence” for participating in an anti-government protest five years ago during the 2019 January Shutdown Protests.
Southern Defenders urged SADC member states to hold Zimbabwe accountable, especially as President Mnangagwa assumes the SADC chairmanship.
“We urge you and your government to call on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately and unconditionally release those arrested for simply exercising their rights. Their continued arbitrary detention violates their rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and liberty,” Prof. Nuvunga said.
Prof. Nuvunga also wrote to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Shava, highlighting the troubling suppression of civic space in Zimbabwe.
“The crackdown began on 16 June, targeting 78 members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as they celebrated the International Day of the African Child at a private residence. During their arrest, police used batons and fired tear gas, resulting in injuries. One person required surgery,” Prof. Nuvunga stated. He added that the group had been denied bail on the grounds they “would commit similar offences if released.”
“While two children have been released and one individual granted bail, 75 people, including a mother and her one-year-old baby, remain in custody after their bail application was dismissed by the High Court on 17 July,” he said.
Prof. Nuvunga condemned these arrests as violations of Zimbabwe’s constitutional and international human rights obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He further expressed concern about threats made by the government against potential protesters ahead of the SADC Summit.
“On 27 June, while addressing the Zanu PF Central Committee, President Mnangagwa warned against ‘rogue elements in the form of opposition political parties bent on peddling falsehoods and instigating acts of civil disorder, especially before, during, and after regional and world state events.’ He said ‘such acts would be dealt with decisively,’” said Prof. Nuvunga.
He also cited threatening remarks by Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Minister Jenfan Muswere on 28 June 2024 and Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba on 31 July 2024.
“We, therefore, urge SADC member states to call on the Zimbabwean government to immediately and unconditionally release all activists, opposition politicians, civil society members, and students, and to drop all charges against them. These individuals are detained solely for exercising their human rights,” Prof. Nuvunga said.
“As Zimbabwe assumes the SADC chairmanship, we also urge SADC member states to prioritize peace and security in Zimbabwe and encourage the country to respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of everyone, including their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”
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Maybe only two SADC countries can stand up to Mnangagwa on this human rights abuse issue..