Climate of fear ahead of high-profile SADC summit

As Zimbabwe prepares to assume the chairmanship of the SADC on 17 August, the country faces a severe crackdown on dissent. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has responded to growing protests against his leadership with heavy-handed tactics, arresting scores of opposition members and activists. On 16 June, 79 members of the Citizens Coalition for Change, including interim party leader Jameson Timba, were arrested at a gathering at the party leader’s house to commemorate the International Day of the African Child. They were accused of planning protests against Mnangagwa during the SADC Summit. The police used batons and fired teargas at the group, resulting in injuries. They were charged with ‘gathering with intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct’ after being held for more than 48 hours in custody before appearing in court. A Mail & Guardian analysis notes that this is in violation of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. On 27 June, the suspects were denied bail on the grounds that they would ‘commit similar offences if released’. The High Court on 17 July dismissed their bail application. The arrests underscore a worrying trend of suppression of civic space and intimidation and harassment of activists and opposition politicians ahead of the summit. The M&G notes that the climate of fear is palpable after Zanu-PF’s director of information, Farai Marapira, warned journalists that the party and the government were prepared to ‘decisively’ deal with any dissent during or before the summit. He said ‘we are ready to deal with any subversiveness … decisively. We are waiting for a signal’ – a chilling reminder of the lengths Mnangagwa’s Government is willing to go to silence critical voices. The stifling grip of repression has driven dissenters to seek refuge across borders to exercise their fundamental right to peaceful assembly. On 11 and 12 July, demonstrators gathered in Zambia to voice their opposition to Mnangagwa’s leadership. The protest in Zambia, though largely symbolic, is unlikely to put a stop to Mnangagwa’s relentless grip on power. Yet, it starkly signifies that the spirit of resistance endures, even amid intense repression. And the role of neighbouring countries such as SA, cannot be overstated. ‘