President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused foreign entities of funding schemes to tarnish Zimbabwe’s image. This comes after global condemnation of his administration’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 17-18.
The government has faced backlash from Western embassies and international organizations following the arrest of over 100 activists, some of whom have been severely tortured in custody. These activists, still denied bail, remain in detention.
Speaking at the burial of national hero Makhethi Ndebele, Mnangagwa said there is a concerted effort to spread falsehoods. “There are efforts to reverse the gains of our liberation struggle. These attacks include peddling falsehoods about our country,” he said. “It is a shame that there is a deliberate, foreign-funded campaign against our success. We will not be deterred. We are moving forward.”
Mnangagwa accused unnamed powers of trying to sow discord in the region. “The strategies by some powers to create division between States in our region will never succeed. We defeated imperialistic agendas for our liberation. We will defeat them again,” he said.
The president insisted that Zimbabwe’s resources are the target. “Their interests are not for Africa but to control our minerals,” Mnangagwa stated. “We will resist their machinations for our prosperity, peace, and stability.”
Several embassies have voiced their concerns after the crackdown on political activists. The U.S. embassy in Harare said Zimbabwe’s government was undermining SADC principles. “The increasing reports of detention and violence towards Zimbabweans exercising their constitutional rights run counter to SADC’s democratic principles,” it posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The British government also expressed its concerns. “We urge the authorities to uphold the rule of law, including constitutional rights to assembly and association, and to ensure due process for all Zimbabweans,” the British high commissioner stated.
The European Union voiced similar worries. “We are deeply concerned about the multiple arrests over the last two months,” the EU mission in Harare said.
In June, police arrested opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party supporters at a meeting in Harare. Seventy-nine members were detained, including top party member Jameson Timba and his son. Seventy-seven of them remain in prison after being denied bail.
In July, police arrested 44 members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union at the Zesa Training Centre in Harare after violence erupted, leading to property destruction.
Last week, four local pro-democracy activists were pulled off a Victoria Falls-bound plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusumuzi Moyo were allegedly tortured following their abduction.
Currently, over 100 people are in detention after being arrested across the country since June. In Mutare, 11 residents were rounded up at a private residence and accused of plotting demonstrations ahead of the summit.
In Kariba, 14 CCC activists appeared in court last Friday. They were charged with participating in a gathering intending to cause violence and were remanded to this Thursday. Several other senior opposition leaders have reportedly been summoned by the police to participate in demonstrations, some dating back to 2019.
Mnangagwa’s insistence on a foreign-funded campaign against Zimbabwe contrasts with the growing international concern over human rights violations. As the SADC summit approaches, the president faces mounting pressure to address these issues and ensure the safety and rights of his citizens.
Source: Newsday
