In a recent statement, Farai Marapira, the director of information for Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, emphasized that jails in the country are not just meant for opposition activists. He made it clear that anyone who commits a crime, regardless of their political affiliation, could end up behind bars. This statement comes amidst growing tensions in Zimbabwe as the government prepares to host the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit on August 17.
Over the past few months, more than 160 opposition members and activists have been arrested and are currently being held in prison. Many of these arrests occurred in mid-June when law enforcement rounded up over 70 members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) during what the authorities labeled as an unlawful gathering. The opposition members claim they were simply exercising their right to assemble, but the government sees it differently.
Zanu PF’s Marapira addressed these concerns head-on in a recent interview. He rejected the idea that the arrests were politically motivated, insisting that those in jail had committed various crimes. According to Marapira, the arrests were made not because of the individual’s political beliefs but because they broke the law. “Jails are not set on partisan matters,” Marapira stated firmly. “We also have some Zanu PF members who are in jail. If you commit a crime, you are arrested, and this is clear.”
However, the opposition party, CCC, has a very different view of the situation. Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson for the CCC, has been vocal about what he sees as unjust treatment of his party’s members. He argues that many of the arrested activists are innocent and that the charges against them are trumped up to suppress opposition voices. “We are continuing to see arrests of our members, and this has become too much,” Mkwananzi said.
The CCC and other opposition groups have expressed fears that their members are being targeted specifically because of their political activities. Mkwananzi pointed out that even attending national events, like the recent Heroes Day celebrations, has become risky for opposition members. “We are even finding it difficult to attend national programs because we do not have a guarantee that our members are safe,” he added.
The timing of these arrests is significant. Zimbabwe is about to host a major international event, the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, and the government is leaving nothing to chance. In the lead-up to the summit, the government has significantly increased security across the country. Armed anti-riot police and soldiers have been patrolling high-density suburbs, a visible reminder that any attempts to protest during the summit will be swiftly dealt with.
Marapira, in his interview, attempted to downplay the accusations of political bias in the arrests, repeating that members of his own party, Zanu PF, have also faced jail time. “It is not fair for the opposition party to point fingers at us because we don’t force anyone to commit a crime,” he said. This statement is intended to reinforce the idea that the law is applied equally to everyone, regardless of their political leanings.
The ongoing arrests and the government’s stern warnings have deepened the sense of division in Zimbabwe. On one side, the ruling party insists that the law must be upheld and that anyone who breaks it will face consequences. On the other side, opposition groups feel increasingly marginalized and targeted, with many believing that the government is using the law as a tool to silence dissent.
What happens next in Zimbabwe is uncertain. The government’s firm stance on law and order is unlikely to soften, especially with the summit just days away. For the opposition, the challenge will be to continue their activism while navigating the risks that come with it. As tensions remain high, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future political landscape of the country.
Source: Newsday
