Leonard Mhlanga

The Zimbabwean government has proven to be more obsessed with “presenting a polished and pristine image” at the expense of basic human rights for the ordinary people. In this endeavor it has deviated itself from being guided by Constitutional provisions to act in certain ways on the basis of expectations derived from the Zimbabwe Constitution. In the process it has systematically created a social, cultural and political narrative that is guided by fear and despondency thereby denying the people the very right to existence.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT), the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO forum and the Alliance for Community Based Organizations (ACBOs) issued statements condemning the state’s reprehensive approach to pro – democracy activists with the National Vendors Union of Zimbawe (NAVUZ) adding its voice to the condemnation.
“The upcoming SADC Summit should be a moment of opportunity, freedom. Community and a celebration of democracy and constitutionalism not an excuse for the Zimbabwean government to suppress fundamental rights and freedoms,” reads the HZT statement.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum added, “Sustained attacks on civil liberties through arbitrary arrests, assaults, torture and detention of citizens incommunicado have become commonplace.”
For 44 years, Zanu PF has been the dominant political force in Zimbabwe and has wielded political power through intimidation, coercion and violence that has played an unbearable role in shaping the political contours of Zimbabwe. The Zanu PF political approach to critics provided a foundation for a culture of undermining constitutionalism and democratic values that has been sustained for the past 44 years with impunity.
The recent events where there are close to 100 pro – democracy activists and opposition players that include the Avondale 79, Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi and Vusimuzi Moyo just to mention a few, being arbitrarily arrested signifies the restriction of political participation by members of the Zimbabwean society perceived to be critical of the government. The arrests, torture and detention are both acts meant to limit the ability of ordinary people to engage in political processes thereby suppressing alternative voices.
The statements attributed to Zanu PF officials and acolytes to the effect that they will deal decisively with anyone who dares demonstrate during the SADC Summit to be held on the 17th – 18th of August 2024, is a classic example of an effort to curtail civil liberties, infringing on the fundamental rights such as they freedom of speech, assembly, association as well as the right to demonstrate or picketing. Therefore, when ordinary people are intimidated into failure to express themselves freely or gather to demonstrate and protest, then Zimbabwe has no democracy to talk about for it merely undermines the very foundations of democracy.
The serious violations of basic human rights have not spared the informal sector and vendors in the streets of Harare have been subjected to harassment, intimidation and arrests on a daily basis.
“We call for the respect of economic rights of citizens and an end to the harassment and arrests of small scale traders in the name of cleaning the streets for the upcoming SADC Summit,” said ACBOs in its statement.
“This is not about cleanliness, order or the rule of law,” but, “a cruel and calculated effort to mask the harsh realities of our society, where the majority of our people are forced into the informal sector,” echoes NAVUZ.
The rights of vendors are increasingly being violated through arrests and harassment by the state under the veil of cleaning up the streets. They are subjected to arbitrary arrests, confiscation of their goods and harassment by law enforcement agents. These actions do not only violate their rights but seriously undermine their livelihoods and ability to provide for the families.
By condemning these violations, the civil society organizations are promoting accountability and ultimately contributing to a more just and equitable society.