CIVIL society organisations (CSOs) are under siege as suspected State security agents intensify surveillance and intimidation ahead of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit scheduled for Harare next week.
Government has since gone a gear up in crushing alleged dissent amid fears of planned protests during the summit.
Suspected State security agents yesterday raided Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) and the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) offices in Harare, while members of the secessionist Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) were reportedly arrested by police in Nguboyenja, Bulawayo.
CiZC spokesperson Marvellous Kumalo told NewsDay that “no one was safe” in the country.
“We are not taking lightly what happened today [yesterday] that State security agents disguised in masks, sunglasses and wearing caps so that they conceal their identity visited our offices this morning, barricaded the main entrance of the offices with their two 4x4 vehicles.
“Some of them got into the offices. We are worried because we have witnessed forced disappearances of activists and CSO leaders in the past.
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“We are worried about their intentions. (Imagine) if they could have come across some of our staff members, what could have happened?”
Zinasu president Emmanuel Sitima also confirmed that suspected State security agents visited their offices yesterday afternoon looking for officials in move seen as an attempt to silence the students’ movement.
“Fortunately, our offices were closed. But we continue to make it clear that as students, we will do whatever it takes to protect, promote and preserve democracy,” he said.
“In that same premise, we reiterate our utmost condemnation of the arrests on trumped-up charges of Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi, Robson Chere, Bruce Moyo and all other progressive pro-democracy campaigners.”
Sitima said the group was a “student union, not a terrorist organisation and we urge the State to treat us as such.”
In Bulawayo, several Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) members were yesterday picked up by the police in Nguboyenja, Bulawayo.
MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said the party activists were arrested while conducting a clean-up exercise in the high-density suburb and were yet to be formally charged.
The activists’ lawyer Nqobani Sithole confirmed the arrest adding that he would visit Entumbane Police Station, where they were being held, to get more details about the arrest.
However, Bulawayo police deputy spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said they had not yet received a report from the police station regarding the arrest.
Pressure is mounting on Mnangagwa with over 40 human rights groups and CSOs across Africa condemning the crackdown.
A joint statement signed by 44 human rights defenders and CSOs said the recent crackdown on dissenting voices constituted a direct assault on the fundamental rights of Zimbabwean citizens and an egregious violation of democratic principles and international standards.
“The recent brutal crackdown on the Zimbabwe National Students Union (members) exemplifies this escalating repression.
“Zinasu, a united front of Zimbabwean tertiary students, is dedicated to protecting students from exploitation and oppression, defending academic freedom and rights and promoting democracy.
“This incident is not isolated but rather part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and victimisation of civic groups and the opposition,” they said.
The CSOs reminded the government of its obligations under article 4 of the Sadc Treaty, which oblidges member States to act in accordance with the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
“Section 44 of the Zimbabwean Constitution mandates the respect, protection, promotion, and fulfilment of the rights and freedoms delineated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right to freedom of assembly and association as specified in section 58,” the statement further read.
“Gatherings of student unions, political parties and civil society organisations have never posed a security threat.
“We demand a clear and coherent explanation from the authorities for such heavy-handed actions, which only serve to heighten unnecessary security fears ahead of the Sadc summit.”
The CSOs which signed the statement include Africa Unite (South Africa), Africans Rising, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Mozambique, Centre for Strategic Litigation, Centre for Human Rights University of Pretoria and Chapter One Foundation.
Others are Chitungwiza Residents Trust, Coalition des Volontaires pour la Paix et Développement, Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organisations and CiZC, among others.