Jacob Ngarivhume, president of the Transform Zimbabwe party, has been reportedly taken from his home by individuals believed to be affiliated with the state security services. The arrest occurred on Friday and has raised significant concerns about the Zimbabwean government’s crackdown on dissent in the lead-up to the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, scheduled for August 17 in Harare.
Former Zengeza West Member of Parliament Job Sikhala and award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono both confirmed the arrest via social media. Sikhala reported that Ngarivhume was taken away by unidentified men in a Toyota Fortuner GD6, while Chin’ono shared that Ngarivhume had contacted him just before the arrest, stating that his house was surrounded by secret service agents and police officers.
Chin’ono described Ngarivhume’s arrest as part of a broader pattern of harassment against pro-democracy voices in Zimbabwe. “Zimbabwean political activist Jacob Ngarivhume just called me now, telling me that his home is surrounded by Zimbabwean secret service and police officers! Ngarivhume has been arrested before and has spent time in jail on trumped-up charges. The Zimbabwean government has embarked on a crackdown against pro-democracy voices before the SADC summit, which is starting on the 17th of August. Ngarivhume’s previous arrests and time spent in jail on trumped-up charges demonstrate a pattern of targeted harassment and intimidation by the Zimbabwean authorities,” tweeted Chin’ono.
The arrest follows Ngarivhume’s recent announcement, along with Sikhala, of planned protests against corruption and poor governance under the ZANU PF government. Both activists have faced previous arrests, which their supporters view as politically motivated.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) confirmed Ngarivhume’s arrest but provided no additional details. The escalating number of arrests among opposition figures has intensified concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe addressed the situation at a press conference, asserting that the government would respond firmly to any attempts to disrupt the SADC Summit. “It has historical footprints. We have always witnessed the penchant to mobilise for demonstrations around regional and international events. This SADC Summit was, therefore, not going to be an exception. It is clear that the organisers seek to provoke a heavy-handed response from the Government which they assume will attract global attention and put Zimbabwe on the spotlight. We have been through such episodes before and are prepared for the same. The attempts at rendering the country ungovernable will be met with befitting responses. Let those seeking to create an atmosphere of despondency among peace-loving citizens be warned that such antics will not be tolerated,” Kazembe stated.
International reactions have been critical of the arrests. The United States Embassy in Harare condemned the detentions, stating, “The increasing reports of detention & violence toward Zimbabweans exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of expression & assembly run counter to the democratic principles upon which SADC is built.”
The United Kingdom also expressed concern, urging Zimbabwean authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional rights. “Following these developments and statements by the Government of Zimbabwe closely. Ahead of this month’s SADC summit in Harare, 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,” said the British High Commission. The European Union also criticized the arrests, with the Heads of Mission in Harare noting, “We are deeply concerned about the multiple arrests that have occurred over the last two months.”
In addition to Ngarivhume’s arrest, ZLHR reported that 11 residents of Mutare had been arrested for allegedly planning to disrupt the SADC Summit. Furthermore, Bishop Kevin Nyamakanga was detained in Harare for allegedly inciting violence. The government has reportedly invested over US$200 million in preparations for the summit, highlighting its significance and the high stakes involved. Ngarivhume’s arrest and the broader crackdown on activists have sparked widespread concern about the erosion of freedoms and the government’s approach to dissent in Zimbabwe.
In other news – Zimbabwean man arrested in Australia for plotting massive methamphetamine importation
Michael Charumbira, a 31-year-old Zimbabwean, has been apprehended and charged in connection with a major drug importation plot in Australia. Charumbira stands accused of orchestrating the smuggling of approximately 896 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of US$538,000, into the country.
According to Sky News Australia, Charumbira was arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on July 31, 2024, at a property in Warwick Farm, a suburb in south-west Sydney. The arrest followed an anonymous tip-off from the United States Homeland Security Investigations, which linked substantial drug shipments to a Sydney-based store. Read More
