What is happening in Zimbabwe?

There has been much outcry on the situation currently unfolding in Zimbabwe, but what exactly is the cause of the mass arrests taking place in the country?

According to rights groups, Zimbabwe’s military and police are arresting opposition members, activists and journalists following an anti-government protest that was organised for July 30. Thus far, over 60 people have been arrested in the clampdown, and Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights is providing legal aid to those who have been arrested.

Human rights groups have accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of arresting those who have dissented under the guise of enforcing anti-COVID-19 lockdown rules.

The MDC Alliance, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, has said that scores of its officials have been arrested, or have been forced into hiding. According to spokesperson Tendai Biti, state agents have been known to employ fear tactics such as harassing the relatives or vandalising the homes of the person they wish to arrest, if they cannot be found or have gone into hiding.

As reported by The Washington Post, both Zimbabwean police and government officials have denied allegations that human rights have been abused. Instead, it maintains that those who have been arrested by police have incited people to revolt against Mnangagwa’s government.

Investigative journalist Mdudzuzi Mathuthu, who has been a prominent figure reporting on the government’s alleged corruption linked to the purchase of COVID-19 equipment and drugs, has gone into hiding. Amnesty International reported that police arrested his sister and refused to release her until the journalist appeared at Bulawayo Central police station the day before the protests.

Hopewell Chin’ono, also an investigative journalist, has been in jail for the past two weeks after being accused of mobilising foiled protests.