Vicious crackdown on Chiwenga backers

State security agents have intensified surveillance of political activists suspected of helping organise the October 17 protests aimed at forcing President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of power - amid shocking details that one of the country's most prominent democracy campaigners was abducted and tortured before his arrest.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Godfrey "Madzibaba Veshanduko" Karembera was allegedly seized by suspected state agents, tortured for several hours, and later dumped at a Harare police station, according to his lawyer.

The crackdown follows the failed demonstrations called by expelled Zanu-PF central committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who has been demanding Mnangagwa's resignation over alleged corruption and poor governance.

Geza, often seen on social media in military fatigues, has in recent months accused Mnangagwa of "betraying the revolution" and "aligning with criminal saboteurs".

He was expelled from Zanu-PF earlier this year for "conduct inconsistent with party principles".

Karembera appeared in court last week after his arrest, but his lawyer, Paida Saurombe, told the magistrate that her client had been severely assaulted and tortured during his abduction.

"His body bears the marks of severe abuse and he is in pain," Saurombe told the court, adding that Karembera was unable to walk unaided.

The court heard that the activist was abducted by men in unmarked vehicles last Monday, tortured overnight, and then dumped at Harare Central Police Station.

Prosecutors allege that on October 16, Karembera and others "still at large" conspired to incite public participation in Geza's planned protests, which were to take place the following day at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Square and Africa Unity Square in central Harare.

He allegedly distributed fliers in Highfield, Glen View, and Budiriro bearing slogans such as "Stop the looting," "Zimbabwe is not for sale," "7 billion reasons to march," and "One million man march."

The state claims he also recorded and shared a video message urging citizens to gather at Africa Unity Square on October 17. The fliers and video have been tendered in court as exhibits.

Karembera's bail application was dismissed by Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai, and he is expected back in court on October 28.

Another activist, Malcom "Traore" Masarira, a Zanu-PF member from Manicaland who operates a WhatsApp channel and X account titled "Chiwenga for President", was also arrested on Friday.

Masarira, whose channel has over 16,000 followers, has been critical of Mnangagwa's administration and the so-called "2030 agenda" - a campaign within Zanu-PF to extend the President's term beyond 2028.

He appeared before magistrate Sharon Rakafa on Saturday facing incitement of violence charges for allegedly encouraging public participation in the October 17 protests.

At least 10 war veterans have also been denied bail in connection with the same demonstrations.

The arrests come as tensions escalate within Zanu-PF over alleged plots to extend Mnangagwa's rule to 2030, a move reportedly linked to efforts to sideline Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga from succeeding him.

At the ruling party's annual conference in Mutare last week, delegates adopted a resolution endorsing legal reforms to pave the way for Mnangagwa's continued leadership beyond the constitutional limit of 2028.

The controversial proposal - known internally as the "2030 Agenda" - has divided the ruling party, with reports suggesting fierce resistance from Chiwenga's loyalists.

A leaked document titled the "Breaking Barriers Initiative (BBI)" outlines a detailed roadmap for constitutional amendments to extend the President's term by 2026.

Zanu-PF's Legal Affairs Secretary, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, recently accused Chiwenga of being behind Geza's agitation campaign, while Chiwenga's allies have dismissed the claims as an attempt to frame the Vice-President.

Political observers say the unfolding developments mirror the factional battles that preceded the ouster of the late President Robert Mugabe in 2017.

"The current wave of arrests reflects deep political insecurity ahead of 2028," said one Harare-based analyst.
"The party seems caught between managing dissent and containing internal power struggles."

For now, both Karembera and Masarira remain in remand prison as the security dragnet tightens - signalling a fresh wave of state repression and political paranoia in a country still haunted by its history of violent power transitions.