Matinyarare thrashes Zanu PF govt over arbitrary abuse of citizens opposed to constitutional amendments

Rutendo Matinyarare, once a vocal defender of Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration, has sharply criticised the government over what he described as arbitrary arrests and torture of political and civic leaders opposed to Constitutional Amendment No. 3.

The proposed amendment seeks, among other changes, to extend the presidential term by two years.

Matinyarare said the unfolding human rights violations were damaging Zimbabwe's image both locally and internationally. Posting on X, he expressed disappointment that the same government he had spent years defending was now undermining the nation's reputation through heavy‑handed actions.

"As someone who has spent so much time defending the Zimbabwean government, protecting the image of the nation, and fighting sanctions imposed by the West, it's disappointing to see the image of the nation being trashed due to arbitrary arrests of opposition members who are merely debating a constitutional amendment that Zanu PF itself brought to the public for mandatory debate," he said.

He questioned why citizens were being targeted for discussing a bill that the ruling party had itself introduced.

"How can a few people tarnish the image of the entire nation just because they want to stop people debating a law that they proposed on their own, knowing that our constitution mandates the debating of the same law that they want?" he said.

"Why propose a bill if you can't adhere to what is required to pass it? Why did Zanu PF give us this constitution if it doesn't want to adhere to it?"