Zimbabwe's general elections are still months away, but many opponents say they are already battling a violent government crackdown similar to the ironclad rule of former President Robert Mugabe, who died in 2019. I'm here.
President Emerson Mnangagwa's administration has responded strongly to opposition to his rule, fueled by deteriorating economic conditions, with inflation exceeding 250% and the emergence of popular new political parties.
Among the victims of the government search network is Opposition MP Job Shikala, who has been incarcerated for about three months in the harsh Chikurubi Prison near the capital Harare on charges of inciting violence.
Fierce, his 50-year-old Sikhala says he has been arrested more than 65 times in his 20-year political career but has never been convicted of a crime, his lawyers say. .
Most recently, Shihara said he was arrested along with more than 20 other activists of his opposition Citizens Coalition for Change party, known as the CCC, in June, inciting violence following skirmishes with ruling party supporters. was accused as Repeated attempts to obtain bail for him and others were unsuccessful.
"The reason they weren't released on bail is because they [the prosecutors] know they won't be convicted. The idea is to let them serve," attorney Beatrice Mutetova said.
"They know there is no evidence to prove the case," Mutwas said, adding that the government's legal tactics were "legal" to undermine political opponents.
Criticism of the Mnangagwa government has been fueled by Zimbabwe's estimated highest inflation in the world and the growing number of people relegated to informal trade such as street vendors. More than two-thirds of Zimbabweans live in the informal sector, one of the highest rates in the world, according to the IMF.
Few among Zimbabwe's poor believe that the recent introduction of gold coins as legal tender will alleviate their daily difficulties.
Launched in January and led by 44-year-old Nelson Chamisa, his CCC party has attracted considerable attention and support. In response, police in Harare and other cities have banned gatherings of parties, as well as civic groups and church groups deemed critical of the government.
Dozens of people, including opposition supporters, political activists, journalists, church leaders, union members, and student leaders, have been arrested and put on trial on a variety of charges that legal experts call harassment.
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