By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
As Zimbabwe prepares to host the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, a wave of crackdowns on activists and opposition members has intensified.
On August 7, four masked men attempted to break into the offices of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), a pro-democracy group in Harare, highlighting the dangerous environment for dissenters. Blessing Vava, CiZC’s regional director, suspects government operatives were behind the attack, noting, “It has been their modus operandi.”
Amnesty International reports that around 160 activists and opposition members have been arrested since June, often facing brutal treatment in detention. Despite these actions, SADC leaders remain silent, prompting criticism from human rights groups and political analysts. “The government is paranoid. It’s afraid of its own people,” Vava added. The silence from SADC, particularly from South Africa, has raised concerns about regional stability and diplomatic complicity. As the summit approaches, fears of further escalation grow, with activists bracing for more repression.
Source: Al Jazeera
