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Written by: John Burke

Published: 31 March 2025

Hits: 157

• ZANU PF MUST GO
• Zanu PF Have GONE

Harare, Still Conflicting

Given the date, March 31, 2025, and the context of Harare, Zimbabwe, there are several conflicting messages and developments that make predicting today’s events challenging but possible to assess based on available information. Let’s break this down systematically.

Context and Conflicting Messages

There are reports of significant political tension in Harare leading up to today. A planned demonstration, described by some as an "uprising," has been called for by Blessed Geza, an exiled military veteran, demanding the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This stems from allegations of corruption, nepotism, and economic mismanagement, with some war veterans and political elites reportedly backing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as a potential successor. The ruling ZANU-PF party, however, has dismissed these calls as "delusional rumblings" and vowed that no protests will occur, with the government taking pre-emptive measures like dismissing a senior general and increasing security.

On the other hand, recent arson attacks in Harare and Goromonzi, confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, have heightened tensions, with some linking these incidents to the upcoming protests. Posts on X reflect public concern, with warnings to avoid Harare’s CBD due to expected heavy police presence, a weapons ban, and potential violence. Some speculate that clashes could erupt if crowds grow, while others believe the protests might fizzle out due to government crackdowns, with Geza’s allies potentially being arrested.

Additionally, there are unrelated but concurrent developments in Zimbabwe, such as the Chinese embassy’s donations of Boer goats and boreholes, a cholera outbreak, and economic struggles (e.g., civil servants moonlighting as vendors due to low salaries). These highlight the broader socio-economic challenges that might fuel public discontent but don’t directly predict today’s events.

Analysis of Likely Scenarios

1. Protest Activity and Government Response:
   • The planned demonstration is a focal point. Given the government’s pre-emptive actions—dismissing a senior general, increasing security, and issuing warnings—it’s likely that Harare will see a heavy police and possibly military presence today, especially in the CBD. The weapons ban suggests authorities are preparing for potential unrest.
   • However, the scale of the protests is uncertain. Some sources, like independent political analyst Elton Ziki, suggest that the "temperature" isn’t as high as it was during the 2017 coup against Robert Mugabe, implying that public turnout might be limited. The arrest of journalist Blessed Mhlanga and the crackdown on dissent (e.g., activists being tortured before a regional summit last year) indicate the government’s willingness to suppress opposition, which could deter large crowds.
   • On X, sentiment leans toward caution, with some users predicting violence if protests gain traction, potentially pitting ZANU-PF and police against war veterans, the army, and a divided public. Others believe the protests might be small and easily contained, with Geza’s allies being targeted for arrest.
2. Potential for Violence or Escalation:
   • The recent arson attacks in Harare and Goromonzi (on March 28) suggest that tensions are already manifesting in destructive ways. If these incidents are linked to Geza’s supporters, as some speculate, they could embolden authorities to crack down harder, increasing the risk of clashes.
   • There’s a slim chance of military involvement, as speculated on X, with some suggesting Chiwenga might leverage the unrest to challenge Mnangagwa. However, Mnangagwa’s recent moves (e.g., replacing the army chief with a loyalist in a cabinet role) indicate he’s trying to secure his position, making a military flip less likely at this stage.
3. Public Sentiment and Participation:
   • Economic hardship—highlighted by civil servants vending to survive, high inflation, and power shortages—could drive public support for the protests. The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference’s recent letter criticized the government’s focus on extending Mnangagwa’s term (the "2030 debate") as a distraction from real issues like unemployment and corruption, which might resonate with ordinary Zimbabweans.
   • However, fear of repression, as seen in past crackdowns (e.g., the 2015 disappearance of activist Itai Dzamara), might keep many away. The opposition, including figures like Nelson Chamisa, has been ambiguous about supporting the protests, which could limit organized participation.
4. Other Factors:
   • Weather in Harare today is reported as mild with light rain (16-25°C), which might slightly dampen turnout but isn’t a significant barrier.
   • International attention is limited, with no major global events directly tied to Zimbabwe today (e.g., the Brussels Airport strike or Hari Raya in Malaysia are unrelated). However, regional dynamics, like the withdrawal of SADC troops from eastern Congo, might indirectly affect Zimbabwe’s military focus.

Prediction

Based on the available information, here’s what’s most likely to happen today in Harare:

• Small-Scale Protests with Heavy Security: The protests are likely to occur but on a smaller scale than anticipated by Geza. The government’s pre-emptive measures, including a strong security presence and a weapons ban, will probably deter large crowds. Expect roadblocks, checkpoints, and a tense atmosphere in the CBD, with normal activities disrupted.
• Localized Clashes Possible: If small groups of protesters gather, there could be isolated clashes with police, especially if war veterans or Geza’s allies attempt to mobilize. However, these are unlikely to escalate into a full-scale uprising, as public momentum doesn’t seem to match the 2017 anti-Mugabe protests.
• Arrests and Suppression: Authorities will likely target known organizers or Geza’s allies for arrest, as speculated on X. The government’s history of cracking down on dissent suggests they’ll act swiftly to prevent the protests from gaining traction.
• No Major Military Involvement: While there’s speculation about military involvement (e.g., Chiwenga flipping), Mnangagwa’s recent consolidation of power makes this unlikely today. The military might be visible as a show of force, but a coup or significant intervention isn’t probable at this stage.
• Public Impact: Most Harare residents will likely avoid the CBD due to safety concerns, as advised on X. Businesses might close early, and public transport could be disrupted. The light rain might further discourage turnout.

Critical Perspective

The establishment narrative—pushed by ZANU-PF and government officials like Jenfan Muswere—downplays the protests as insignificant and portrays Geza as a destabilizing figure. However, this ignores the underlying economic grievances (e.g., civil servants’ struggles, power shortages, cholera outbreaks) that could fuel unrest, even if not on a massive scale today. The government’s heavy-handed approach might suppress immediate protests but risks further alienating the public, potentially setting the stage for larger unrest in the future. Conversely, Geza’s call for an "uprising" might be overblown, as the lack of clear support from major opposition figures like Chamisa suggests limited coordination.

Conclusion

Today in Harare, expect a tense but controlled situation: small protests, a strong security presence, possible arrests, and localized disruptions, but no major uprising or military intervention. The deeper issues driving this unrest—economic hardship, corruption, and political repression—will likely persist, keeping Zimbabwe on edge in the coming weeks.

London and Globally - The Diaspora

Zimbabweans who have lost faith in their corrupt military/violent regime need to get up and go to their local Embassies en-masse, no more procrastinations. It's up to the global diaspora to create a message of unity towards a democratic government - AFTER 45 YEARS of the One-Party-Lunatic Military Junta. The bloody revolution was 45 years ago and now is the time to put it behind - However Justice needs to be dealt on all those blood-thirsty lunatics who committed genocide. Gukurahundi needs closure - that means a lot of people currently within the regime - alive or dead need to be named, removed and punished!

Go and Protest this Black Colonilaist Regime - It cannot be allowed to continue.

ZANU PF HAVE GONE

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 30 March 2025

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• No more brutality

An Urgent Plea for Reason & Restraint

To the administration of Zimbabwe and All Citizens

As Zimbabwe stands on the precipice of 31^st March 2025, gripped by escalating tensions and internal power struggles within Zanu PF, we at ZHRO implore all state actors and Zimbabweans to pause and reflect.

The alarming signs of an impending violent reaction from the State, particularly the Police and potentially the military, threaten to plunge our beloved nation into chaos and bloodshed. Yet, there remains a fleeting window of opportunity to avert catastrophe. We beseech President Mnangagwa and his administration to recognize that brute force cannot extinguish the smouldering crises afflicting Zimbabwe. Like pouring petrol on a fire, such actions will only inflame the desperation of an already weary populace.

The Executive must ease its foot off the accelerator, for it is speeding toward a precipice from which all, especially innocent civilians, may plummet to ruin. By failing to steward the nation's affairs and safeguard citizens from economic-triggered instability, the current leadership has itself become a peril to Zimbabwe's stability and security. No amount of violence, nor payments to police, military, or youth to act as mercenaries, can remedy the dog-eat-dog circumstances into which Zimbabwe has descended. Arresting innocent people rather than the rot consuming our society will only hasten the end.

While repression of the masses in cities and towns may seem a convenient short-term tactic, neglecting the underlying causes risks unleashing a nightmare surpassing South Africa's xenophobic attacks or the Rwandan Genocide. In an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, neighbour may turn against neighbour in an uncontrollable spiral of killing.

If the State persists on this path, it may forfeit control over national security entirely, driving Zimbabwe into unimaginable chaos and loss of life. We demand constitutionally enshrined human security for all Zimbabweans now - a security that no number of boots on the ground or guns can deliver. There is still time to choose a different course, to seek enduring solutions over temporary suppression. We appeal to the patriotism of all Zimbabweans, within the regime and without, to pull our country back from the brink.

In hope and resolve,

John C Burke, ZHRO Founder

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Written by: Compiled by AI, John Burke and all those suffering in Zimbabwe and the diaspora

Published: 23 March 2025

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• Rape - a Zanu PF weapon
• Psychological Oppression
• The Subjugation of a Nation

Zanu PF: Rapists & Support Rape as a tool of Oppression.

So are all Zanu PF members RAPISTS?

In Zimbabwe, state-sponsored rape has been documented as a tool of political repression, particularly around elections, aimed at intimidating opposition supporters and suppressing dissent. This tactic has been notably employed during periods of heightened political tension, such as the 2008 presidential election runoff, to influence electoral outcomes and instil fear among citizens.

Historically, during the 2008 elections, reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and AIDS-Free World highlighted a systematic campaign of violence, including rape, perpetrated by supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party against members and perceived supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). These acts were often carried out by ZANU-PF militias, "war veterans," and youth groups, with evidence suggesting coordination by state security forces, including the army and police. For instance, rural areas that shifted support to the MDC saw concentrated violence, with rape used to punish and deter opposition activity. Victims included women targeted for their own or their families' political affiliations, with assailants sometimes explicitly linking the assaults to electoral choices, such as warning against voting for the MDC.

The psychological impact on Zimbabwe's citizens has been profound. Research, such as Lauren E. Young’s study "The Psychology of State Repression: Fear and Dissent Decisions in Zimbabwe" (published in the American Political Science Review, 2019), demonstrates how fear induced by such violence alters dissent behaviour. In a lab-in-the-field experiment with 671 opposition supporters, those exposed to fear-inducing stimuli showed significantly reduced willingness to engage in hypothetical and behavioural dissent, alongside increased pessimism and risk aversion. This suggests that state-sponsored rape, as part of a broader repressive strategy, exploits emotional responses to paralyze political opposition, making citizens less likely to challenge the regime even when they oppose it.

The use of rape also has gendered dimensions, disproportionately affecting women and leveraging societal stigma to amplify its effects. Reports indicate that victims faced not only physical trauma but also ostracization, with many reluctant to report due to shame or fear of reprisal. This compounded the psychological toll, breaking down community cohesion and individual resilience, further entrenching the ruling party’s control by silencing potential activists.

Electorally, this violence has skewed participation and outcomes. By targeting opposition strongholds and individuals involved in election processes—like polling agents in 2018, some of whom were reportedly raped or tortured to coerce compliance with falsified results—the state has undermined the integrity of the vote. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has been criticized for complicity or inaction, reinforcing perceptions of an uneven playing field.

Overall, state-sponsored rape in Zimbabwe has served as both a direct weapon against political adversaries and a psychological tool to suppress the will of a hard-pressed populace, creating a climate of terror that distorts democratic processes and entrenches authoritarian rule.

The Psychological Harms

The psychological impact of state-sponsored rape in Zimbabwe on its citizens, particularly in the context of elections and political repression, is multifaceted, deeply traumatic, and long-lasting. Drawing from available evidence and studies on similar contexts, here are the detailed effects:

1. Fear and Paralysis of Dissent

   Research like Lauren E. Young’s 2019 study ("The Psychology of State Repression: Fear and Dissent Decisions in Zimbabwe") provides experimental evidence of how fear, triggered by violence such as rape, reshapes political behaviour. In her study with 671 Zimbabwean opposition supporters, those exposed to fear-inducing cues—reflecting real experiences of state violence—exhibited a 50% reduction in willingness to engage in hypothetical dissent (e.g., attending protests) and a significant drop in actual dissent behaviours (e.g., signing petitions). This fear response is heightened by rape’s personal and invasive nature, making it a potent tool to deter political engagement. Victims and their communities internalize the message that resistance leads to severe consequences, fostering a pervasive sense of helplessness.

   Read more: Zanu PF are Rapists

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Written by: Inspired by FCDO and collated by John Burke, ZHRO

Published: 17 March 2025

Hits: 263

• SADC destabalised
• No Democracy in Zim
• Little Justice in Zim

List of Petitions Delivered since 18th August 2022:

Updated: 5th May 2025: Now 17 Not Out - and still to visit the Zimbabwe Cricket Team - 22-25th May 2025!

Added information regarding the 18th April 2025 - 45 years of waiting for Independence! Plus some Walk 4 Freedom activity-

In addition and very imporatant we have a UK visit (how ??) by Auxilla Mnangagwa - to pontificate about "Women's Empowerment, Impact and Resilience" - We smell propaganda and luandering!

The diaspora has been active in pushing for Zimbabwe's Justice, Economic Stability, Free & Fair Elections, Human Rights, Constitution and an Independent Judiciary for the last 30 months. However, intimidation, violence and corruption have still plagued Zimbabwe, since it was pointed out that Mnangagwa and Zanu PF would "DESTABILISE" the Region due to his upcoming Chairmanship - which indeed has happened - not that we are happy about it! As the regime often claims. The Diaspora are extremely patriotic!

Our contacts, within and without of Zimbabwe, all conclude the same thing - Zimbabwe is NOT A DEMOCRACY. It fails on every metric that applies to a democracy. Indeed, we have posited that there is only a masquerade of a democracy in Zimbabwe in several articles - some with the deep research assistance of AI {Twitter's GROK3 and the super 'slim' Chinese DeepSeek} CLICK HERE to read and CLICK HERE for Testing a Democracy by measuring how many days in prison do activists have to serve? Again, AI helps tremendously with deep analytical measurement and "considered" estimations - based on existing data!

But the most telling problem is one of Free and Fair Elections - let us never forget that the DIASPORA has not got a VOTE So the regime keeps on fabricating excuses as to why they cannot organise a diaspora vote - so we have provided examples of HOW IT COULD BE DONE! Thank you. Thus, our recent Electoral Reform Petition on the 5th March 2025 proposes a phone App based Block-Chain Voting system - for immutable and fast voting results. See that petition below in the grid of the events and petitions we have been involved in.

Again using AI, we have delved into the size of the diaspora and its potential to change Zimbabwe - whether internally or even externally see this considered debate by ourselves and AI - CLICK HERE on our ZEXIT Platform {as the separation of Zanu PF from Zimbabwe}

So, in summary the grid above gives a 'flavour' of the various activisms {and this is not all of the activity either} that we have carried out over the last 30 months - since our last visit to the FCDO {Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office}. Let us see what can be achieved over the next 30 months!