ZIMBABWE: HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK: A review of Zimbabwe's Human Rights Record 2018 to 2023 - Amnesty International - Zimbabwe
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Blockchain Voting Could End Election Rigging in Zimbabwe
For years, Zimbabwe’s elections have been plagued by allegations of vote rigging, manipulation, and outright fraud. Many Zimbabweans, both at home and in the diaspora, have grown weary of a system where the results often seem pre-determined by the ruling Zanu PF party and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Now, a bold new pilot scheme to introduce blockchain technology for voting among Zimbabweans in the diaspora could finally offer a way to break this cycle of corruption and bring democracy in a country that has been marred by corruption for decades now.
A History of Electoral Fraud
Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been dominated by Zanu PF for over four decades, with recent elections under President Emmerson Mnangagwa doing little to convince critics that real democracy has taken place. Allegations of ballot stuffing, voter roll tampering, voter intimidation have become almost synonymous with Zimbabwean elections. The ZEC, meant to be an independent electoral body, is often seen as little more than a tool for maintaining Zanu PF’s iron grip on power led by Emerson Mnangagwa.
According to Take 2 Zimbabwe, “The need for genuine electoral reforms is critical if Zimbabwe is ever to achieve a truly democratic process.” The article outlines key reforms such as “transparent voter registration, unbiased media coverage, and independent election management” all areas where blockchain technology could make a significant impact (Take 2 Zimbabwe, 2024).
While the country’s elite, those within Mnangagwa’s inner circle enjoy wealth and privilege, yet ordinary Zimbabweans are left struggling in dire poverty with below par infrastructure, as the countries resources are looted on an industrial scale. Unemployment is rampant, and economic opportunities remain scarce and failed government policies that throttle the masses. The disparity between the politically connected and the rest of the population could not be starker.
Can Blockchain Make a Difference
Blockchain technology offers a unique approach to voting that could address many of these issues head-on. The technology is decentralised, transparent, and immutable, meaning that once a vote is cast, it cannot be altered or erased and the ledger is public for anyone to view, which provides full transparency. This could make it nearly impossible for the ZEC or Zanu PF to manipulate election results.
With blockchain, votes are recorded on a public ledger, allowing anyone to verify the results in real-time. Unlike traditional systems where a handful of officials can skew vote tallies behind closed doors, blockchain voting offers transparency at every step.
For Zimbabweans in the diaspora, who number between 3 and 4 million worldwide, including an estimated 112,000 in the UK, this could be a game changer. Many of these Zimbabweans have been unable to vote in previous elections due to logistical and political barriers. Blockchain voting would allow them to cast their ballots securely and remotely, providing a stronger voice to those outside the country.
Other Countries Have Done It, Why Not Zimbabwe
Estonia has been using blockchain technology in its elections for years, offering a secure and transparent voting system. Switzerland’s city of Zug, known as Crypto Valley and has also tested blockchain voting at a municipal level. Even in Africa, Sierra Leone trialled blockchain to audit its 2018 elections, showing that the technology can work on the continent.
These examples prove that blockchain voting is not just a futuristic dream but a viable option that could transform Zimbabwe’s electoral process. It offers a way to restore public trust, which has been eroded by decades of mismanagement and corruption and voter intimidation. SOURCE: Link Here and HERE from the Financial Times re Estonia
Challenges and Considerations
Of course, implementing blockchain voting would not be without its challenges. Reliable internet access would be critical to ensure that all eligible voters could participate. Cybersecurity measures would also need to be robust to protect the system from hacking or sabotage. Additionally, new legal frameworks would be required to support this technology, ensuring that disputes can be resolved fairly and transparently.
A Step Towards True Democracy
If this pilot scheme proves successful, it could pave the way for broader electoral reforms in Zimbabwe. It might finally offer a level playing field, where votes count equally, and election outcomes reflect the true will of the people not just the wishes of a privileged few within the inner circle of Zanu Pf.
For too long, Zimbabweans have been asked to participate in a democracy that offers only the illusion of choice. Blockchain voting could change that, giving millions of Zimbabweans—both at home and abroad—a real voice in their country’s future.
The world will be watching closely. Could this be the first step towards breaking the chains of corruption and bringing about real change in Zimbabwe? Many hope so, and with blockchain technology, that hope might finally have a solid foundation.
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- Written by: John Burke
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The best laid plans! At the beginning of the week {after submitting the list of Petitioners to the MET Police Diplomatic Unit on the 29th January - and got all 6 approved) we had Shamiso Moyo, detained and in Yarleswood! and then Chief Ndiweni is offered a minor surgical procedure - on Thursday 20th Feb! And these days it's best not to say - "can we reschedule" - as it might be in 12 months time, or longer. Not to worry we have another scheduled petition submission for the 5th March - only 2 weeks away.
Chief Ndiweni And I organise a recording of his intended speech on Tuesday 18th. We create a timed web article to appear at 13:45 on the 20th to coincide with the speeches on the day. The article is a written transcript and an audio embedded file so the recipient can hear the message too. It appears on our ZEXIT platform, in a section entitled "Chief Ndiweni's Diary"! Charles Kanyimo also writes and excellent article too - concerning Electoral Reform - something we will champion on the 5th March 2025. But we did not wish to publish before the 20th Feb petition had been delivered! So again we created a timed future publication - to appear at 14:30 on the 20th Feb. 2025 I hope ypou are all following this!
On the Wednesday night I look up the weather forecasts for home and central London - 70-90% chance of RAIN!!
Fortunately at 7:00 am on the Thursday 20th Feb - although very gloomy, and the ground was wet, it looked as if the rain had stopped. As indeed we did not get another drop until is started spitting at 3:00pm - after we had finished - as we use an ink-jet printer - any rain could literally wash away our arguments!
Arrived at Victoria Train Station at 11:30am. My heart-felt sympathies go to Josephine Jenje (one of our organisers) who messaged me to say she was on the Night Bus to London - so she could arrive on the Thursday morning of the 20th Feb - that's preparation indeed! I walk to The Zimbabwe Embassy, and nearly there, just catch the eye of Dickson Chikwizo (another organiser) as he passes me head down, who was going to get something to eat!
First there, and leaning in the doorway to the Zimbabwe Embassy is our old friend Peter Sidindi (in his very 'offical' looking peaked cap with Red Band - see Flickr images} - who I have not seen for a quite a few years. In fact several "old faces" appear over the next 30 minutes. So we start taking photos and the odd video too. You can see the whole day on our Flickr Platform - which now that stands at over 150 images [CLICK HERE to VIEW}. We meet up with a lot of well known faces from the past - and a great many new faces too.
Outside the Zimbabwe Embassy we meet with Tatenda Changambika, Ullbile M Nkwate {on X as @NkwateUlib17272}, Heath Simbarasche {on X as @SimbaHeath} and Shorayi Spencer Guzha all sent by Stanford Biti on behalf of CCC Southend Branch. Then we are introduced to Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu (and her 'secretive' daughter), [Nolanga has quite a pedigree in ROHR, CCC and one time former Bulawayo regional board member of ZimRights - now a newly minted ZHRO member too.]. Lots more Zimbabweans were arriving at this time too.
Just then, and out of the blue, as it were, the State Mercedes with a ZIM 1 number plate arrives - difficult to see who is in it due to the tinted windows (to hide the guilty we suspect}. However, an oriental looking chauffeur gets out and opens the rear door, and out pops a skeletal looking old Ambassador in his blue Crombie Coat and a stylish Dark Fedora Hat! Ex-Colonel Christain Katsande himself.
Then in all the most spontaneous outpouring Rudo Yvonne Dodzo starts with a protest song - with all the other Zimbabweans joining in! it was absolutely brilliant: hatidi zvekupiwa order nema sasikamu (we don’t want to be ordered around by lunatics/saskam). The video of this event is also on our Flickr Platform - please view and listen to it HERE it was so good we also put it on Twitter/X {HERE} as did Thabo Makuyana {HERE}.
Not long after that hilarious skit we set off towards Trafalgar Square, to Whitehall to arrive under the gaze of Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery - opposite the entrance to Downing Street - our ultimate destination. Here we organised ourselves for speeches, and whilst those were being spoken {including the message from Chief Ndiweni as referred to above} 4 of us went to present ourselves to the security of Downing Street MET Police Diplomatic Unit.
for Diana Machingauta, Rudo Yvonne Dodzo and Tawanda Matangambiri, it was an "eye opener" as all the Police inside the security gates were so friendly - posing for photographs and even taking pictures of us with our own mobile phones. The Police were smiling, they were jovial and honest. Even though the officer who accompanied us to the door of 10 Downing Street had a side arm, a 'tazer', stab vest and all that equipment - there was no threat! He was just a guy doing a job. Not like the Zimbabwe Police. The chap inside Downing Street was neat and tidy, his boots were shiny and black - his uniform well looked after.
We posed for photos at the famous doorway to Number 10 Downing Street - with the brass Letter box with the words "First Lord of the Treasury" the Official Historic Title of the Prime Minister. Next door - The Chancellor of the Exchequer has another title of "Second Lord of the Treasury" - so much history since 1682. So what was our purpose, what did we deliver to the PM on the 20th February 2025 - Well you Can Read it yourself HERE - CLICK for Petition Read/Or Download - opens in a new Window.
Now whilst some of us were playing at 'knocking on the door to 10 Downing Street', the rest of the activists were conducting speeches to continue with the general protest we had started that day. Several videos are now showing on Twitter
- See Josephine Jenje HERE,
- Tatenda Changambika HERE,
- Dickson Chikwizo HERE,
- Boniface Zengeni HERE
- Peter Sidindi HERE and
- Nobukhosi Dube [Twitter: @khosiedee22] HERE at these individual links;
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Electoral Reforms: Zimbabwe Opposition’s Urgent Priority
Linked HERE to Physical Petition as handed into 10 Downing Street and e-mailed to FCDO
With the ruling ZANU PF party embroiled in internal factional battles, the political scene in Zimbabwe is approaching interesting times. Unfortunately, the opposition is focused on the fallout within ZANU PF while the most urgent issue—electoral reform—is being sidelined. Without fundamental changes to the electoral system, the next election is likely to be another manipulated process that keeps ZANU PF in power against the will of the people, whether it’s Mnangagwa or Chiwenga at the helm.
The 2023 elections once again exposed how the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) operate as an extension of ZANU PF rather than an independent election body. The opposition lost largely because of a compromised voters’ roll, which was never properly audited, making it easy for ghost voters and irregular registrations to benefit the ruling party. Gerrymandering also played a role, with constituency boundaries altered to favor ZANU PF.
State-sponsored voter intimidation was another major factor. The presence of FAZ (Forever Associates Zimbabwe), a ZANU PF-linked group that effectively acted as an extension of the intelligence services, created a climate of fear at polling stations. Many rural voters were subjected to assisted voting, where they were pressured into casting ballots for the ruling party. Reports of ballot stuffing and vote tampering were ignored by ZEC, which refused to act on any complaints raised by the opposition.
Despite overwhelming evidence of a rigged process, ZEC declared the elections free and fair, reinforcing the reality that it is not a neutral institution. The opposition must stop treating ZEC as a legitimate electoral body and instead demand its complete disbandment. There is no point in participating in elections run by an institution that is designed to keep ZANU PF in power.
For decades, ZANU PF has blocked meaningful electoral reforms because they know that a free and fair election would likely result in their removal from power. They have refused to allow independent audits of the voters’ roll, manipulated electoral laws to ensure ZEC remains under government control, and used state institutions like the police and judiciary to suppress opposition campaigns and protests. ZANU PF party has also relied on intimidation and violence to discourage voter participation, particularly in rural areas where they enforce their control through traditional leaders.
Their resistance to reform is an admission that they cannot win a democratic election without rigging. This is why the opposition must stop getting distracted by ZANU PF’s internal conflicts and instead focus on mobilizing for electoral reforms. The real fight is not about who takes over within ZANU PF—it is about ensuring that the electoral system no longer allows them to manipulate elections.
ZANU PF has been pushing for Zimbabwe’s re-admission into the Commonwealth, hoping to regain unlikely international legitimacy. However, the Commonwealth must not grant Zimbabwe this privilege without concrete electoral reforms. Re-admitting Zimbabwe without fixing its deeply flawed electoral system would be a betrayal of democratic values.
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Although the regime stooges are claiming "it's just a 'drill" - it looks like a power play mark 2. In November 2017 the regime staged the removal of Mugabe and the replacement by his henchman, Mnangagwa. Are we seeing any simalrities today with these armoured vehicles moving in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe?
Initial indications do not seem favourable. Despite curious posts by the regime apologists.
Twitter is alive with video and photos
"" Zimbabwe—This morning, residents of Harare woke up to the startling sight of military tanks rolling through the city’s streets. The display of military force comes amidst a backdrop of internal squabbles within the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The power struggle within the party has led to heightened tensions and uncertainty throughout the nation.""
""Sources within ZANU-PF report that factionalism and disagreements over leadership and policy directions have reached a boiling point. The internal discord has been brewing for months, with various factions vying for control and influence. The arrival of military tanks in the capital city has raised concerns about the potential for escalation and violence.""
""The internal disputes are not only confined to the ruling party but have also permeated the nation at large. One of the key points of contention is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desire to extend his term unconstitutionally to 2030. This ambition has been met with significant opposition within ZANU-PF and among the general populace.""
""Critics argue that Mnangagwa’s plan to extend his rule is a blatant disregard for the constitution and democratic principles. They contend that the focus on maintaining power detracts from addressing pressing domestic issues such as economic instability, unemployment, and corruption. The unpopularity of Mnangagwa’s agenda has further fueled the discontent within ZANU-PF, as factions debate the best course of action for the country’s future."" SOURCE CCC Southend, UK
""Unfortunately any outcome that maintains ZANU PF as the center of power will not change the people's disillusionment with our troubled post-independence experience. In Shona we say "Makudo ndemamwe" which simply means baboons are the same. It's pointless replacing one baboon with another. An exercise in futility. The problem is ZANU PF of which the military is actually an appendage. Our real solution should come from external military intervention. We need a regional or international force to strongarm ZANU PF out of power. Few internal remedies can work against the fascist regime in Harare."" Another Harare SOURCE
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ZIMBABWE finds itself at yet another critical crossroads. See Article on Newsday {Click Here} Check Out Charles Kanyimo on Twitter/X
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is manoeuvring to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional limit, aiming to remain in power until 2030. With a big portion of his own party against it, this move echoes the failed attempt by Grace Mugabe to seize control prior to the 2017 military intervention. Just as Grace’s ambitions caused political instability, Mnangagwa’s efforts risk further destabilising both ZANU-PF and the country, reigniting fears of authoritarian rule. {see additional Articles - CLICK HERE}
Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, the government is attempting to override the country’s constitution, which was carefully crafted to ensure peaceful political transitions. This bold, audacious push is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law, further entrenching corruption and misrule. For a nation already grappling with economic collapse, hyperinflation, and widespread poverty, this move is a betrayal of the hopes Zimbabweans had for a brighter future. {in addition ZAPU President M S Nkomo has made his Party's Position clear in their article and a Press Conference CLICK HERE to read}
Prominent journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono has been one of the loudest voices condemning this unconstitutional effort. He has called the plan “a clear assault on the democratic aspirations of Zimbabweans,” describing Mnangagwa’s government as;
“a personal fiefdom, ruled by a corrupt mafia.”
These charges are not unfounded. Under Mnangagwa’s rule, Zimbabwe’s government has become synonymous with looting, nepotism, and harsh repression. The president and his inner circle—his family included—have enriched themselves by plundering the nation’s resources, while ordinary Zimbabweans struggle daily. The push to amend the constitution is not about governance or national stability, but rather about consolidating power and continuing the systematic looting of the country’s wealth.
When Mnangagwa took power in 2017 after the coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, many Zimbabweans were hopeful. They believed a new era of reform, economic revival, and democracy had arrived. But nearly eight years into his presidency, it is clear that Mnangagwa’s government is no different—if not worse—than the one it replaced.
The 2013 constitution, which was adopted following a national referendum, represents one of Zimbabwe’s most significant democratic milestones. It limits the presidency to two five-year terms, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. Yet, Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule until 2030 would turn the constitution into an instrument of oppression, instead of a safeguard of democracy.
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"The current water and sanitation situation in Zimbabwe faces many challenges around capacity, behaviours and the lack of investment in these sectors during and after the economic crisis of the last decade. Access to clean water is a basic right that is important for the survival of humanity yet it can be one of the hardest resources to attain." UNICEF.ORG