The upcoming SADC Summit scheduled for mid-August in Harare has faced escalating calls to relocate as Zimbabwe’s government continues cracking down on dissent. Widely known as the DA, South Africa’s largest opposition party has pushed authorities to move the event elsewhere citing a climate unsuitable for hosting under ongoing arrests of prominent activists as evidence.
The appeals followed the detention of human rights defender Namatai Kwekweza, a recipient of the prestigious 2023 Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize, at Robert Mugabe Airport along with three others—Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusumuzi Moyo—who remain in custody facing disorderly conduct charges. Additionally, the DA highlighted the jailing of opposition politician Jameson Timba plus 77 activists arrested for allegedly convening an “unauthorized political assembly” and denied bail despite horrific detention conditions.
“Moving the summit is essential to send a strong message against the suppression of democratic rights,” the DA’s statement read.
The DA argues that allowing the summit to proceed under these circumstances would endorse ZANU-PF’s abuse of international law and undermine the principles that SADC was established on. The blue party also claims President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s upcoming SADC Chairmanship is a testament to the continued failure of regional leaders to hold the Zimbabwean government accountable.
“Allowing the summit to proceed under the current circumstances will not only endorse ZANU-PF’s flagrant abuse of international law, but further undermine the principles upon which SADC was established. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s upcoming SADC Chairmanship is testament to the continued failure of regional leaders to hold these political thugs to account,” the DA in a statement.
However, South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC has dismissed the DA’s call and stated that the summit should proceed as planned in Zimbabwe.
“If there are any issues needing the region’s attention in Zimbabwe, they would be discussed in Zim, not away from it,” ANC spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi told the DA and everyone else who bothered to listen.
ANC rejects calls to move the SADC summit from Zimbabwe over a series of activists’ arrests.
Spokesman Zuko Godlimpi says if there are any issues needing the region’s attention in Zimbabwe, they would be discussed in Zim, not away from it. pic.twitter.com/gzwdEVEfzY
— newZWire (@newswireZW) August 3, 2024
Zimbabwe’s crackdown on opposition activists as the nation prepared to host the regional bloc in a fortnight has drawn criticism from international actors who have expressed concern over the escalating crackdown on dissent in Zimbabwe.
The United States Embassy in Harare, said the citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of expression: “The increasing reports of detention & violence toward Zimbabweans exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of expression & assembly run counter to the democratic principles upon which SADC is built.”
The United Kingdom also voiced concern over the arrests. The British High Commission in Harare said: “Following these developments and statements by the Govt of Zimbabwe closely. Ahead of this month’s SADC summit in Harare, we urge the authorities to uphold the rule of law, including constitutional rights to assembly and association, and to ensure due process for all Zimbabweans.”
The European Union also noted that the arrests were a violation of the rights of Zimbabweans. “We the Heads of Mission of the European Union in Harare are deeply concerned about the multiple arrests that have occurred over the last two months.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government insists that the arrests are necessary to maintain peace and order and that they are not targeting activists or opposition members. President Mnangagwa has vowed to clamp down on any attempts to incite violence ahead of the summit and emphasised the country’s commitment to showcasing a peaceful environment for the event.
“We will not allow mischief-makers to instigate violence,” Mnangagwa declared during a recent address.
