Promise Munkuli, a 34-year-old community activist from Hwange, currently sits behind bars after authorities arrested him over the weekend and charged him with inciting voilence. The opposition activist is accused of rallying locals to protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa who will be assuming the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at the upcoming summit.
Munkuli appeared before Magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa on Monday facing charges under Section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. Prosecutors allege that Munkuli formed a WhatsApp group called “Chamisa Restructuring” and utilized it to motivate subscribers to travel to Harare and participate in demonstrations contesting Mnangagwa’s appointment to lead SADC.
The defendant was taken into custody last Saturday and remanded in prison until August 19, 2024. His counsel, Linda Mthombeni from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), disputed the remand determination but the magistrate dismissed the application.
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.
The arrest occurs amidst heightened security concerns surrounding the imminent SADC summit, with government officials issuing stern warnings to anyone intending to disrupt the event. Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe has declared that the security forces will decisively deal with any individuals engaging in unlawful acts during the summit.
“If there is someone who is planning lawlessness during the SADC summit be warned that the security sector will deal with you accordingly. The President said we should be peaceful and welcome our visitors cheerfully,” he said.
While the government maintained their tough rhetoric would discourage protest, many activists remained resolute in voicing their dissenting opinions during the upcoming summit. Multiple opposition factions and groups championing political and social change, further galvanized by perceptions of unfairness surrounding Mnangagwa’s victory, were committed to leveraging the international platform to amplify their wide-ranging grievances.
On the other hand, Zanu PF says they are ready to deal with anyone who misbehaves.
“We are tried and tested. We are ready to deal with any subversiveness…decidedly. We are waiting for the signal,” said Farai Marapira in a thinly veiled threat to opposition parties planning protests. He is the Zanu PF Director of Information.
