Harare- Political Activist Patience Mauluka, now lives in fear as she suspects that there are members of the Central Intelligence System that have been trailing her for the past week, suspecting that she could be behind the threats organizing a demo for the upcoming SADC Summit to be held in the capital next month
“There are two twin cabs that have been taking turns to mann my house and follow me whenever I go out, I suspect that they could be state agents, it is rumored that they suspect that I am the one mobilizing people to protest against Mnangagwa’s next chairmanship of the body,” said Mauluka
Mauluka claims to have spotted some of the men manning the house when she fled from the arrest of the 78 activists who were arrested for an Illegal Political gathering
“I believe they are state agents mind you when an arrest was made at Timba’s homestead the number was said to be over 80 but now it has reduced to 78, were do you think some have disappeared too, one of the guys that I saw there is part of the crew taking turns to follow me,” said Mauluka
Mauluka claims to have escaped the arrest that happened at CCC’s leader’s home last month, more than 80 people were arrested but the number has since declined to 78
Mnangagwa’s government has become edgy about reports of plans by the opposition and as of late has intensified a crackdown on activists and civil society groups
At a recent Zanu Pf meeting, Mnangagwa warned that his security would crush any protest against his government
Allan Ngari, the Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, urged SADC leaders to take a keen interest in what is happening in Zimbabwe.
“The government of President Mnangagwa is accelerating its crackdown against legitimate and peaceful activism ahead of the August Summit,” Mr Ngari said.
“The Southern African Development Community needs to engage with the authorities to take clear measures to ensure the enjoyment of basic freedoms by all Zimbabweans.
“SADC should promote respect for human rights by calling upon Zimbabwe’s government to end repression and the arbitrary arrests and prosecutions of activists and opposition supporters.
“The pervasive climate of intimidation and repression needs to end.”
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi denied allegations that any specific groups were being targeted for political reasons but confirmed that the law enforcement agency will be clearing the streets of Harare and the dormitory town of Chitungwiza of informal traders ahead of the SADC summit.
Most Zimbabweans rely on informal businesses such as vending for survival in a country where unemployment is as high as over 80 percent.
Authorities are said to believe that vendors who often roam the streets of urban centers would act as catalysts if protests erupt during the summit, hence the crackdown.
“We have Operation Clean-up Harare and this operation is looking at maintaining law and order in the Harare central business district and its vicinity. We are looking at the issue of traffic congestion, and pirate taxis,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
“We are also looking at any form of lawlessness and criminal acts. So the operation is targeting everything against the law.
“We are not targeting specific individual people or groups, but we acts of lawlessness” he said
