Fear Grips Zimbabwe’s Villagers Amid Political Persecution

Zimbabwe’s rural communities are gripped by fear. Reports from the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) paint a chilling picture of widespread political persecution, with villagers struggling to exercise their basic rights.

A significant number of these individuals face exclusion from vital government programs. In the latest report, over 2,175 victims were documented in September, with the ruling Zanu PF responsible for more than half of the recorded abuses.

Among the more disturbing revelations is the deliberate denial of food aid. Zanu PF units operate with impunity, marginalizing those who don’t support the party. Villagers are left to suffer silently, knowing any form of dissent could mean the end of critical assistance.

Many fear repercussions if they speak out. One woman in Buhera, who faced continuous exclusion from food aid, expressed her deep apprehension about seeking justice. She feared that even voicing a complaint could result in personal harm or worse—being ostracized or killed.

The ZPP has been at the forefront of documenting these abuses, month after month, cataloging the alarming human rights violations. The perpetrators remain largely unchanged: Zanu PF and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Their unchecked actions continue to instill terror in communities across the country.

A victim quoted in the report exemplifies this fear. “I fear that if I say something, how will I live in their area?” This statement reflects the deep-seated anxiety that has become part of daily life for many rural Zimbabweans, where the threat of violence lingers ominously.

Despite promises of reform, Zimbabwe’s human rights record remains dire. The 2017 coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe was heralded as the beginning of a new era. Yet, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the same patterns of abuse have persisted, much to the disappointment of the international community.

Mnangagwa and several of his key officials remain under sanctions from Western nations, including the United States. These sanctions were imposed for their roles in political violence, corruption, and the government’s inability—or unwillingness—to address these issues.

The ZPP report highlights a grim reality that continues to unfold across Zimbabwe. Fear, harassment, intimidation, and political discrimination dominate daily life. These conditions severely undermine citizens’ ability to enjoy basic freedoms such as free speech, assembly, and association.

Villagers living in Zimbabwe’s rural areas are at the mercy of a system designed to punish dissent. They are denied access to critical services, such as food aid, not because of need but because of political affiliation. This level of politicization of government programs has made life even more precarious for those on the margins.

This crisis isn’t just an issue of access to resources; it’s an issue of human rights. Zimbabweans should be able to speak freely and access basic necessities without fear of retaliation. Yet, many are forced into silence, unable to advocate for their own rights out of fear for their safety.

International observers and human rights groups have continued to raise concerns over the state of democracy in Zimbabwe. The ZPP’s latest findings reinforce the notion that, despite international pressure, very little has changed on the ground. The government’s commitment to real reform appears, at best, superficial.

For Zimbabwe to truly move forward, the government must address these abuses head-on. Political discrimination, harassment, and violence should have no place in a functioning democracy. Yet, as the ZPP report demonstrates, these are the tools used to maintain control in many parts of the country.

The world watches as Zimbabwe remains trapped in a cycle of repression. And for the villagers at the heart of the ZPP’s report, the future seems bleak. Without meaningful intervention, the same fear that grips them today will continue to define their lives tomorrow.

This ongoing crisis begs the question: What will it take for Zimbabwe’s leadership to prioritize the rights and well-being of its citizens over political power? Until that shift happens, the voices of the oppressed will remain silenced.

The Zim Bulletin