This
secretive
dragnet
seeks
to
detain
individuals
who
pose
a
challenge
to
Mnangagwa’s
plans
to
remain
in
power
beyond
the
constitutionally
allowed
two
terms,
which
conclude
in
2028.
The
operation
also
extends
to
the
ruling
Zanu-PF
party
itself,
aiming
to
identify
and
eliminate
internal
opponents
ahead
of
the
crucial
congress
scheduled
for
2027.”This
is
part
of
an
effort
to
stifle
growing
dissent
ahead
of
crucial
leadership
renewal
within
Zanu-PF
at
the
2027
congress
and
the
subsequent
elections
in
2028,”
disclosed
a
source
who
requested
anonymity.
According
to
the
insider,
a
list
of
prominent
individuals
is
under
scrutiny,
facing
potential
charges
ranging
from
rape
and
murder
to
treason.
Notable
targets
reportedly
include
members
of
the
opposition
Citizens
Coalition
for
Change
(CCC),
a
party
that
has
gained
considerable
support
in
urban
and
rural
areas
alike.
Among
those
mentioned
is
former
Mkoba
MP
Amos
Chibaya,
currently
in
remand
prison
for
allegedly
inciting
violence.
Other
high-profile
figures
reportedly
on
the
government’s
radar
include
Tendai
Biti,
a
vocal
lawyer
known
for
his
critiques
of
the
government,
and
Joana
Mamombe,
a
young
opposition
MP
who
has
been
an
advocate
for
human
rights
reforms.
Job
Sikhala,
a
well-known
defender
of
civil
liberties
who
has
frequently
opposed
government
actions,
is
also
reportedly
under
surveillance.
His
previous
detentions
have
attracted
international
attention,
suggesting
a
renewed
effort
to
silence
his
activism.
The
crackdown
reportedly
extends
beyond
Zimbabwe’s
borders,
particularly
targeting
activists
in
the
United
Kingdom
who
have
organized
protests
against
Mnangagwa’s
regime.
Names
such
as
Munyaradzi
Boniface
Zengeni
and
Brian
Chikukwa,
alongside
a
growing
list
of
others,
have
surfaced
as
part
of
this
operation.
In
addition
to
established
activists,
several
student
leaders,
including
Takudzwa
Ngadziore
from
the
University
of
Zimbabwe,
have
been
identified
as
key
instigators
of
anti-government
protests.
As
the
government
escalates
its
clampdown
on
dissent,
there
are
rising
fears
that
these
arrests
could
mark
the
onset
of
a
more
extensive
campaign
to
dismantle
opposition
ahead
of
the
2028
elections.
Observers
note
that
this
operation
bears
resemblance
to
tactics
employed
by
past
regimes,
using
state
machinery
to
suppress
political
competition
and
silence
critical
voices.
Opposition
parties
and
civil
society
organizations
have
condemned
the
targeting
of
political
figures
as
an
abuse
of
state
power
and
a
direct
violation
of
democratic
principles.
A
CCC
activist
stated,
“This
is
a
blatant
attempt
to
muzzle
the
opposition
and
scare
citizens
into
submission.”
Mnangagwa
has
consistently
denied
allegations
of
suppressing
opposition
voices,
asserting
that
the
government
is
merely
enforcing
law
and
order.
However,
with
the
political
climate
growing
increasingly
tense,
observers
are
apprehensive
that
Zimbabwe
may
be
on
the
brink
of
a
new
wave
of
authoritarianism.