When ZANU-PF claimed that tainted win on August 23rd, 2023, using every dirty trick in the book to retain control, a wave of anger and disappointment crashed over me – deeper and fiercer than anything I had ever felt before. Their manipulation of the election was so blatant and so cruel. Heartbreak wasn’t just mine; it was everywhere, shared by so many betrayed people! The thought of five more years under ZANU (PF)’s misrule was unbearable. It is still a tough pill to swallow; a nightmare that won’t go away.
ZANU PF’s ruthless grip on power is suffocating Zimbabwe. In its desperate bid to retain power, it has weaponized fear, crushed dissent, and stolen dreams. What we witnessed in the 2023 elections wasn’t democracy—it was a calculated, brutal hijacking of the people’s will. Fear and intimidation were palpable, as the true face of ZANU PF revealed itself – a brutal, oppressive regime that crushes dissent. Many Zimbabweans have fled, seeking refuge in greener pastures, but for those of us who remain, the struggle continues.
The recent incident involving Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusimuzi Moyo is a stark reminder of ZANU PF’s disregard for human rights. On July 31, 2024, these four individuals were forcibly removed from a flight that was headed for Victoria Falls from Robert Mugabe International Airport and detained incommunicado by state agents for at least eight hours. Their crime? Participating in a peaceful march outside Harare Magistrate’s Court. As they faced harsh conditions in prison, I felt a deep sense of solidarity with them, especially Namatai Kwekweza. The pain of the 2023 election still lingered, and I yearned to do something to help.
When I learned of their court appearance on August 5, 2024, I approached their attorneys with a desperate proposal – to stand in remand cells on behalf of Namatai Kwekweza. Though it may have seemed unorthodox, I was driven by a desire to alleviate her suffering. Unfortunately, the attorneys deemed it impossible, leaving me feeling defeated and heartbroken once more.
Zimbabwe needs a change. The current regime’s stranglehold on power is stifling the nation’s potential. New, capable leaders must emerge to challenge ZANU PF’s dominance and usher in a brighter future for the country.
In 2025, I decided to unleash my voice on social media, a platform that has proven to be a potent tool for change. I attempted to rally fellow former combatants, the ones who had once fought beside me for a free Zimbabwe, to join me in taking a bold stance against the government, but they were hesitant to take the risk. Undeterred, I collaborated with a film producer to record and edit a video that would shake the foundations of Zimbabwe’s oppressive regime.
In my first video, I directly challenged President Mnangagwa’s audacity in predicting that he would still be in power by 2030, reminding him that only God knows what the future holds. The “2030 slogan” was a painful reminder of the regime’s empty promises, and I couldn’t keep quiet. My message was clear, concise, free from hate and devoid of vulgarity – just the unvarnished truth. The video went viral, and many Zimbabweans, were inspired by my courage. Some people even thought that I was out of the country.
The chairman of the Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association drove me to meet Cde Bombshell Geza, who praised my video, saying it was a good move on behalf of the citizens. This endorsement by an elder brother bolstered my resolve.
However, the regime wouldn’t let me be. On January 2, 2025, I received a call from Mr. Peter Raisi, summoning me to Harare Central Police Station’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) department. I found Mr. Raisi with a certain Mrs. Gumbo and after a few preliminaries my interrogation started. The chilling interrogation was laced with threats, with Raisi repeatedly warning me not to repeat my “mistake.” But I knew I had done the right thing – speaking truth to power.
The regime’s panic was palpable, with Nick Mangwana, George Charamba, and Taurai Kandishaya falling over each other to defend ZANU PF’s crumbling fortress.
Undaunted, I released a second video on January 6, 2025, where I called out President Mnangagwa for his poor leadership and reliance on fear. Raisi summoned me again, this time with a heightened temper, and I was also grilled by Cde Sigauke, a liberation war hero. The message was clear: I have to cease my activism, or face imprisonment.
But I’m resolute. I’ll continue using my voice to expose injustice, even though I am aware that the journey ahead will be fraught with challenges. Zimbabwe’s future depends on our collective bravery in the face of oppression. We pray for deliverance from this nightmare.
A week later, Cde Bombshell Geza opened another front, launching a scathing attack on the president and declaring him unfit for office during a series of interviews with journalist Blessed Mhlanga. The government, desperate to maintain its grip on power, is silencing dissenting voices, criminalizing criticism, and destroying lives.
ZANU PF’s rule has dragged Zimbabwe into a pit of endless crisis. From broken hospitals to empty shelves, from stolen elections to dead dreams—we are a nation drowning in betrayal. Zimbabwe’s perpetual challenges have left many people wondering if we are cursed. But I know we are not cursed. We are oppressed, but not defeated. We are wounded, but not dead. Zimbabwe is full of voices—some still whispering, some crying out. And I will keep using mine, no matter the cost. I pray for strength. I pray for justice. I pray that Zimbabwe will one day be free. Until then, I will speak.