HARARE – A controversial Zanu PF-aligned vigilante group, calling itself the Zimbabwe Anti-Presidential Criticism (ZAPC), claims to have arrested a man for allegedly criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The group says the man is being held overnight at Mbare Police Station, though authorities have not independently confirmed the detention.
“Let’s stop criticising the president,” said a spokesman for the group, speaking to local media.
The incident has sparked concern among human rights advocates, who describe the actions as part of a growing pattern of intimidation against citizens expressing dissenting views. “Arresting or threatening people for exercising their right to free speech is deeply troubling,” said a representative of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum.
Witnesses reported that the man was detained in Mbare in the early evening, and that members of the group patrolled the area, warning others against speaking negatively about the president. Social media videos showing uniformed individuals surrounding the suspect have circulated online, fuelling public debate and outrage.
Political analysts say such actions highlight the increasingly blurred line between party-aligned vigilante activity and formal law enforcement.
“Groups like ZAPC operate with a sense of impunity, and this undermines the rule of law,” said Dr. Tendai Chikura, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.
While the government has not issued an official statement on the matter, the opposition and civil society organisations have condemned the incident as a threat to democratic freedoms. Some commentators argue that such vigilantism is a deliberate attempt to silence critics ahead of the next election cycle, raising fears of further politically motivated intimidation.
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with economic challenges and political tensions, incidents like this reinforce the growing discourse on civil liberties, state accountability, and the boundaries of political expression.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether formal charges have been filed, and it remains unclear how long the individual will be held.
