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Big Man Syndrome
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- Written by: Genius Khatazile Mamwadhu
- Category: Regime News
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THE political trajectory of post-colonial Africa is often marred by the spectre of the "Big Man" syndrome—a model of governance where executive power is consolidated, extended, and perpetuated, often at the expense of democratic institutions and the popular will. The debate surrounding a potential term extension for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's incumbent president, strikes at the very heart of this enduring challenge.
While his ascent to power in 2017 was framed as a "New Dispensation" and a decisive break from the Robert Mugabe era, any move to prolong his tenure beyond its constitutional limits would not only represent a profound betrayal of his initial promises but would also cement a tragic continuity with the very authoritarianism he purported to dismantle, further imperilling Zimbabwe's fragile prospects for stability and prosperity.
The most compelling argument against any term extension lies in the foundational principles of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, a document born from a fraught but nationally inclusive process, explicitly outlines presidential term limits.
Section 91 stipulates that a person is disqualified from election as President if they have already held office for two terms. This provision was a hard-won victory for those advocating for institutional checks on executive power, a direct response to the decades of personalized rule under Mugabe.
- For Mnangagwa, who has repeatedly pledged his allegiance to the constitution, to seek or accept an extension would be an act of profound legal and ethical hypocrisy. It would demonstrate that the constitution is merely a tool to be wielded by the powerful and discarded when it becomes inconvenient, undermining the very bedrock of a democratic state and sending a message that Zimbabwe remains a nation of men, not laws.
- Furthermore, the political context of Mnangagwa's rise to power makes the case for a fixed term even more critical. He was not elected on a radical new platform in 2017; he was installed by a military-assisted process that ousted his predecessor.
- His subsequent electoral victories in 2018 and 2023 have been widely contested by international observers and the opposition, marred by allegations of intimidation, voter suppression, and judicial bias.
Zanu PF Failures
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- Written by: Directed by John Burke, Research by GROK 4
- Category: Corruption News
- Hits: 14
Overview of Corruption in Zimbabwe
https://x.com/i/grok/share/ssVZOi5iYV2XiTxXhgXuFPoXQ
Zimbabwe continues to grapple with systemic corruption under President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration, which has exacerbated economic instability, eroded public trust, and hindered development. Despite promises of reform since the 2017 coup, issues like currency manipulation, elite patronage, infrastructure neglect, and electoral manipulation persist. International bodies such as the IMF and U.S. Treasury have highlighted these problems, with the latter imposing sanctions on Mnangagwa and associates in 2024 for corruption and human rights abuses tied to elections. Transparency International ranks Zimbabwe 149th out of 180 countries on its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 24/100, reflecting entrenched graft in public procurement, resource allocation, and political loyalty schemes. Below, I break down the specified areas based on verified reports from credible outlets.
ZiG Currency Crisis
The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), introduced on April 8, 2024, as a gold-backed currency to replace the unstable Zimbabwean dollar, aimed to curb hyperinflation and dollarization. Backed by $900 million in reserves (including gold and foreign currencies), it initially faced a "crisis" marked by rapid depreciation, black-market premiums exceeding 50%, and public skepticism amid past currency failures. By mid-2025, however, the ZiG has shown deceptive stability: monthly inflation dropped to 0.3% in June 2025 from over 175% in early 2024, with transaction use rising from 26% to 40% of GDP. The IMF praised this in its October 2025 Article IV consultation, crediting tight monetary policy and gold export booms.
Auxilla - Diaspora Thoughts
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- Written by: Compiled by John Burke - ZHRO
- Category: Diaspora
- Hits: 726
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From: Lydia Makombe - Born in 1942! |
Date: 20th June 2025 |
Group: ZHRO |
ZHRO Protest Thoughts - on the 17th June 2025 Outside the Flair Summit VenueI travelled to London to demonstrate against the first lady of Zimbabwe's intention to visit the free world at the expense of the impoverished Zimbabwean citizens. I lost my property and loved ones to Zanu PF thugs and feel the Zimbabwean regime should be isolated by the international due to the atrocities they continue to inflict on innocent Zimbabweans. Myself as, Lydia Makombe’s presence, representing four generations, underscores the enduring trauma of ZANU-PF’s actions.
See me at the Auxilla Flair Summit Protest on Flickr flickr.com/zhro-uk/17-18th June 2025 Flair Summit |
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Backlash for Auxilla
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- Written by: Charles Kanyimo from Newsday Zimbabwe
- Category: No to Auxilla Visit
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Backlash as Auxillia Mnangagwa named FLAIR Summit’s keynote speaker
First published in Zimbabwe on 7th June 2025 in Newsday: See Original article
The upcoming First Ladies of African Impact and Resilience (FLAIR) Summit in London was supposed to be a celebration of women’s leadership. Instead, it has become a lightning rod for controversy. The decision to invite Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, as a key speaker is not just questionable, it’s indefensible, given how entangled she is in corruption scandals and human rights abuses back home.
For Zimbabweans worldwide, Mnangagwa’s inclusion is a bitter insult. The Mnangagwa regime, with Auxillia playing a central role, has presided over a period marked by political repression, media crackdowns, and the siphoning of state resources. Auxillia Mnangagwa was directly implicated in the explosive “Gold Mafia” documentary, which documented how Zimbabwe’s gold reserves were plundered through elaborate smuggling and laundering operations, enriching the elite while ordinary citizens suffered.
The United States Treasury has sanctioned Auxillia for facilitating her husband’s corrupt activities, yet here she is, being given a global platform to pose as a champion for women and resilience. How can the FLAIR Summit, which claims to empower African women and advance accountability, justify such a choice? The answer is as clear as it is cynical: the promise of prestige and powerful connections outweighed principle.
Adding to the summit’s credibility crisis, organisers widely advertised that Dawn Butler, a prominent UK Member of Parliament, would be speaking at the event. But after diligent investigative work by the Zim for All Foundation, it was revealed that MP Butler had never agreed to speak and refused any involvement with the summit. The same pattern unfolded with Barclays and the House of Lords. Both were listed either as partners or participants but later distanced themselves from the gathering after inquiries, exposing an attempt by organisers to inflate the event’s legitimacy.
Disinformation and Distraction
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- Written by: Catherine Lebadou, Human Rights Activist, CCC Manchester Branch
- Category: No to Auxilla Visit
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Disinformation and Distraction: The Curious Timing of a Zimbabwean Tragedy in the UK
A recent report from Gambakwe Media claims that eight Zimbabweans died in a car crash in the UK while returning from a graduation ceremony. However, the story has not been corroborated by any UK-based news outlets, raising concerns about its authenticity. Given the timing of this claim—coinciding with planned protests against Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa—it is worth examining whether this report serves as a distraction from critical human rights activism.
Auxillia Mnangagwa is scheduled to attend the First Ladies African Impact & Resilience (FLAIR) Summit in London. Her visit has sparked protests from exiled Zimbabweans, many of whom fled Zimbabwe due to ZANU-PF policies. Human rights activists in CCC argue that her presence at the summit is an insult to victims of state brutality, given her association with a government accused of human rights abuses and political repression.
At the same time, the UK government recently delisted sanctions against four Zimbabwean officials—Owen Ncube, Isaac Moyo, Godwin Matanga, and Anselem Sanyatwe—as well as the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI). These individuals had been sanctioned for intimidation, abduction, and violence against opposition figures. The timing of this decision has raised concerns among activists, particularly those aligned with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), who may challenge the UK government’s move.
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