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Zimbabwe Belongs to Its People
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- Written by: Andrew Tinashe MASUKA
- Category: Diaspora
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Zimbabwe Belongs to Its People: Why Democracy, Accountability and Change Matter
Zimbabwe is a country with enormous potential. It has fertile land, valuable minerals, talented people and a population that has repeatedly demonstrated resilience in the face of economic and political hardship. Yet, for millions of Zimbabweans, the promise of a better future remains unfulfilled.
For decades, ZANU-PF has dominated Zimbabwean politics. The party has governed the country since independence in 1980. The question Zimbabweans must now ask is not simply who has governed the country for the longest, but whether the political system is genuinely giving citizens a meaningful opportunity to choose the government they want. Democracy cannot simply mean holding an election every few years. Democracy must mean that citizens are free to organise, campaign, criticise those in power and ultimately remove a government through a credible and peaceful vote.
The 2030 Question
The controversy surrounding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s extension to 2030 has intensified this debate. In July 2026, Mnangagwa signed constitutional amendments that postponed the next presidential election and extended his tenure to 2030. The amendments also removed the direct election of the president by citizens, giving Parliament the responsibility of choosing the president. Critics have argued that these changes weaken the principle that Zimbabweans should directly choose their national leader. (AP News)
This should concern every Zimbabwean, regardless of political affiliation.
A president should not remain in office simply because the political system has been changed to make it possible. The people should have the final say. If a government genuinely believes it has delivered for the people, why should it fear giving citizens the opportunity to decide whether it deserves another mandate? Where Are the Resources Going?
Zimbabwe’s Road Carnage
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- Written by: Munyaradzi Masaka
- Category: Zimbabwe
- Hits: 9
Zimbabwe’s Road Carnage: A Government Failing Its People
Zimbabweans are once again mourning loved ones killed in road traffic accidents. In recent weeks, a series of devastating crashes has claimed lives, left scores injured and raised serious questions about the state of the country's transport system and the government's commitment to protecting its citizens. The latest tragedy involving supporters of Highlanders Football Club near Mbalabala has added to a growing sense of national grief. Reports indicate that six people died while four others sustained serious injuries after a road accident as supporters travelled home following a football match. And the 4 ZNA soldiers killed as reported on 9th August 2026 {See Here}
This tragedy did not happen in isolation.
Earlier this month, reports emerged of another deadly collision involving two ZUPCO buses on the Harare-Chirundu Road, reportedly leaving seven people dead and dozens injured. These incidents should not simply be treated as unfortunate accidents that happen from time to time. They should force the government to confront a much deeper problem: Zimbabwe's transport and road-safety system is failing its people. The government itself has acknowledged the scale of the crisis. Transport authorities have previously stated that Zimbabwe records tens of thousands of road traffic accidents every year, with thousands of people injured and hundreds of millions of US dollars lost annually as a result of crashes. The government has also acknowledged the deteriorating condition of the country's roads.
Where is the accountability?
When citizens are killed on poorly maintained roads, when public transport vehicles
Gwayi-Shangani Dam
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- Written by: J C Burke
- Category: Zimbabwe
- Hits: 302
David Coltart asked a perfect reasonable question {but "fully loaded"} [twitter] regarding this project: "When will it be finished"? which led to many questions - and ultimately led to this detailed analysis and report
We asked: Given our experience with Civil Engineering Projects can you research: Gwayi-Shangani Dam project - Zimbabwe
- With reference to the 1912 concept
- With when physical works were started and relevant details
- History of delays, mistakes, collapse and contractors involved since physical works began
- Any history/evidence of Zanu PF corruption or any kind of interference?
- Recent propaganda claims by the regime or ongoing claims over the decades?
This is a rich and well-documented topic. Let me now compile a comprehensive, structured analysis for you.
Gwayi-Shangani Dam — A Comprehensive Analysis
1. The 1912 Concept & Origins
The idea for the construction of a major dam for the continually drought-stricken Matabeleland Region was first mooted in the early 1900s. An estimate of the cost of such a construction in 1912 was £6,000.
In response to the bedevilling water shortages, the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) was conceived in 1912, encompassing a dam and a pipeline. However, the project remained dormant under settler administration.
The concept was straightforward in engineering terms: the confluence of the Gwayi and Shangani rivers, approximately 6km downstream, offered a natural gorge suited for dam construction. The dam was planned with a holding capacity of 650 million cubic metres, as part of the NMZWP, which aimed to eventually pipe water from the Zambezi River to Bulawayo.
Voices from the Diaspora
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- Written by: Rumbidzai Thelma Chidewu
- Category: Blog
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Voices from the Diaspora: Zimbabweans in the UK Refuse to Be Silenced
As a Zimbabwean activist living in the United Kingdom, I recently stood alongside fellow citizens from across the UK in a unified demonstration of resistance, hope, and patriotism. We gathered outside the Zimbabwe Embassy to protest against the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill, commonly referred to as “CAB3”—a development many of us view as a serious threat to democracy and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans travelled from different parts of the UK, bound by a shared concern: the continued erosion of democratic principles and human rights in our homeland. Though we live in the diaspora, our connection to Zimbabwe remains strong, and we refuse to remain silent while the foundations of our nation are steadily undermined.
At the Embassy, what was intended to be a peaceful and lawful protest was met with resistance. One staff member attempted to shut us down, dismissing our presence and discouraging our right to voice our concerns. However, we stood our ground. We refused to be silenced. The Embassy exists to represent Zimbabwean citizens, and as such, it must remain a space where our voices and grievances can be heard.
Our protest was not only about the Constitutional Amendment Bill. It reflected a broader crisis affecting Zimbabweans for years:
- - The weakening of democratic institutions
- - The restriction of civic space
- - The intimidation of activists, journalists, and opposition voices
- - Persistent economic hardship affecting ordinary citizens
UK House of Lords Slams CAB3
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- Written by: Hansard Reports - 15th April 2026
- Category: CAB3
- Hits: 270
UK House of Lords Slams Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 as “Anti-Democratic” and “Profoundly Undemocratic”
London, 16 April 2026: - Full WEB LINK HERE
— In a significant intervention yesterday (15 April 2026), members of the UK House of Lords strongly criticised Zimbabwe’s proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill 2026 (CAB3), describing key elements as anti-democratic.
During an oral question session, Baroness Kate Hoey asked what discussions the UK Government had held with Harare over changes that would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stand for a third term. She went further in her follow-up:
“Does he realise that the constitutional changes proposed will mean that the people of Zimbabwe will no longer elect their president, the electoral commission will be abolished, judicial appointments will become very unsafe, and there will be many more changes, all of which are anti-democratic?”
Baroness Hoey also highlighted ongoing;
“brutality, beatings, torture and imprisonment” against opposition figures and civil society, calling on the UK to speak out more strongly against what she described as the
“tyranny of the ZANU-PF regime.”
Lord Callanan (Conservative) echoed the criticism, stating:
“These changes are profoundly undemocratic, extending the current presidential mandate and abolishing the elections…”
Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat) added that ZANU-PF’s justification for the changes showed
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