Association
High Court strikes down part of the “Patriotic Act”
On 11th June 2025, Zimbabwe's High Court struck down Section 22A(3) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act No. 10 of 2023, commonly known as the "Patriotic Act." The provision criminalised participation in meetings discussing or planning sanctions against Zimbabwe, imposing severe penalties such as revocation of citizenship, voting rights, and eligibility for public office. The court deemed this section vague, overly broad, and in violation of constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and association. However, the court upheld Section 22A(2), which criminalises participation in foreign-led efforts to overthrow the government, considering it sufficiently clear and necessary for national security.
While Human Rights Watch welcomed the striking down of section 22A(3), they called for the repeal of the entire Act altogether, noting that it contained other overly-broad and vaguely-defined provisions which criminalise human rights.
The case was filed by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and human rights activist Zenzele Ndebele, who argued that the broadly-worded law threatened freedom of speech and could be used to target dissenters and journalists. The ruling is seen as a significant step in challenging repressive laws and upholding constitutional rights in Zimbabwe.
Peaceful Assembly
On 17th June 2025, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) organised a peaceful protest in Mutare to submit a petition to the Public Service Commission to address urgent teachers’ working and living conditions, citing their constitutional rights to fair wages (Section 65) and peaceful petitioning (Section 59). The police responded by detaining nine members, including a nursing mother, sparking outrage over what ARTUZ described as harassment. The union called on the Police Commissioner General to intervene and plans to engage the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the International Labour Organisation to address these human and labour rights violations.
On 8th August 2025, three students from Midlands State University (MSU) in Gweru, namely Milton Muchayana (21), Anenyasha Moyo (22), and Langton Muhoma (22), were arrested and charged with subverting constitutional government and incitement to commit public violence. Prosecutors alleged that the students had distributed 12 fliers on campus inciting fellow students to oppose plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term from 2028 to 2030, with messages such as “Call for rebellion against 2030 vision” and “If humanity must thrive, then individuals are compelled to outmanoeuvre others.” Authorities also seized two mobile phones, a laptop, and a printer, which were reportedly used to create and disseminate the fliers. The students spent 14 days in detention before being granted bail by Masvingo High Court Judge Regis Dembure.
On 1st October 2025, 40-year-old Simangele Singa from Diki village in Hwange District, and fellow residents Definite Munsaka, Chetani Mathe, Lynette Zulu and Likwa Nyathi, were arrested after staging a protest against the Chinese-owned Zhongjing Helli Energy company, which they accused of extracting water from Kalope Dam without consulting the local community. After spending two nights in police custody, they appeared before the Hwange Magistrates Court on 3rd October 2025, where they were charged with obstructing water works under Section 118(1)(a) of the Water Act, disorderly conduct under Section 41(b) and public indecency under Section 77(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and were each released on $100 bail pending hearing of their case.
Expression
Journalist arrested and charged for satirical article
On 1st July 2025, Zimbabwean journalist and editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, Faith Zaba, was arrested in Harare and charged with “undermining the authority of or insulting the President” after publishing a satirical article in the weekly’s Muckraker column on 27th June 2025. The column described Zimbabwe as a “mafia state”, accusing the administration of interfering in the politics of neighbouring countries and being “obsessed with staying in power.” The article also mocked President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his leadership, particularly in his role as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Zaba faces a fine of up to US$300 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both, if convicted.
Amnesty International strongly condemned the arrest, describing it as an assault on freedom of expression and a clear attempt to intimidate the press. The organisation called for Zaba’s immediate release and for all charges against her to be dropped, emphasising that she was being punished simply for performing her journalistic duties. Amnesty further criticised the misuse of restrictive laws such as the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act to silence critics of the government.