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#ZimbabweanLivesMatter is trending around the world.
If you don’t normally follow developments in Zimbabwe and want to understand what is happening, and why so many Zimbabweans both at home and far beyond are so angry and desperate, here's a thread with some background... 1/
If you don’t normally follow developments in Zimbabwe and want to understand what is happening, and why so many Zimbabweans both at home and far beyond are so angry and desperate, here's a thread with some background... 1/
In recent days/weeks, Zimbabwean security forces have arrested people across the country after thwarting protests intended to highlight Zimbabwe’s deepening crisis – @ZLHRLawyers say at least 60 ppl have been arrested in a continuing clampdown… 2/ https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/08/03/world/africa/ap-af-zimbabwe-arrests.html
High-profile arrests include author @efie41209591 & opposition spox @advocatemahere, as well as others such as student Panashe Sivindani, who peacefully protested wearing a placard while in a supermarket.
Some are out on bail but still face charges. 3/ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/31/booker-prize-longlisted-author-tsitsi-dangarembga-arrested-in-zimbabwe-this-mournable-body
Some are out on bail but still face charges. 3/ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/31/booker-prize-longlisted-author-tsitsi-dangarembga-arrested-in-zimbabwe-this-mournable-body
Two weeks ago, investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono – who worked tirelessly to expose a corruption scandal at the heart of govt – was arrested, charged w/ inciting public violence. He has not yet been granted bail. 4/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/24/zimbabwean-journalist-calls-for-fight-against-corruption-to-continue
The scandal related to valuable contracts for Covid-19 supplies – the Health Minister was sacked and faces charges of criminal abuse of office.
Hopewell shared much of his reporting on social – accounts that are now suspended...some is mentioned here. 5/ https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/06/14/BSR-Draxgate---a-case-thats-built-to-collapse
Hopewell shared much of his reporting on social – accounts that are now suspended...some is mentioned here. 5/ https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/06/14/BSR-Draxgate---a-case-thats-built-to-collapse
The home of journalist @Mathuthu – whose reporting was also essential in exposing the scandal – was raided on Thurs, and when security agents didn't find him, his nephews were detained. One went missing for days, during which he was severely assaulted. 6/ https://zimbabwe.misa.org/2020/08/02/zimlive-editors-nephew-tortured-and-dumped-at-place-of-residence/
And this kind of intimidation, sadly familiar to many from the Mugabe era, has increasingly become a pattern under the Mnangagwa regime – here’s a thread detailing some other incidents, including the shooting of unarmed civilians in Harare's streets. 7/ https://twitter.com/simonallison/status/1289231188549423107?s=20
Three opposition leaders – one of whom is a member of parliament – were abducted from police custody by suspected state security services after participating in a protest. Their accounts are horrendous.
Then they were arrested again for “lying”. 8/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/17/zimbabwean-mdc-activists-abducted-and-sexually-assaulted
Then they were arrested again for “lying”. 8/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/17/zimbabwean-mdc-activists-abducted-and-sexually-assaulted
But the anger and desperation felt by many isn’t just about the assault on human rights and freedom of expression.
Zimbabwe is also facing COVID-19 – but protected only by a collapsing health sector where many staff are on strike about abysmal pay and conditions. 9/
Zimbabwe is also facing COVID-19 – but protected only by a collapsing health sector where many staff are on strike about abysmal pay and conditions. 9/
A week ago, doctors at a Harare hospital said that seven babies were stillborn there in one night – from a total of eight C-sections. An image of their bodies wrapped in cloths shocked many.
Doctors described the conditions that led to this. 10/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53580559
Doctors described the conditions that led to this. 10/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53580559
The country has for some time been careering through a worsening economic crisis, with hyperinflation ramping up constantly and one of the most confusing and problematic currency situations in the world. 11/
If you haven’t spent time operating financially in Zimbabwe, it’s hard to convey how deeply the currency crisis affects everyone’s daily lives – and how much pressure and complexity it adds.
And time/cost – work-arounds take time AND cost money. Ordinary people absorb both. 12/
And time/cost – work-arounds take time AND cost money. Ordinary people absorb both. 12/
Zimbabwe also faces one of the worst hunger crises in the world. In April, humanitarian agencies warned that an estimated 4.3 million rural Zimbabweans need urgent assistance – facing prolonged drought, economic collapse and now coronavirus. 13/ https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/press-releases/zimbabwe-rated-one-worlds-top-global-food-crises-new-united-nations-report
I could go on – about fuel shortages, the lack of access to clean water for so many, power shortages, unemployment at such high levels. And more.
But to finish, I’ll share these pieces by two talented Zimbabweans that give good overviews of why people are so very desperate. 14/
But to finish, I’ll share these pieces by two talented Zimbabweans that give good overviews of why people are so very desperate. 14/
This, by prolific commentator and lawyer @wamagaisa, which also delves into the history and politics some more. 15/ https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/07/30/Why-Zimbabweans-are-turning-against-Mnangagwa
And this, by novelist @panashechig. “In Zimbabwe, no one can breathe.” 16/ https://africanarguments.org/2020/07/30/in-zimbabwe-no-one-can-breathe/
A final word from me. This thread isn't meant to be comprehensive – there is a lot of detail that I haven't been able to include.
But I've tried to collate coverage that delivers more information, while remaining digestible for those who don't closely follow developments. 17/17
But I've tried to collate coverage that delivers more information, while remaining digestible for those who don't closely follow developments. 17/17
