A REGIME UNMASKED: THE BARBARIC ATTACK ON OBEY SHAVA EXPOSES ZIMBABWE’S AUTHORITARIAN REALITY

The vicious attack on Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Obey Shava has shattered whatever pretence remained of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s claims to democratic governance. This brazen and targeted assault does not exist in a vacuum—it is part of a broader, deeply disturbing pattern of political repression and state-sanctioned violence that has come to define Zimbabwe under Mnangagwa’s leadership. It is not merely an attack on one man, but a direct assault on the very ideals of justice, accountability, and human rights.

Shava, a respected lawyer and fierce advocate for the oppressed, has long stood on the frontline of Zimbabwe’s legal battles against tyranny. His work defending political activists, victims of state brutality, and marginalised citizens has earned him both admiration and, tragically, the wrath of a regime that views dissent as a threat to its survival. That he was beaten so brutally—targeted for his professional commitments and courage—shows the dangerous terrain in which human rights defenders now operate in Zimbabwe.

The message from Mnangagwa’s regime could not be clearer: challenge us, and you will suffer. This alone exposes the hollow nature of the so-called “Second Republic.” Far from embracing democratic reforms after Robert Mugabe’s ousting, Mnangagwa’s administration has doubled down on authoritarian rule, using fear and force to maintain its grip on power.

Obey Shava’s assault is a textbook violation of several principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. His right to security, freedom of expression, and ability to perform his duties without fear of violence have all been trampled. What is more damning is the absence of a credible investigation or official condemnation from the authorities—further proof of complicity, or at the very least, state-sanctioned indifference.

This is not an isolated incident. It fits into a disturbing trend of systematic repression: journalists harassed and jailed, activists abducted, opposition figures persecuted, and entire communities intimidated during elections. These are not actions of a democratic state—they are the actions of a government at war with its own people.

Under international law, particularly the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, crimes against humanity include widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, especially when committed as part of a state or organisational policy. The Mnangagwa regime’s continued persecution of lawyers, journalists, and political opponents strongly suggests a policy of silencing dissent by any means necessary. In this context, what happened to Obey Shava is not just criminal—it may very well meet the threshold of a crime against humanity.

If Mnangagwa’s government truly respected the rule of law, it would have swiftly condemned this attack, launched a transparent investigation, and brought those responsible to justice. Instead, its silence has been deafening, reinforcing what many Zimbabweans already know: the law in Zimbabwe no longer serves the people—it serves power.

This moment demands more than outrage. It demands action. The African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the broader international community must move beyond statements and symbolic condemnations. Targeted sanctions against individuals involved in human rights abuses, support for independent investigations, and protection for civil society actors must follow. The world cannot afford to be indifferent while Zimbabwe slides further into repression.

Obey Shava’s ordeal is a chilling reminder of what is at stake in Zimbabwe. It is about more than one man. It is about every citizen’s right to speak, to seek justice, and to live without fear. It is about defending the principles of democracy from a regime that seeks to crush them under the guise of stability.

The time for silence is over. The Mnangagwa regime must be held accountable. Justice must be served—for Shava, for Zimbabwe, and for the future of democracy in southern Africa.