POSTER WARS IN ZIMBABWE: CCC TARGETED IN NIGHTTIME VANDALISM AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

A disturbing trend has gripped Zimbabwe’s political landscape in recent weeks: the systematic removal and defacing of opposition campaign posters, primarily those of the Coalition for Change and Democracy (CCC). As the country moves closer to crucial elections, reports have emerged from across Zimbabwe of CCC posters being torn down under the cover of darkness—an act many allege is being orchestrated by ZANU PF sympathizers.

The CCC, a growing political force advocating for democratic renewal and institutional reforms, has seen its influence rise across urban and rural constituencies alike. But with growing support has come increasing resistance from elements who appear determined to suppress any meaningful opposition to the ruling party’s continued dominance.

In Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and other towns, CCC supporters say their campaign materials have been repeatedly removed or destroyed overnight. “We spend the day putting up our posters only to find them all torn down by morning,” one campaign volunteer lamented. “It’s intimidation, pure and simple. They want to erase our visibility, but we won’t be silenced.”

While the ruling party, ZANU PF, has yet to issue a statement regarding the accusations, the silence from its leadership has only heightened suspicions. The acts of vandalism, carried out in the dead of night and targeting only opposition materials, suggest a coordinated effort to hinder CCC’s visibility and outreach during this critical period.

These actions have drawn condemnation from civil society groups and regional democracy watchdogs. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum issued a stern warning, stating, “Free and fair elections cannot be achieved in an environment where the opposition is systematically denied the right to campaign freely.”

The CCC, meanwhile, has remained defiant. In a public statement, party leader Nelson Chamisa denounced the sabotage and affirmed the party’s commitment to a peaceful and transparent electoral process. “Our message cannot be torn down. We will continue to engage, organize, and campaign with even more resolve,” he said.

In response to the vandalism, CCC has launched the #OurVoicesUnsilenced campaign—a social media-driven initiative encouraging supporters to document and share instances of poster destruction and harassment. Photos and videos under the hashtag have gone viral, showing clear evidence of posters slashed, removed, or burned, often alongside untouched ZANU PF materials nearby.

The campaign has sparked solidarity among ordinary Zimbabweans and brought renewed attention to the issue of electoral fairness. “This is not just about posters. It’s about silencing opposition voices and manipulating public visibility,” said a political analyst based in Harare. “When citizens can’t freely access competing political messages, democracy suffers.”

International observers, including members of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have been urged to take note. Electoral integrity, many warn, is not only about what happens on voting day—it also depends on equal access to the electorate during the campaign period.

For now, the CCC continues to press forward, replacing damaged materials and increasing its community outreach efforts. But the party has also called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and police to investigate the incidents and provide protection for all political participants.

As Zimbabwe approaches a pivotal moment, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The freedom to campaign without fear, the right to political expression, and the integrity of the electoral process itself are all under threat.

The removal of CCC posters may seem minor to some—but it is symbolic of a deeper issue. It reflects a political culture where power is protected at all costs, and opposition is treated not as a democratic necessity but as a threat to be eliminated.

Zimbabweans must resist such trends. If democracy is to mean anything, it must start with the basics: free speech, fair competition, and equal participation. Tearing down a poster may not stop a movement—but it exposes just how fearful the ruling elite is of change.