Truth | Accountability | Democrac
October 23, 2025 | Harare,
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| Godfrey Karembera the only man who marched when war Veteran Blessed Geza called for a 1 Million Man march against what he termed "Corruption by Zvigananda" has been arrested. |
Prominent CCC supporter Godfrey Karembera detained following police manhunt; case highlights tense political climate
By The Insight Zimbabwe News Desk
HARARE – Outspoken political activist Godfrey Karembera, widely known by his moniker “Madzibaba Veshanduko,” is in police custody after a days-long manhunt, a development that has sent ripples through Zimbabwe’s political landscape and drawn attention to the state’s handling of dissent.
Karembera, 47, was arrested on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, according to police sources. He was wanted alongside fellow activist Kudzai Weston Saruwaka for allegedly distributing flyers in the high-density suburbs of Machipisa, Glen View, and Budiriro.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) contends that the flyers were intended to incite public participation in unsanctioned protests scheduled for 17 October, actions directed against the rule of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
A Chase and Serious Charges
In an official statement, the ZRP detailed that the two activists allegedly fled during a high-speed chase after being spotted distributing the material. They now face charges of contravening Section 187 (Inciting Public Violence) as read with Section 36 (Public Violence) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The use of these legal provisions frames the act of distributing flyers not as political expression, but as a potential criminal offence, a point of contention among civil society groups.
“This is a clear case of criminalising dissent,” said a representative from a local human rights NGO who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The state is using broad legal statutes to silence opposition voices and discourage any form of mobilisation.”
A History of Targeting
Karembera is a well-known grassroots activist and fervent supporter of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa. His arrest is the latest chapter in a history of confrontations with authorities.
In April of this year, his home in Guruve was firebombed in a terrifying attack that left his 17-year-old son with injuries sustained while rescuing his younger siblings. No arrests have been made in connection with that attack.
In 2022, Karembera was arrested for allegedly calling police officers “dogs” and for the act of wearing yellow clothing, a colour strongly associated with the opposition movement.
Allegations of Private Sector Involvement
Adding a complex layer to the case, unverified claims circulating on social media suggest the involvement of a private security firm in the police pursuit. Saruwaka has allegedly accused Tafadzwa Chidawa, the CEO of Matrix Security Services, of approaching the police with an offer to assist in the arrest of the two activists in pursuit of a business deal.
These allegations have not been independently verified by The Insight Zimbabwe or any other mainstream media outlet at this time. Attempts to reach Matrix Security Services for comment were unsuccessful.
A Symbolic Arrest
The arrest of a figure as prominent as “Madzibaba Veshanduko” carries significant symbolic weight. Analysts suggest it serves as a stark signal to other activists about the risks of grassroots mobilisation, particularly as the nation’s political temperature remains high.
“Karembera’s detention is a robust example of how political activism in Zimbabwe remains fraught with risk,” noted a political analyst. “It raises critical questions about the blurring lines between state and private security in political policing and the fragility of the space for civic participation.”
Unanswered Questions
Key details surrounding the case remain unclear. The precise content of the flyers and the evidence linking them to planned, unsanctioned protests have not been made public. The exact circumstances of Karembera's arrest by "government agents" also warrant clarification. Furthermore, the current status of his alleged accomplice, Kudzai Weston Saruwaka, is uncertain, with conflicting reports on whether he remains at large or is also in custody.
As the legal process unfolds, the case of Godfrey Karembera stands as a critical test for procedural fairness, judicial transparency, and the state’s tolerance for political opposition in Zimbabwe.
The Insight Zimbabwe will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
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