Zimbabwean man arrested for calling for overthrow of President Mnangagwa

HARARE — A 22-year-old man in Zimbabwe was arrested and charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government after he allegedly called for the overthrow of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling party, his lawyer said Monday.

Blessing Mhembere is accused of shouting at a bus terminus in Chitungwiza, a town south of the capital Harare, and urging people to “remove President Mnangagwa and ZANU PF political party from power” by any means necessary, including using guns, according to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, which is representing him.

Mhembere was apprehended by police and charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government and inciting public violence, the lawyers’ group said in a statement. He faces time in prison if convicted.

Zimbabwe has a history of arresting and prosecuting critics of the government, especially under the late former president Robert Mugabe, who was ousted in a military coup in 2017. Mnangagwa, who succeeded Mugabe, has promised to uphold human rights and democracy, but his critics say he has continued to suppress dissent and muzzle critics.