Human rights defender petitions police boss over crackdown in Mnangagwa’s home town

By Staff Reporter

Human rights defender and torture survivor Maxwell Choga has put together an open letter for police Commissioner General Shephered Mutamba over worsening crackdown on defenseless civilians in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home town of Kwekwe.

Copied in the letter is Mnangagwa himself.

Full version of letter below:

OPEN LETTER ON ALLEGED ASSAULTS AND ABUSE OF CIVILIANS IN KWEKWE CBD

Date: 27 January 2026

By:
Makesure Bambo Choga
Human Rights Defender and Citizen Journalist
Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

Addressed to:
The Commissioner-General of Police
The Office of the President
The Attorney-General of Zimbabwe
Human Rights Lawyers and Legal Practitioners

I write this open letter to express grave concern over ongoing reports of abuse, intimidation, and physical assaults against civilians in Kwekwe, allegedly perpetrated by private security personnel linked to a gold-rich individual popularly known as Magodora.

Residents report that individuals passing near this person’s residence in the Kwekwe Central Business District are being harassed and assaulted without lawful justification. What should be an ordinary public road has effectively been turned into a prohibited zone enforced through violence and fear.

On 24 January 2026, I personally witnessed two men being assaulted solely for passing along a road near this residence. They were unarmed, posed no threat, and were not engaged in any unlawful activity. The incident occurred openly and in full view of members of the public.

It is deeply alarming that some private homesteads in Kwekwe now appear to function as restricted areas resembling state security zones, simply because their owners possess significant wealth from gold claims. This practice undermines the rule of law and creates a dangerous precedent where economic power is mistaken for legal authority.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees freedom of movement and the right to personal security. No individual, regardless of wealth or influence, has the authority to restrict access to public spaces or subject citizens to violence through private security personnel.

I therefore call upon:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police to urgently investigate these incidents and ensure accountability for any criminal conduct.

The Office of the President to intervene and reaffirm that no citizen is above the law.

The Attorney-General to ensure that constitutional violations are addressed through appropriate legal action.

Human Rights Lawyers and Organizations to document these incidents and provide legal support to affected victims.

Failure to act risks normalizing violence, lawlessness, and fear within our communities. The people of Kwekwe deserve equal protection under the law, dignity, and freedom from intimidation.

This letter is written in the public interest and in defense of constitutional rights, community safety, and justice.

Signed,

Makesure Bambo Choga
Human Rights Defender & Citizen Journalist
Kwekwe, Zimbabwe