Former Minister reports death threats against him
Former Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jameson Timba, says he has received what he believes are death threats after unknown individuals allegedly left suspicious markings on the gate of his home.
Timba shared images of the markings on social media, claiming they were placed there by suspected Zanu PF activists. He said similar markings were also left at the residence of veteran academic and political analyst Ibbo Mandaza a day earlier.
According to Timba, the incidents appear to be targeted intimidation against leaders and members of the Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP), a grouping opposed to constitutional amendments that could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030 under the controversial “ED2030” campaign.
Timba is a long-time opposition politician whose career spans more than two decades. He rose to prominence as a member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), serving in various senior positions within the party. During Zimbabwe’s Government of National Unity (2009–2013), formed after the disputed 2008 elections between Zanu PF and the MDC formations, Timba was appointed Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office under then Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. In that role, he worked closely with Tsvangirai on policy coordination and government reform efforts during the fragile power-sharing arrangement.
Following the collapse of the GNU in 2013, Timba remained active in opposition politics, serving in leadership roles within successive MDC formations amid party splits and internal leadership disputes. He has consistently positioned himself as a constitutionalist, advocating for democratic reforms, electoral transparency and limits on presidential terms.
In recent years, Timba has faced repeated legal and political pressure. In 2024, he was arrested along with other opposition activists during political tensions surrounding disputed internal party processes and broader national protests. He spent several months in remand prison before being granted bail, drawing criticism from human rights groups who argued that opposition figures were being targeted through the courts. His time in detention further cemented his image among supporters as a figure willing to endure personal cost for political activism.
The latest alleged threats come at a time of heightened political debate over possible constitutional changes that critics say are designed to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his current term limits. Government officials have dismissed claims of intimidation in similar past incidents, while opposition leaders argue that threats and harassment tend to intensify during periods of political contestation.Political survival guide
As of now, there has been no official statement from law enforcement authorities regarding the markings reported at Timba’s residence. However, the incident has raised fresh concerns about political intolerance and the safety of opposition figures in Zimbabwe’s increasingly polarised political environment. *_-ZimEye_*
