Zimbabwean villagers arrested over TikTok protest videos

Four villagers from Mhondoro-Ngezi have been arrested for allegedly using TikTok to call for protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. The individuals—Campson Takawira, Tawanda Mabhande, Ireen Mudyanevana, and Miriam Koroni—are members of the opposition National Progressive Democrats. They face charges of participating in a gathering intended to promote public violence, breaches of peace, and bigotry.

The arrests follow the enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 of 2026 (CAA3), which extends presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and shifts the presidential election process to a parliamentary system. Critics and opposition parties have condemned the amendment for weakening democratic accountability. A magistrate recently dismissed the suspects' bail application, citing the potential for further offenses; they are scheduled to return to court on August 18.