THE APPOINTMENT THAT SPELLS TROUBLE FOR DEMOCRACY

The appointment of Stephen Mutamba as Zimbabwe’s new police commissioner-general is not a victory for justice or progress. It is a calculated move by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to tighten his grip on power and continue silencing dissent. Mutamba’s rise to this position has been long in the making, and it reeks of political manipulation.

Mutamba replaces Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, who has held the position since December 2017, following the coup that ousted Robert Mugabe. Matanga was initially a placeholder, installed after Augustine Chihuri’s forced removal. Yet, Matanga’s extended tenure gave Mnangagwa ample time to prepare his loyal ally, Mutamba, to take over and serve the regime’s interests.

This appointment is not about leadership or competence—it is about allegiance. Mutamba is no stranger to controversy. His actions as a senior police officer have been defined by oppression, intimidation, and the erosion of Zimbabwe’s democratic processes. In 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on him for actively undermining democracy and propping up the Zanu PF regime.

The US government detailed how Mutamba used his position to crush political opposition and restrict basic freedoms. In 2020, he encouraged security forces to intimidate opposition leaders and suppress their activities. While Mnangagwa’s government enjoyed unfettered operations, the opposition faced unfair enforcement of COVID-19 curfews, blocking their ability to organize.

Foreign officials based in Zimbabwe were reportedly stopped from meeting opposition and civil society groups under Mutamba’s watch. His influence extended to the electoral process as well. In 2021, he allegedly worked to hide vote tallies from public display and advocated against allowing international observers to monitor the 2023 elections. These actions directly contributed to an environment of fear, manipulation, and mistrust in Zimbabwe’s electoral processes.

Mutamba’s new role as commissioner-general is deeply troubling. This is not a leader who represents justice, fairness, or the interests of the people. He represents a system built on control, coercion, and the survival of a corrupt elite. His record is clear: he has consistently put the regime’s survival above the rights and freedoms of Zimbabweans.

The timing of Mutamba’s appointment is also suspicious. While Matanga remains in charge until December 31, 2024, the overlap suggests a carefully orchestrated handover. Mnangagwa is ensuring that his trusted enforcer will fully inherit the reins of the police force without disruption. This is a continuation of the same playbook the regime has used for decades—strengthening loyalists while sidelining anyone who dares to challenge them.

What does this mean for Zimbabweans? It signals a grim future where repression will likely intensify. Mutamba’s history suggests he will not hesitate to use the police force as a tool to suppress opposition, limit free expression, and enforce the will of the ruling party. This is not the leadership Zimbabwe needs; it is the leadership Mnangagwa’s regime wants to maintain its stranglehold on power.

This appointment is not just about one man—it is about a system. It is about how Mnangagwa continues to manipulate institutions to serve his agenda. It is about how Zimbabwe’s police force, which should protect the people, is weaponized against them. It is about how democracy is being suffocated, one strategic move at a time.

Zimbabweans deserve better than this recycled system of oppression. They deserve leaders who value justice, equality, and accountability—not enforcers of tyranny. Mutamba’s appointment should serve as a wake-up call to all who believe in freedom and democracy. The fight for a better Zimbabwe is far from over, and the people must remain vigilant in exposing and resisting the regime’s calculated moves to entrench its power.

The world must also take note. The international community cannot afford to turn a blind eye as Zimbabwe slips further into authoritarianism. Sanctions are not enough if they do not translate into meaningful support for those fighting for democracy on the ground. Zimbabweans are resilient, but they cannot stand alone in the face of a regime that consistently undermines their rights and freedoms.

Stephen Mutamba’s appointment is not just a setback—it is a warning. It is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead, but it should also fuel the determination to fight for a free and democratic Zimbabwe. The people have endured enough. It is time to demand accountability and build a nation that truly serves its citizens.