Democratic Alliance Piles Pressure On Ramaphosa To Reprimand Mnangagwa Over Harassment Of Opposition Members – Eduzim News

Tinashe Sambiri– South Africa’s opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to take a strong stance against the arrest of Zimbabwean opposition figures in Zimbabwe.

Tendai Biti, head of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), was detained over the weekend in Mutare alongside fellow activist Morgan Ncube while campaigning against constitutional changes that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term from five to seven years.

DA Member of Parliament Ryan Smith warned that the arrests reflect growing democratic repression in Zimbabwe.

He said:
“We urge President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Ronald Lamola to publicly condemn the detention of Tendai Biti and immediately open diplomatic channels with Zimbabwe to challenge this oppressive constitutional amendment.

South Africa cannot remain silent while leaders in the region suppress basic democratic freedoms and violate citizens’ rights.”
Smith further compared the situation in Zimbabwe to patterns seen in other African countries. “This is part of a worrying trend seen in places like Uganda and Tanzania, where opposition figures are being detained under dubious charges just to stifle dissent and weaken democratic institutions,” he added.

Biti and Ncube were charged under the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act for allegedly organizing a public gathering without notifying authorities.

Magistrate Honest Musiyiwa granted them bail pending trial, setting conditions including US$500 each, residence at their registered addresses, and fortnightly check-ins at their local police stations.

The DA has called on South African leadership to hold Zimbabwe accountable and defend democratic norms in the region, warning that continued inaction could embolden further political repression.

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