By A Correspondent

The democratic space in Zimbabwe is rapidly shrinking under Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Mnangagwa’s government, with growing concerns about the erosion of political freedoms.

Mbizo’s opposition MP, Corban Madzivanyika, was on Sunday blocked by the police from holding a feedback meeting with his constituents in Kwekwe.

The meeting, which aimed to engage residents and address local concerns, was abruptly stopped by authorities.

Officer Commanding Kwekwe, Enock Chishiri, cited the reason for the disruption as the police’s preparations for next month’s Independence celebrations.

“The police are preparing for independence celebrations, and as a result, no public gatherings are permitted at this time,” Chishiri explained.

However, Madzivanyika believes the true motive behind the ban is politically motivated.

He suspects that his vocal opposition to the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, which he claims is repressive and unfairly forces motorists to pay for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) licenses, has put him in the crosshairs of the authorities.

Speaking on the incident, Madzivanyika condemned the police’s actions, saying, “We expect officers to act in a professional and non-partisan manner. It is disappointing to see such tactics being used against those who merely want to engage with their constituents.”

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over the suppression of political space in Zimbabwe, where critics argue that the government is using the police to stifle dissent and limit opposition activities. Critics have long accused the Mnangagwa administration of consolidating power, pushing Zimbabwe closer to becoming a de facto one-party state.