As of today, February 17, 2026, the case of Godfrey Karembera, the Zimbabwean opposition activist widely known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, stands as a stark and troubling symbol of the state's crackdown on dissent. His supporters and family maintain that he is an innocent man, incarcerated for no legitimate crime, caught in the gears of a justice system used to silence government critics. This article chronicles the details of his arrest, the controversial charges against him, and the ongoing campaign for his release.
Godfrey Karembera, a 47-year-old staunch supporter of former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, is not new to confrontation with the authorities. His journey as an activist has been marked by repeated run-ins with the law and tragic personal attacks. In April 2025, his family home in Guruve was petrol-bombed by unknown assailants. While Karembera was not home, his 17-year-old son, Laxmore, was injured rescuing younger siblings as the family's property was reduced to ashes.
His history with the police includes a 2022 arrest for allegedly calling officers "dogs" and for wearing yellow clothing associated with the opposition CCC party. In a previous 2023 case, he was removed from remand after his lawyers successfully argued that the state was unfairly delaying his trial on charges of trying to deface a statue, highlighting a pattern of legal challenges that have ultimately failed to hold up in court.
The current chapter of Karembera's troubles began in October 2025. Police launched a manhunt for him, alleging he had fled during a high-speed chase while distributing fliers in the Harare suburbs of Machipisa, Glen View, and Budiriro. However, the circumstances of his eventual arrest paint a far darker picture than a simple traffic stop.
According to his lawyer, Paida Saurombe, and human rights organizations, Karembera was not simply arrested. He was first abducted by unidentified men in unmarked vehicles, tortured for several hours, and only later dumped at Harare Central Police Station. When he appeared in court, his lawyer stated that he was unable to walk unaided and that his "body bears the marks of severe abuse”. Amnesty International has previously condemned such actions, noting that attacks on opposition figures are "meant to intimidate political opposition supporters”.
The charges against Karembera stem from the planned "One Million Men March," an anti-government demonstration called for October 17, 2025, by outspoken war veteran Blessed Geza. The protest was aimed at President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing his administration of betrayal, corruption, and looting.
The state alleges that Karembera conspired to incite the public to participate in this unsanctioned gathering. Prosecutors claim he printed and distributed fliers bearing messages like "STOP THE LOOTING," "ZIMBABWE IS NOT FOR SALE," and "ONE MILLION MAN MARCH”. Additionally, he is accused of recording a video urging citizens to gather at Africa Unity Square and posting it on WhatsApp and Facebook.
His legal team argues these actions are simply forms of political expression, not crimes. When his lawyer challenged his placement on remand as unlawful, Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai dismissed the application, and Karembera was denied bail. The case has since become a legal quagmire. In a significant development just last week, on February 10, 2026, another magistrate, Ruth Moyo, was forced to recuse herself from his bail application after the defence alleged bias, arguing that Karembera had "lost confidence in the impartiality of the court”.
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Karembera's case does not exist in a vacuum. He is one of at least ten others, including war veterans, who were denied bail in connection with the same October protests. His detention is viewed by rights groups as part of a "fresh wave of abductions and torture" aimed at silencing critics of President Mnangagwa's alleged plot to extend his rule beyond the 2028 constitutional limit.
The state has signalled it may also use the controversial Patriotic Act, a 2023 law with vague wording that criminalizes conduct deemed to injure the national interest, which critics argue is designed to "enable abuse and suppress legitimate political organising”.
As the months in custody stretch on, the call for his release has grown louder. A recent opinion piece published on February 11, 2026, was titled simply: "Free Madzibaba VeShanduko: A man who committed no crime must not die in prison”. The sentiment encapsulates the view of his supporters, who see him as a political prisoner.
For now, Godfrey Karembera remains in remand prison. His fate is scheduled to be partially decided on February 13, 2026, when a new magistrate will hear his bail application. Until then, his case remains a powerful and troubling test of Zimbabwe's commitment to justice, human rights, and the freedom of expression.
- Vengai Mutsawu is a Zimbabwean based in the Diaspora. He writes in his personal capacity.
