In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s political landscape, the High Court in Harare has denied bail to 73 members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), including prominent opposition leader and former minister Jameson Timba. The group was arrested last month following a peaceful gathering in Harare, accused by the state of planning protests aimed at destabilizing the government ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit scheduled for August 17.

Justice Munamato Mutevedzi’s decision to uphold the lower court’s ruling confirms what many Zimbabweans have feared for weeks: the state is intensifying its efforts to crush dissent as it prepares to host a major regional event. Of the 74 detained, only one, Maxwell Sande, was granted bail on account of his age. The rest remain behind bars.

According to the judge, there was no fault in the magistrate’s initial decision, and he emphasized that the magistrate had “judiciously exercised discretion.” But this legal language masks a much deeper issue—Zimbabwe’s political and judicial systems are increasingly being used as tools of oppression. The denial of bail to 73 citizens, most of whom are young, unemployed, and from poor urban suburbs like Chitungwiza, Epworth, and Hatcliffe, signals a government deeply afraid of its own people.

What was the crime? Attending a private braai to commemorate the Soweto Uprising. The state claims it was an “unlawful gathering.” But this narrative has been widely rejected by opposition groups, human rights organizations, and ordinary citizens who see it as yet another example of ZANU PF using security laws to punish political opponents.

The High Court’s ruling comes amid growing tension in the country, especially as images from recent protests in Kenya continue to inspire youth movements across Africa. The government’s fear is clear—it does not want Zimbabwe’s young people, most of whom are jobless and hopeless, to rise up. And so it is doing everything possible to crush even the smallest spark of resistance.

This isn’t just about 73 CCC members. It’s about the message being sent to millions of Zimbabweans: speak out and you will be jailed. Organize peacefully and you will be labelled a threat to national security. Participate in opposition politics and the courts will not protect you.

The most chilling part of the judgment is how openly the court linked bail denial to political affiliation. The judge noted that the appellants are CCC members—a legal political party. In a functioning democracy, political affiliation should never be grounds for punishment. Yet here, it has been used to justify pre-trial detention. That is dangerous. It sets a precedent that simply being part of the opposition is enough to lose your basic rights.

What makes this more alarming is the context. Zimbabwe is hosting the SADC summit in just a few weeks. The regime wants to project stability and legitimacy. But this crackdown exposes the lie. You cannot jail 73 people for gathering peacefully and still claim to be democratic. You cannot crush opposition while trying to lead a regional body that claims to stand for peace and human rights.

Justice in Zimbabwe is now being weighed not on the scales of law, but on the whims of power. These young people—many barely in their twenties—are being held not because they are dangerous, but because they dared to believe in a better future.

The international community must not stay silent. SADC leaders must speak up. Human rights organizations must increase pressure. Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to slide deeper into repression while hiding behind regional summits and diplomatic ceremonies.

This is a defining moment for Zimbabwe. Will we be a nation that jails its youth for gathering? A nation that punishes peaceful commemoration? Or will we stand up and say enough?

For now, the 73 CCC members remain in prison. Their only crime: daring to hope, daring to gather, daring to speak.

But hope cannot be jailed forever. And one day, those behind bars will be remembered as the ones who stood for freedom when others stayed silent.