The savage beating of Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Obey Shava is not just another act of brutality—it is proof that the Emmerson Mnangagwa regime is not a democracy, but a dictatorship wrapped in cheap propaganda.

Obey Shava is not a criminal. He is not a violent protester. He is not a threat to public peace. He is a lawyer. A defender of justice. A voice for the voiceless. A man who dared to challenge the abuse of power and speak for victims of state-sponsored violence. That alone, under Mnangagwa’s rule, was enough to mark him for attack.

This brutal assault was no accident. It was a message. A warning to every lawyer, activist, and citizen in Zimbabwe who thinks they have the right to oppose tyranny. What happened to Obey Shava is not only an outrageous violation of the Human Rights Charter, but also a crime against humanity. This regime has again shown that it is willing to silence dissent with fists and fear.

Let’s not sugar-coat the facts: this was a politically motivated act of terror. The ED regime has long used violence to intimidate those who dare to stand up. Shava’s attack fits into a growing list of targeted assaults on opposition leaders, lawyers, students, and even church members who speak out.

It is clear now—if it wasn’t already—that Mnangagwa’s “Second Republic” is no better than the darkest days of Mugabe. It may wear a new suit, but it still bleeds the same. This government pretends to honour democratic values while secretly crushing the freedoms that define a real democracy. It jails activists, beats lawyers, rigs elections, and rewards the violent. It talks peace, but walks in blood.

What happened to Obey Shava is not an isolated incident. It is part of a system. A system that attacks critics while protecting the corrupt. A system that talks about reform while unleashing thugs on innocent citizens. A system that builds fear instead of justice.

According to international law, crimes against humanity are not just random acts of violence. They are part of a pattern. A policy. A practice that targets a population for political control. Mnangagwa’s government, by allowing and encouraging this brutality, has crossed that line. The attack on Shava is not just a local issue—it’s a global one.

The world must stop pretending that Zimbabwe is on the road to democracy. That road is gone. The bridges are burned. What we have now is a police state, run by fear, violence, and lies.

This is a call to the United Nations, the African Union, and every democracy on earth: you cannot remain silent. You cannot shake hands with a regime that beats its lawyers in the streets. You cannot trade with a government that jails the innocent and protects the guilty. You must speak up now.

Justice must be served. The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to book. And the Zimbabwean government must be held accountable for every bruise, every scar, and every broken law.

Obey Shava stood for justice. He stood for the people. Now we must stand for him.

To remain silent is to stand with the oppressor. To act is to stand with the truth. And Zimbabwe has had enough lies.