On Thursday, Zimbabwe police charged 18 activists involved in protests calling for the release of opposition leader Jameson Timba.
The crackdown occurred ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 17.
The arrests happened Wednesday, with four activists detained at Harare International Airport and 14 more in Kariba.
They faced charges under public disorder laws for their involvement in the demonstrations.
Timba, who has been held since June, leads the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
His detention follows a wave of arrests after the controversial August 2023 elections that saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF retain power.
Among the arrested were Robson Chere and Namatai Kwekweza.
Kwekweza, a human rights activist and Kofi Annan Foundation award recipient, was reportedly tortured before being handed to the police, according to the foundation.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe accused the opposition of using the SADC summit to provoke a severe response and warned against attempts to destabilize the country.
He stated that such actions would not be tolerated and would be met with firm measures.
