23/06/2026
Police Block New Opposition Party Launch in Masvingo, Australia ReturneeAlleges
Masvingo, Zimbabwe – Benefit Chikomo, a Zimbabwean who returned home after 15 years in Australia, has accused the Zimbabwe Republic Police of unlawfully blocking the official launch rally of his newly formed People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at Mucheke Stadium.Chikomo, who planned to use the event to kick off a nationwide membership recruitment drive, said he had properly notified police authorities on Friday as required by law. Despite this, officers prevented the rally from proceeding on Saturday, he claimed.“I left a comfortable life in Australia to come back and fight for change,” Chikomo told journalists. “They are denying opposition parties political space.”He vowed to press ahead with his political project despite the setback, insisting the PDP will continue recruiting members across the country.The incident has drawn attention to recurring complaints by opposition figures in Zimbabwe that police routinely restrict their activities through bans, venue denials, or last-minute prohibitions, often citing security or procedural reasons. Similar restrictions have been reported in previous years against other opposition formations.No immediate official statement was issued by the Zimbabwe Republic Police or the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the blocked PDP launch.Chikomo’s PDP appears to be a fresh political initiative, distinct from an earlier party of the same name once associated with Tendai Biti. Details about Chikomo’s background and the party’s full policy platform remain limited at this stage.The development comes as Zimbabwe’s political landscape remains highly polarized, with new opposition voices, particularly from the diaspora, facing significant hurdles in establishing themselves.The Mirror Masvingo contributed to this report