A South African court has become the unlikely stage for Zimbabwe’s simmering political tensions, as the extradition case of Wellington Masiiwa, also known as Nyokayemabhunu, takes a dramatic turn. Masiiwa, a vocal critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is fighting extradition back to Zimbabwe, a battle his supporters believe is politically motivated.
Masiiwa has been in custody since April 13, initially charged with violating South Africa’s immigration laws – a charge his sympathisers claim is a pretext for a politically driven extradition. He is accused of contravening Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act for being found in South Africa without a valid visa or permit.
Last week, Masiiwa appeared at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and Friday. After listening to submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, the magistrate postponed judgment to June 10. However, it was the events following the court adjournment on Thursday that have truly ignited the situation.
Hundreds of emotionally charged Zimbabwean nationals, rallying in support of Nyokayemabhunu, stormed the court premises. The protesters clashed with Interpol officers and chanted anti-Zanu PF slogans. Video footage obtained by The Standard shows shoes being hurled and fists flying as uniformed Interpol officers were forced to retreat under a barrage of insults and projectiles.
“We know who sent them! Interpol is just a hit squad now!,” one protester screamed in the video, as South African police struggled to control the crowd.
Interpol, which had dispatched representatives to observe the proceedings and potentially process Masiiwa for transnational offences, is now facing accusations of “collusion with the Harare regime” from civic society leaders and Masiiwa’s supporters.
South African-based Zimbabwean activist, Kudzai Saruwaka, has alleged political interference from Harare in the handling of the case. “This is no longer about justice – this is about Zimbabwe’s rotten politics creeping into South Africa’s courts,” Saruwaka said.
Saruwaka further alleged that Zimbabwe’s intelligence network is operating clandestinely in Johannesburg, targeting activists and fabricating dossiers to justify arrests and extraditions. “We are dealing with a regime that wants to eliminate anyone seen as a threat to the Mnangagwa family dynasty,” he claimed. “The South African courts must not become tools in Zanu PF’s succession war.”
The Zimbabwean government has requested Masiiwa’s extradition, alleging that he committed fraud in 2014 over the sale of a residential stand. Zimbabwe’s deputy prosecutor general, Nelson Mutsonziwa, has stated that Masiiwa will not be charged for political activism if extradited.
Masiiwa’s sympathisers claim he is a victim of state-sponsored political persecution orchestrated by Zanu PF operatives across borders. He is known for running anti-Mnangagwa social media groups, calling on the president to step down.
Following his arrest by unknown individuals, Masiiwa was handed over to South African authorities. Police in Zimbabwe stated in March that they were looking for Masiiwa in connection with a US$60,000 fraud case that allegedly occurred in Mazowe last year.
Concerns have also been raised regarding Masiiwa’s safety while detained at Johannesburg Central Prison, with allegations of a plot to assassinate him. A source revealed that Masiiwa’s mobile phones were reportedly released from police custody and later hacked, with pornographic content being posted in what his supporters say was a deliberate attempt to discredit him publicly.
Masiiwa’s legal team is expected to challenge the extradition, and an initiative is underway to petition regional bodies, including the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, regarding the matter.
Zanu PF officials have also accused exiled former ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and Walter Mzembi of being behind the push for Mnangagwa’s removal.
The succession battle within Zanu PF has intensified in recent months, with the party reportedly divided into two distinct factions: one pushing for Mnangagwa to remain in power, and the other supporting Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga as his successor.
With tensions escalating both inside and outside the courtroom, all eyes are now on June 10, when the Magistrate is expected to rule on Nyokayemabhunu’s bail application. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Zimbabwean politics and the broader regional landscape.
Follow @MyZimbabweNews
