On Thursday, Zimbabwean police charged 18 activists who protested for the release of opposition leader Jameson Timba.
This crackdown occurred before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 17.
The arrests took place on Wednesday: four activists were detained at Harare International Airport, and 14 more were taken into custody in Kariba.
They are facing charges under public disorder laws.
Timba, held since June, leads the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
His arrest follows numerous detentions post the controversial August 2023 elections, which saw President Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF remain in power.
Among those arrested were Robson Chere and Namatai Kwekweza.
Kwekweza, a human rights advocate and Kofi Annan Foundation awardee, was reportedly tortured before being handed over to the police.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe accused the opposition of using the SADC summit to incite unrest and warned that attempts to destabilize the country would be met with strict measures.