Like a petulant child who throws a violent tantrum whenever it’s told it can’t get its way, the Zimbabwean government has continued its crackdown on anyone and everyone who doesn’t sing its praises. Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was again arrested in early January, for the third time in six months, for allegedly “communicating falsehoods”. Translation: he didn’t say very nice things about the government. The Zim government has been on his case, first for allegedly inciting violence during anti-government protests and for being a government critic. Zimbabwe cracked down on other critics: Booker Prize-nominated author and activist Tsitsi Dangarembga faces similar charges. The government arrested two opposition figures too. Amnesty International said the government’s actions were consistent with the constant harassment and intimidation against anyone demanding respect for human rights, transparency, and accountability in Zimbabwe in the recent past, Daily Maverick reported. Perhaps it’s time someone sent the government to the naughty corner.

This brief was originally published in The Wrap here.

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