Mnangagwa Recruits Online Footsoldiers To Monitor Internet Activities8 August 2025
Mnangagwa Recruits Online Footsoldiers To Monitor Internet Activities
By A Correspondent
Zimbabwe’s government, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has launched a controversial National Cybersecurity Training Programme aimed at recruiting and training 10,000 young Zimbabweans to act as online monitors While officially described as a step toward empowering youth with digital defense skills, many critics warn this is a state-driven effort to expand surveillance and tighten control over internet and social media activities ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera announced the initiative on Thursday, calling it “a proud moment for Zimbabwe” and describing the programme as “groundbreaking.”
However, the training has sparked fears that these recruits—dubbed “varakashi”—will serve as government-aligned footsoldiers tasked with policing online expression and dissent Mavetera said the programme will equip youth to become “ethical hackers, cybersecurity analysts, and guardians of our digital future.” Yet, Zimbabwe’s record of suppressing dissent raises doubts about whether these “guardians” will protect citizens or enforce censorship
The minister also highlighted scholarships provided through partnerships with Cyberus and Komib Foundation, aimed at youth across the SADC region “We are also offering an initial 160 scholarships for youth across the SADC region, opening doors to a global industry set to exceed USD 200 billion,” he said Critics question how many will benefit and suspect the bulk of trainees will be co-opted into state surveillance roles Mavetera insisted the programme is about building “a Zimbabwe that doesn’t just consume technology but leads it,” and called on young Zimbabweans and SADC youth to “step up, get trained, and shape the future with us.” For many observers, however, this “future” is one of increased government monitoring and digital control rather than genuine empowerment
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Source: ZimEye
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