Summary (analysis, trends)

Given the current state in Zimbabwe, the southern African country is under a biting strain which has now been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports show that Zimbabwe has been facing both political and economic challenges prior to the pandemic and these challenges, which include gross human rights violations, economic recession, high rate of unemployment, hunger crises have now risen to an unbearable level for Zimbabweans due to state-induced policies during the pandemic. 

The current situation in Zimbabwe shows a huge gap in public leadership and responsibility and democratic development. While this gap existed before the pandemic and is no less gaping, it has grown wider due to the multifaceted effects of human rights violations and economic mismanagement by public officials in Zimbabwe.