2023 in Zimbabwe

← 2022 2021 2020 2023 in Zimbabwe → 2024 2025 2026
Decades:	2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2023 Timeline of Zimbabwean history

The following events occurred in Zimbabwe in the year 2023.

Incumbents

• President: Emmerson Mnangagwa
• Vice President
  • Constantino Chiwenga

Events

Ongoing: COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

Further information: Public holidays in Zimbabwe

11 November 2023 to 9 December 2023: 2023 Zimbabwean by-elections. ^[1]

January

• 14 January – Police arrest and beat opposition MP Costa Machingauta and 25 others for participating in an alleged illegal gathering at the MP’s house in Harare. ^[2]
• 22 January – The Zimbabwean authorities revoke the registration of 291 nongovernmental and civil society organizations for “noncompliance with the Private Voluntary Organisations Act.” ^[2]

February

• President Emmerson Mnangagwa defends the PVO Amendment Bill, claiming it is necessary to protect Zimbabwe’s sovereignty from foreign influence. ^[2]

March

• 4 March – Police shut down a concert by reggae and dancehall artist Winky D, citing lyrics critical of social and political conditions. ^[2]

April

• 28 April – Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of Transform Zimbabwe, is sentenced to four years in prison for inciting public violence via a 2020 social media post. ^[2]

May

• 17 May – Six University of Zimbabwe students are arrested for peacefully protesting the persecution of opposition politicians; they are released on bail after two months. ^[2]

July

• 14 July – President Emmerson Mnangagwa signs the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill, allowing prosecution of those deemed to undermine the country or spread false information abroad. ^[2]

August

• 26 August – 2023 Zimbabwean general election: President Emmerson Mnangagwa is re-elected to a second term with 52.6% of the vote, defeating main challenger Nelson Chamisa who garners 44%. Mnangagwa's ZANU–PF also wins a majority in the National Assembly elections. Chamisa's Citizens Coalition for Change rejects the results, alleging electoral irregularities. ^[3]
• A CCC supporter is killed in clashes with suspected ZANU-PF supporters in Glen Norah, Harare. 11 people are charged with public violence. ^[2]

September

• 20 September – The US Embassy issues a statement condemning post-election violence and intimidation, emphasizing the right to live free of fear and to fair treatment under the law. ^[2]

• A CCC MP is abducted, tortured, and later released. Another MP is held overnight on criminal charges but released due to lack of evidence. ^[4]

October

• 12 October – 2023 Zimbabwe cholera outbreak: Zimbabwe bans gatherings of more than 50 people amid a cholera outbreak in the country. ^[5]

November

• 18-24 November – The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2023 is held in Harare, including the launch of its National Action Plan on 20 November and multiple public engagement activities. ^[6]

December

• 4-9 December – Zimbabwe hosts the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STI s in Africa. ^[7]

Deaths

• 31 October - Shepherd Gundu Chengeta
• 14 November - Tapfumaneyi Masaya

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
• African Continental Free Trade Area

References

1. "Zimbabwe Calls By-Elections After Opposition Lawmakers Lose Seats". Bloomberg.com. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
2. Human Rights Watch (2023-12-15), "Zimbabwe: Events of 2023", Share this via Facebook, retrieved 2025-08-20
3. "Zimbabwe's President Mnangagwa wins second term in disputed vote". South China Morning Post. 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
4. "Zimbabwe: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
5. Chingono, Nyasha (2023-10-12). "Zimbabwe bans large gatherings as threat of cholera outbreak grows". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-10-12.
6. "Zimbabwe Hosts the World AMR Awareness Week 2023, 18-24th November 2023". Africa CDC. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
7. "Zimbabwe to host the 22nd Edition of International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) from 4th to 9th December 2023 – Society for AIDS in Africa(SAA)". www.saafrica.org. Retrieved 2025-08-20.