On June 3, Harare Magistrate court judge Lisa Mutendereki ordered the release of Karembera—popularly known as “Madzibaba VeShanduko” (“The Father of Change”)— on account of state prosecutors’ failure to provide evidence substantiating baseless and politically-motivated charges of incitement to participate in a public gathering with intent to commit public violence. Karembera had been held at Harare’s Remand Prison and repeatedly denied bail since his October 2025 arrest.

On the evening of Oct. 20, 2025, unknown armed assaillants suspected of being aligned with the regime broke into Karembera’s home and violently abducted him. He was discovered the following morning in police custody with severe injuries and accused of distributing flyers and mobilizing the public via social media for a planned pro-democracy protest against dictator Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Karembera, a colorful entertainer and self-style prophet has long been the target of political repression. In April 2025, unknown assailants suspected to be linked to the regime hurled petrol bombs at his house, injuring one of his children. In 2022, he was hospitalized from police beating and torture and charged with disorderly conduct for canvassing for main opposition presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa.