Comfort Mpofu (24): Zimbabwean student activist repeatedly arrested for his role in campus protests and youth mobilization

Thumbnail: Comfort Mpofu is a Zimbabwean student leader and youth rights activist who has faced repeated arrests and surveillance for his role in campus protests and civic mobilization. A political science student at the University of Zimbabwe, Mpofu has served in ZINASU and the SRC, where he challenged tuition hikes and student repression. He was first arrested in 2022 for organizing a petition against fee increases, and later spent 62 days in Harare Remand Prison on charges he denies—accused of defacing buildings with pro-opposition graffiti. “I had no hand in it,” he says, “but I suffered just for being a ZINASU leader.” Mpofu continues to receive suspicious calls from alleged state agents during periods of national unrest.

Profile: Comfort Mpofu, 24, is a Zimbabwean student leader and youth rights advocate who has faced multiple arrests and persistent threats from state authorities due to his involvement in student activism. A political science student at the University of Zimbabwe, Mpofu has served in leadership roles within the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and the Student Representative Council (SRC).

Mpofu’s activism began in early 2022, during his first semester at university. “It was just before we even finished our first semester that we had a fee hike from nowhere,” he said. “That troubled many students, and as a student who cares about others, I joined ZINASU because it genuinely represents students.”

Under the leadership of Emmanuel Sitima—then ZINASU UZ Chapter Treasurer General and now national president—Mpofu helped organise a petition against the fee increase. The protest led to his first arrest. “I spent more than 30 hours at Avondale Police Station,” he recalled.

In May 2023, Mpofu received a call from his grandmother in Bulawayo while attending an overnight church service on campus. “She was in shock and clearly stressed that state agents were searching for me,” he said. “I didn’t take it seriously at first because I hadn’t done anything wrong.”

Later that night, Mpofu and fellow activists learned that the entire ZINASU leadership was being targeted. “We met a well-known informant who told us the whole leadership was wanted, including our SRC President Allan Chipoyi,” he said. “We had to avoid sleeping in our hostels.”

By dawn, state agents had located their whereabouts. “We had to escape so that we could first get lawyers—how we escaped is a story for another day,” Mpofu said. They were eventually apprehended near the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) offices and taken to Harare Central Police Station.

Mpofu was charged with malicious damage to property, accused of painting buildings in the CBD with messages demanding the release of opposition politician Job Sikhala. “I did not know how or when those buildings were painted,” he said. “But I had to suffer for something I had no hand in, just because I’m a ZINASU leader.”

He was denied bail and spent 62 days at Harare Remand Prison. “We were subjected to regular court appearances for more than a year until the state realised they had no case,” he said.

Later in 2023, Mpofu and several comrades were disqualified from contesting SRC elections. “Students sang and demanded clear reasons as to why we were disqualified,” he said. “That only led to my arrest again—I spent another night at Avondale Police Station and months of regular court appearances.”

Mpofu says he continues to receive suspicious calls from individuals claiming to be police officers. “It’s funny—I only get those calls during times of unrest like SADC protests or press conferences organised by the opposition,” he said. “They demand I go report to the police station.”

He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours in Political Science and Diplomacy at the University of Zimbabwe (2021–2025), where he has distinguished himself as a student leader and advocate for youth empowerment.

Despite repeated arrests and intimidation, Mpofu remains active in youth advocacy and media. He is Production Manager at Junza TV and co-founder of Glimteens Magazine, a platform for civic education and youth expression. He is also a registered chess player with the International Chess Federation (FIDE).