Human rights organisations say at least 10 people have faced treason charges in the 16 months since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took office - a record number in such a short period.
Since protests broke out in January, Mnangagwa's government has intensified its crackdown on opposition members and civil society leaders, with several of them charged with treason. The charge carries a death penalty.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has expressed concern over recent attacks on human rights defenders, human rights lawyers, doctors and nurses.
Joana Mamombe, the youngest legislator in parliament, was this week locked up for allegedly plotting to unseat a constitutionally elected government.
Mamombe was apprehended by state operatives in Nyanga while on parliamentary business. She was in court on Tuesday alongside Kuwadzana legislator Chalton Hwende, who was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport upon his return from Namibia.
On Friday, Mamombe was granted bail of $3,000. Hwende was also released, and banned from using any social media platforms as part of his bail conditions.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition chair Rashid Mahiya, who was on the police's list of people who the government claims were the brains behind January protests, faces a similar treason charge.
MDC national spokesperson Jacob Mafume said others who face similar charges include Peter Mutasa, Japhet Moyo, Kumbirai Magorimbo, Obert Masaraure, Amos Chibaya, Settlement Chikwinya, Hendricks Chiminya and Evan Mawarire.
"We now have 10 people facing treason charges," Mafume said. "The list includes our members of parliament, trade union leaders and other … leaders such as Mahiya."
Human rights lawyer David Coltart told the Sunday Times the law was being used as a weapon to crush the opposition.
He likened the trend to what former president Robert Mugabe did in the early 1980s against the former leader of the opposition Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu), the late former vice-president Joshua Nkomo.
"Identical tactics were used against Zapu in the 1980s. Nkomo was never arrested because that was too controversial but they systematically detained Zapu legislators on spurious charges. So Mnangagwa has simply reverted to what they did 35 years ago. There is no basis for these charges," said Coltart.
Last month, Mnangagwa threatened lawyers, doctors and nurses who joined citizens in protests. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said Mnangagwa's statements were the latest in a series of attacks on lawyers representing individuals arrested after the anti-government protests...