Harare voluntarily withdrew from the body in 2003 after being suspended for breaching core values following human rights abuses under former leader Robert Mugabe.

The visit comes as Zimbabwe’s opposition says there is renewed crackdown on its supporters.

The week-long mission led by assistant secretary-general Luis Franceschi will assess the progress made on implementing political and economic reforms.

It’s the third visit since Zimbabwe applied for readmission in 2018 – part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-engagement plan after years of isolation from the West.

But there are growing claims of political persecution here.

On Thursday, opposition MP Godfrey Sithole was freed on bail after five months in jail without trial for allegedly inciting violence.

His co-accused, fellow MP Job Sikhala, remains behind bars on charges that rights groups describe as malicious.

The Commonwealth team will meet members of government and the civil society and produce a report.

Members of the Commonwealth will then come up with a position on Zimbabwe’s suitability for readmission.