This article explored the controversial phenomenon of ghost accounts within the Zimbabwean political and civic discourse on X (Twitter). The study draws its corpus from sixteen qualitative interviews with journalists, government officials, activists and academics who are active on X, to analyse how ghost accounts function as instruments of both protection and propaganda. Using an interpretivist philosophy and underpinned by the Foucauldian governmentality, Habermas’ public sphere and digital performative theories, this paper analysed how power, surveillance, and image creation interact within the Zimbabwean digital sphere. Using thematic analysis, the study revealed that anonymity paradoxically gives refuge to dissenting voices while at the same time facilitating disinformation, plausible deniability and image manipulation by state-linked actors in their political communication. Ghost accounts were found to be visibly central in both reproduction and contestation of power, creating an image of dual functionality of digital control and resistance. The study also identified ethical, communicative and geopolitical implications in the use of ghost accounts. State-linked ghost accounts were found to erode public trust, civic accountability, and damage Zimbabwe's international reputation, while oppositional usage persevered as forms of freedom of expression in light of restrictive conditions. This study situates the concept of ghost accounts within the broader Zimbabwean media landscape, where digital anonymity serves conflicting purposes. While it empowers citizens by enabling hidden identities for protection from persecution and supporting freedom of expression, it also extends state surveillance, control, and the spread of toxic and polarising misinformation. This dual function illustrates the paradox of power, visibility and imaging that defines Zimbabwe’s digital space.

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