Zimbabwe is a semi-authoritarian regime where democratic processes are manipulated to ensure ZANU PF retains its stranglehold on power. The 2023 election saw the insurgent Citizens Coalition for Change harness digital technologies to present a real challenge to ZANU PF’s hegemony. A targeted campaign pushed out the CCC message, combatting disinformation as well as protecting, where possible, its campaigners from violent repression. While the CCC were unsuccessful, the analysis demonstrates that insurgent parties can have an impact within a campaign despite the system being rigged to ensure their failure.