ZANU PF PANICS AS DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT GROWS STRONGER
The fight for democracy in Zimbabwe is far from over. Recent events in Penhalonga have shown just how scared ZANU PF is of the people. The arrest of Job Sikhala and 39 others proves that the ruling party is not ready to allow any voice of change. Instead of hearing what the people are saying, the regime is using violence, fear, and arrests to hold onto power.
Job Sikhala is not new to this struggle. He has been arrested many times before. This time, he was taken along with activists during a peaceful National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) meeting. NDWG is not a political party. It is a movement of citizens trying to talk about Zimbabwe’s future. But ZANU PF saw that as a threat. The arrest was clearly a message — speak out, and we will come for you.
Sikhala and the others were later released, but their chief national organiser, Engineer Joelson Mugari, was left behind. His health was in danger after being denied his medication in police custody. Activists had to pressure the police to take him to hospital. This shows just how heartless the regime is. They do not care if someone dies, as long as their message is silenced.
The arrest was not just illegal — it was violent. First, CIO officers in a dark-windowed Hilux came and watched. Then a mysterious vehicle without plates brought the Law and Order officers. Soon after, riot police with AK-47s stormed in, beating and kicking people for no reason. They turned a peaceful meeting into a battlefield.
One officer even pointed a gun at Dr. Wurayayi Zembe, threatening to shoot. This is what Zimbabwe has become — a country where police threaten to kill citizens simply for meeting to talk. The Officer Commanding refused to shake Sikhala’s hand, mocking him by saying, “Ndakarombaka ini. Ko mhepo dzangu dzikazokubata?” The goal was to embarrass him. But Sikhala stood strong, unshaken.
Police accused the activists of breaking the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA). But this was a lie. The law does not require police clearance for executive meetings. ZANU PF holds its own meetings all the time without seeking permission. The law is clearly being abused to silence opposition voices.
After the arrest, activists were forced into pickup trucks under pouring rain. They were dumped at Penhalonga Police Station and made to sit on a dirty floor for hours. Later, they were moved to Mutare Central CID Law and Order. There were no proper charges. Four of them, including Sikhala, Mugari, and Dr. Zembe, were taken for questioning. This was pure harassment.
ZANU PF is falling apart inside. Fights over who will take over are getting worse. The people are getting braver. ZANU PF knows it is losing control. Instead of solving Zimbabwe’s problems, they send riot police to beat citizens. But this fear will not last forever.
The people are tired. Tired of poverty. Tired of corruption. Tired of dictatorship. Arrests and violence will not stop the demand for change. Zimbabweans are rising, and the world is watching.
ZANU PF fears the future because they know they cannot stop it. The only question is, how much longer will they rule through fear and pain?
Why does Sikhala always find himself at the centre of trouble? Maybe he should stop causing chaos and respect authority. ZANU PF has every right to protect peace and order. If these activists were not doing anything wrong, why did they run from police?
These so-called meetings are just political stunts hiding behind fake civic groups. They must follow the law like everyone else.
This is nothing new, opposition always plays victim when they are caught doing illegal things. Zimbabwe is tired of lies and foreign-sponsored protests.
What happened in Penhalonga is shameful. ZANU PF is afraid of even peaceful citizens who just want a better Zimbabwe. This must end. Job Sikhala is a hero. Arresting people for talking about the future shows just how scared the regime is of democracy.