Sikhala's camp unmoved by arrest threats

Former legislator Job Sikhala's National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) remains undeterred by threats against its leader following his critical speech at the Geneva Human Rights and Democracy Summit.

In his address, Sikhala, who was detained for 595 days before his release, condemned President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration for suppressing democratic freedoms and committing severe human rights abuses. He asserted that his arrest was politically motivated to prevent his participation in the August 2023 general elections.

Sikhala warned that he could face arrest for his speech under the Patriotic Act, which penalizes actions perceived as injuring Zimbabwe's sovereignty and national interest. Offenders could face loss of citizenship, denial of voting rights, and even the death penalty.

His comments provoked strong reactions from high-ranking ZANU PF officials, including Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen ‘Mudha' Ncube and government spokesperson Nick Mangwana, who accused him of fabricating lies.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, NDWG acting chairman Wurayayi Zembe stated that ZANU PF employs intimidation and repressive tactics to silence dissenters like Sikhala.

"Despite the baseless attacks and calls for the arrest of Hon. Advocate Sikhala by ZANU PF figures such as Nick Mangwana, Energy Mutodi, Sengezo Tshabangu, Owen Mudha Ncube, and Zanupf Varakashi (Destroyers), we remain undisturbed," said Zembe. "We are not alarmed, moved, or fazed by their attempts to silence our Chairman for exposing his political imprisonment."

Zembe criticized the ZANU PF government for enacting laws, including the Patriotic Act, aimed at curbing democratic freedoms and promoting a totalitarian system. He emphasized that the NDWG refuses to be silenced through repressive laws and intimidation, asserting their shared ownership of Zimbabwe.

Zembe also addressed a fake X page impersonating Sikhala, calling for demonstrations against the threats of arrest. "We have received media reports of a fake X account created by ZANU PF agents in our Chairman's name to justify his arrest. The account called for action on May 25, 2024, attributing it to Hon. Advocate Job Sikhala. This is completely false and malicious. We urge all good Zimbabweans to report this bogus account for its removal."

Furthermore, Zembe highlighted past human rights abuses, including abductions and murders of activists, and the involvement of state security in elections, as evidence of the government's harsh response to dissent.

"Human rights violations, including abductions, are a constant threat to those in politics and civil society in Zimbabwe," Zembe added.