Sikhala defiant over July 31 protest calls

Outspoken politician Job Sikhala says no amount of intimidation, including threats to his life, will deter Zimbabweans from opposing the controversial Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3), as political tensions continue to mount ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations on July 31.

Sikhala, who is the chief facilitator of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), made the remarks amid calls for a nationwide shutdown to protest the constitutional changes recently signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The amendments, which extend the terms of office for the president and parliamentarians and introduce other constitutional changes, have been challenged in court and criticised by opposition parties and civil society organisations.

Last week, Zanu-PF held "thank-you" rallies across the country in support of the new law. During the gatherings, some party officials, including government ministers, warned citizens against participating in the planned July 31 protests.

Responding to the warnings, Sikhala said intimidation would not silence those defending the Constitution.

"Any threats and intimidation acts directed to someone like me and other people who are defending the constitution, in this day and age, are a sheer waste of time," Sikhala said.

"As for me, I have gone through so much in life that I am no longer afraid of anything, even death. So, whoever thinks that threats work on people like us, who have seen and faced very difficult conditions, is foolish—it will not work."

His remarks come amid heightened political tensions following the enactment of CAA3, which critics argue strengthens executive authority, weakens democratic safeguards and narrows civic space.

A fortnight ago, NDWG Matabeleland South chairperson Bhekimpilo Mbedzi was arrested and charged with inciting public violence ahead of the planned shutdown. He has since been denied bail.

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), in its latest monthly report, also documented a number of alleged human rights violations linked to opposition to the constitutional amendments.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Sikhala said years of arrests and persecution had strengthened his resolve.

"For over two decades I have been persistently persecuted through endless arrests—more than 70 times in total," he said.

"I have been severely tortured all over my body, including my genitals. I survived several assassination attempts, and God will save me again from my enemies."

Sikhala also said he had endured sustained economic hardship because of his political activism.

"I did not survive torture and arrests only as I also suffered systematic economic deprivation, but I still manage to send my children to the best schools and universities throughout the world," he said.

The veteran opposition politician spent nearly 500 days in pre-trial detention on charges of inciting public violence before being acquitted. Over more than two decades of political activism, he says he has been arrested more than 70 times.

Sikhala called on Zimbabweans to put aside political differences and unite in opposing what he described as "constitutional capture."

"Let's unite Zimbabwe and stop this nonsensical CAA3—it does not benefit anyone except the elite," he said.

"Together we can and we will resist this constitutional capture."