ZANU PF IS SCARED BECAUSE CHANGE IS COMING

The fight for democracy in Zimbabwe is not over. The latest events show that ZANU PF does not want to give up power. The arrest of Job Sikhala and 39 others in Penhalonga proves that the ruling party is afraid of those who speak out. The government knows that change is near, but instead of listening to the people, it tries to silence them.

Job Sikhala, a well-known activist, was arrested with his colleagues during a National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) meeting. NDWG is not a political party. It is a movement that wants people to talk about the future of the country. But the government saw this as a threat. The arrest was not just about stopping the meeting. It was a warning to everyone who wants change in Zimbabwe.

Sikhala and 39 others were later released. But their chief national organiser, Engineer Joelson Mugari, was still kept in jail. He was denied his medicine, and his health became worse. Activists had to force the police to take him to Mutare General Hospital. This shows how cruel the ruling party is. ZANU PF does not care about the people. It only cares about staying in power.

The arrest was violent. First, CIO officers arrived in a Toyota Hilux with dark windows. They watched the meeting and left. Soon after, another car arrived. It had no number plates. Inside were members of the Police Intelligence and CID Law and Order. A few minutes later, trucks full of riot police arrived. They were armed with AK-47s. The police started beating and kicking people without reason. This is how the ruling party treats those who want a better Zimbabwe.

One police officer pointed a gun at Dr. Wurayayi Zembe and threatened to shoot him. But Dr. Zembe remained calm. Imagine living in a country where the police can kill you just for gathering. Sikhala was also threatened. The Officer Commanding refused to shake hands with him and said, “Ndakarombaka ini. Ko mhepo dzangu dzikazokubata?” This was meant to scare him, but Sikhala did not move.

The activists were accused of violating the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA). But their meeting was private. The law does not say that private meetings need police approval. ZANU PF holds politburo meetings without asking for permission. So why should activists be treated differently? The ruling party is using the law to punish those who oppose it.

The arrested activists were forced into pickup trucks. It was raining heavily. They were taken to Penhalonga Police Station. They sat on a dirty floor for hours. Later, they were taken to Mutare Central CID Law and Order. No real charges were given to them. But four of them, including Sikhala, Mugari, and Dr. Zembe, were questioned. This is how ZANU PF tries to scare those who speak out.

The ruling party is desperate. It knows that its power is shaking. Inside ZANU PF, leaders are fighting over who will take over. They are afraid that people are waking up. Instead of fixing the country, they arrest activists. Instead of solving the economy, they send riot police. But the people will not stop fighting. Zimbabweans are tired of suffering. They are tired of corruption. They are tired of lies.

ZANU PF is scared because it knows that change is coming. It knows that its time is almost up. But no number of arrests or beatings will stop the people. Zimbabweans will not be silent forever.

The real question is, how long will ZANU PF rule through fear? How long will they use violence instead of leadership? The world is watching. And history has shown that no dictatorship lasts forever.