Sikhala reps reprimand police

Published: 19 September 2025

The National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) has accused the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) of failing to take action against individuals allegedly responsible for violent attacks on its leader, Job Sikhala, and his supporters.

The group, which opposes Zanu-PF's push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rule beyond 2028, says its members have increasingly come under assault from what it calls "Zanu-PF terrorists." Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated he will step down at the end of his second term, but some ruling party figures have been lobbying for constitutional changes to keep him in power.

In a statement, NDWG northern region facilitator Wurayayi Zembe criticised police silence over the disruption of Sikhala's book launch in Masvingo on July 11.

"The ZRP has not publicly condemned the violent disruption of Advocate Job Sikhala's book launch," Zembe said. "The thuggery, another heinous crime against Advocate Job Sikhala, was captured on camera with culprits clearly identified in videos submitted to the Masvingo ZRP."

He claimed the attack was led by Esau Mutanho, a Zanu-PF activist who later lost a council by-election in Masvingo's Ward 7. Despite video evidence and a police report filed under RRB 6403795, Zembe said no arrests had been made.

Zembe warned that NDWG members no longer feel protected by state institutions and urged citizens to adopt "peaceful self-defence mechanisms" against what he described as Zanu-PF's growing "terrorism."

Zanu-PF, however, dismissed the allegations. Party information director Farai Marapira said Sikhala was fabricating stories to draw attention to his book.

"Why should we, as Zanu-PF, have anything to do with the book launch of a failed politician like Job Sikhala?" Marapira said. "He is simply trying to create hype around his much-ignored book by dragging Zanu-PF's name."

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also rejected NDWG's claims, urging the organisation to follow up formally with the relevant police station.

"The procedure is that when a report is made and investigations are underway, there should be regular communication between the complainant and the police," Nyathi said.

The dispute highlights deepening mistrust between the opposition-aligned NDWG, state security institutions, and the ruling party, amid growing political tension ahead of the 2028 elections.
- Newsday

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