ZANU PF IS AFRAID BECAUSE CHANGE IS COMING

The struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe is still going on, and what we saw in Penhalonga shows that ZANU PF is not ready to give up power. The arrest of Job Sikhala and 39 others proves that the ruling party is scared of anyone who tries to organise or speak out. They know that people want change, but instead of listening, they choose to silence every voice that asks for a better country.

Job Sikhala, a well-known activist, was arrested with his colleagues during a National Democratic Working Group meeting. NDWG is not even a political party. It is only a movement that wants citizens to talk about the future of the country. But the government saw this simple meeting as a big threat. The arrest was not only about stopping the gathering. It was a warning to every Zimbabwean who dreams of change.

Even though Sikhala and 39 others were later released, the chief national organiser, Engineer Joelson Mugari, was left in detention. He was denied his life-saving medication and his health became very bad. Activists had to push the police to take him to Mutare General Hospital. This shows the cruelty that Zimbabweans face under ZANU PF. The truth is simple. The regime does not care about the lives of the people. It only cares about power and control.

The arrest itself was very brutal. First a Toyota Hilux with dark windows came with CIO officers who watched the meeting and left. Soon after, another car with no number plates came with members of the Police Intelligence and CID Law and Order. Anyone could see that something bad was coming. A few minutes later, trucks full of riot police arrived. They were armed with AK-47s and they stormed the venue. They beat people. They kicked people. They attacked citizens who only wanted to talk about their country. This is what ZANU PF does to people who want a better Zimbabwe.

One police officer even pointed a gun at Dr Wurayayi Zembe and said he would shoot him. But Dr Zembe stayed calm. Imagine living in a country where police can threaten to kill you just for gathering. Sikhala was also confronted by the Officer Commanding, who refused to shake his hand and said strange things meant to scare him. But Sikhala did not show fear.

The activists were accused of breaking the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act even though their meeting was private. The law does not say that you must get clearance for an executive meeting. ZANU PF holds its politburo meetings without police approval. So why should activists be treated like criminals? The ruling party is twisting the law to punish its opponents.

The arrested activists were pushed into trucks while it was raining. They were taken to Penhalonga Police Station and made to sit on a dirty floor for hours. Later they were moved to Mutare Central for questioning, but there were still no clear charges. Four of them, including Sikhala, Mugari and Dr Zembe, were taken aside for more questioning. This is how ZANU PF tries to scare people who want change.

The truth is that the ruling party is desperate. It knows its own system is breaking. The fights over succession are growing. They know people are waking up. Instead of fixing the economy, they send riot police. Instead of stopping corruption, they arrest activists. But this will not stop the people of Zimbabwe. People are tired of suffering. They are tired of lies. They are tired of leaders who do not care.

ZANU PF is afraid because it knows change is coming. It knows its time is running out. No amount of beatings or arrests will stop the fight for democracy. The people will not be silent forever.

The question now is simple. How long will ZANU PF rule with fear? How long will they choose violence instead of leadership? The world is watching, and history shows that no dictatorship lasts forever.