By Leonnel Mhuka
Prominent opposition figure and Lawyer, Hon Job Sikhala has strongly condemned the alleged assault and torture of Professor Lovemore Madhuku and members of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), describing the incident as part of an escalating pattern of repression in Zimbabwe’s increasingly volatile political climate.
In an address to published on Change Radio on 2 March, Sikhala said the country was “carrying a very difficult burden on its shoulders,” accusing what he called “rogue elements” within ZANU-PF of using extrajudicial tactics to silence dissenting voices.
“Why should people be tortured for holding a contrary view to the despotic thinking of those in ZANU-PF?” Sikhala asked. “Why was Professor Lovemore Madhuku and members of the National Constitutional Assembly raided and attacked and tortured yesterday? Because they are opposed to 2030. That is the crime which they suffered for.”
His remarks come amid heightened tensions surrounding the controversial “2030 agenda,” widely understood to refer to efforts aligned with extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond constitutional limits, a move critics have described as a “constitutional coup.”
Police Response: Denial and Deflection?
On 1 March 2026, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) issued a press statement denying any involvement in the alleged attack. The statement was widely dismissed as “Public Relations Stunt” to try and run away from their responsibility and in a way prove that the country is already in a political crisis.
In the statement, signed by Commissioner P. Nyathi, Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations), the police said:
They were not involved in the alleged incident.
Madhuku’s team had notified authorities of a meeting.
The meeting was allegedly found to have “irregularities” and was not sanctioned.
No police personnel were deployed to oversee or monitor the meeting.
The police said they were “keen to know what actually transpired.”
While the ZRP distanced itself from the attack, their statement raises more questions than it answers.
If no police were deployed, and individuals reportedly posed as law enforcement officers during the raid, how was such an operation allowed to occur without intervention? And if the meeting was known in advance, why were adequate security measures not taken to ensure citizens’ safety? And why are they not intereste in investigating this event, as it tarnishes the country’s image?
Under Zimbabwean law, the primary duty of the police is to protect life and property, regardless of whether a gathering is officially sanctioned.
“The issue is not whether a meeting was sanctioned,” said one Harare-based constitutional analyst. “The issue is whether citizens were protected from violence.”
Sikhala: “War Against Civilians”
Sikhala went further, accusing elements within the ruling party of declaring “war against civilians.”
“Civilians are being abused, civilians are being attacked, civilians are being tortured, being threatened with death because they are opposed to a constitutional coup,” he said.
He argued that Zimbabwe’s natural resources belong to all citizens and criticized what he described as the monopolization of national wealth by political elites.
“The minerals in our nation do not belong to ZANU-PF. They belong to the masses of our people. Everything that is found in Zimbabwe belongs to each and every Zimbabwean and must be shared equally.”
His remarks reflect growing frustration among sections of the population grappling with economic hardship, inflationary pressures, unemployment, and deepening political uncertainty.
A Pattern of Escalation
Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over political intimidation, alleged abductions, and violence against activists. The alleged attack on Madhuku and his NCA colleagues now adds to a list of incidents that critics say indicate a shrinking democratic space.
Sikhala warned that Zimbabwe may be approaching a “breaking point.”
“There are moments you can oppress people, but there are times when they say enough is enough.”
He called on citizens to remain courageous and committed to defending constitutional governance.
Accountability Questions Remain
The ZRP’s statement emphasizes non-involvement, but it does not clarify:
- Who the alleged attackers were, since they cme in police uniform
- Whether an investigation has been launched
- Whether any suspects have been identified
- Why individuals allegedly posing as police were able to operate without immediate response
In a climate already fraught with distrust between state institutions and opposition actors, such unanswered questions risk further eroding public confidence.
Listen to Sikhala’s Audio
