Outspoken politician Job Sikhala has declared that no act of intimidation, including the threat of death, will derail citizens’ opposition to the controversial Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3).
Sikhala, who is also the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) chief facilitator, said this amid calls for a nationwide shutdown on July 31. President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently signed constitutional amendments—which seek to extend his term of office and that of parliamentarians—into law, despite legal challenges and widespread opposition to them.
Zanu- PF last week held ‘thank-you’ rallies across the country in support of the new law, and its members, including ministers, have threatened other citizens against participating in the July 31 march in opposition to CAA3.
"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".
Sikhala's defiance comes amid heightened political tensions following the passage of CAA3, which opposition parties and civil society organisations have condemned as an attempt to entrench one-party rule and undermine judicial independence.
The amendment has drawn sharp criticism for provisions that critics say expand executive powers, weaken democratic participation, and restrict civic space.
A fortnight ago, NDWG Matabeleland South chairperson Bhekimpilo Mbedzi was arrested and charged with inciting public violence ahead of the planned shutdown.
His arrest follows a pattern of pre-emptive crackdowns on opposition figures and activists in recent months. He has been denied bail. The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), in its latest monthly report, documented several human rights violations directly linked to opposition to the CAA3. "For over two decades I have been persistently persecuted through endless arrests—more than 70 times in total," Sikhala added.
"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."
He added: "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."
Sikhala, a veteran opposition figure, spent nearly 500 days in pre-trial detention on similar charges of inciting public violence before being acquitted.
He has been arrested more than 70 times over two decades of political activism.
Sikhala urged Zimbabweans to set aside political differences and unite against what he termed "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."