The National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) has condemned the disruption of its planned press conference in Bulawayo by the police, accusing authorities of intensifying repression against dissenting voices and shrinking democratic space in the country while allowing Zanu PF to hold gatherings without interference.
The press briefing, which was scheduled to take place in Bulawayo on Thursday, was barred after police reportedly raided and barricaded the venue shortly before the event was due to begin.
The incident adds to ongoing tensions between civic organisations and authorities over the right to organise public gatherings and express dissenting political views.
According to NDWG members, riot police were heavily deployed at the venue around midday, preventing members of the organisation and journalists from accessing the premises.
NDWG National Spokesperson for Press and Media, Isaya Ndawana, strongly criticised the police action, describing it as a politically motivated attempt to silence alternative views.
“The National Democratic Working Group condemns in the strongest terms the actions taken by partisan Zimbabwe Republic Police, who invaded and barricaded the venue at Samaritans in Bulawayo today to stop our press conference,” Ndawana said.
He argued the incident reflected what the organisation views as a broader trend under the government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where opposition voices and civic groups are increasingly restricted from organising public events.
“Such actions are a reflection and testimony that the Zanu PF government under Emmerson Mnangagwa is intensifying its repression against dissenting voices and summarily closing democratic spaces in the country,” Ndawana said.
The NDWG spokesperson also alleged that while opposition groups and civic organisations face restrictions, the ruling Zanu PF party is allowed to hold gatherings without interference.
“Zanu PF is freely gathering every time, anytime and anywhere without any disruptions from the police. They hold their press conferences, rallies or public gatherings independently without any interference from state security agencies,” he said.
Ndawana claimed the selective enforcement of public order regulations was contributing to the gradual transformation of Zimbabwe into a one-party state.
“In light of the above, the country is being turned into a one-party state by Zanu PF,” he said.
He added the disruption of the press conference was linked to the group’s opposition to the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and the political campaign associated with extending President Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028, commonly referred to as the “2030 agenda”.
“Those who are in rejection of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda are denied the opportunity to gather or mobilise in disapproval against what we see as a coup d’état of our constitution,” Ndawana said.
“With what has happened today in Bulawayo, the Zanu PF government wants to impose a constitutional amendment without the citizens’ approval, which is a total coup of our supreme law.”
The NDWG further argued that the disruption of the press briefing violated fundamental constitutional rights.
“Our constitutional rights of freedom of the press, association, assembly and gathering are totally being disregarded, only favouring Zanu PF,” Ndawana said.
According to the organisation, police presence at the venue remained high throughout the afternoon, with some officers reportedly searching for NDWG leaders who had been scheduled to address the media.
Those targeted allegedly included NDWG Women’s Movement President, Sharon Ndlovu, Bulawayo provincial chairperson, Shyne Kawaza, provincial organiser Lungisani Sibanda, and Matabeleland North provincial chairperson, Nomudumiso Maphosa.
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