The case of Hon. Job Sikhala @JobSikhala1 remains a dark stain on democracy in Zimbabwe. He has been released from Chikurubhi Maximum prison after spending almost two years without trial.
He was arrested on 14 June 2022 for threatening to take unspecified action against the family of a ZANU PF activist, Pias Jamba, who had killed and mutilated a CCC activist, Moreblessing Ali.
Hon. Sikhala was representing the Ali family as their spokesperson and lawyer. Instead of focusing on the murderers and comforting the deceased’s family, the regime responded unexpectedly.
However, Pias Jamba was arrested and later found guilty, receiving a light sentence of 30 years in prison for murdering Moreblessing Ali.
The selective application of law and targeted arrests have been ZANU PF’s mode of operation against opposition leaders, especially in the past five years leading to the critical 23 August elections.
The elections were condemned by every other observer mission, including Sadc, which said they fell short of local, regional, and international standards.
Most of these observer missions cited the capture of the judiciary system, ZEC’s incapability to perform, among other critical issues.
As of today, the body of Moreblessing Ali has not been buried as the family protested against the arrest of their lawyer and spokesperson.
This shows how rude and intolerant the Zimbabwean authorities are towards the general citizens.
The case of Hon. Sikhala and the Ali family is one of many unfortunate developments taking place in Zimbabwe.
