Job Sikhala, the former Member of Parliament for Zengeza West, has accused Zanu PF of imprisoning him in order to prevent his participation in the 2023 general election. In an interview with Alpha Media Holdings chairman Trevor Ncube on the platform “In Conversation with Trevor,” Sikhala claimed that Zanu PF aimed to eliminate him from the electoral process.
Sikhala expressed his curiosity about the motives behind his imprisonment and revealed that individuals from the ruling party had admitted to their intentions. They allegedly feared that Sikhala would cause chaos and unrest if the electoral outcome was rigged. They specifically did not want him to support Nelson Chamisa’s presidential candidacy, as they believed his presence would strengthen Chamisa and potentially lead to trouble in the country.
During his time in prison, Sikhala claimed that counter-intelligence rumours were spread to create animosity and hostility between himself and Chamisa. The goal was to sow division among their peers and undermine their unity.
In the 2023 general elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner with 52.6% of the vote, while Chamisa received 44%. However, Chamisa rejected the results, labelling them a “gigantic fraud.”
Sikhala was released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison last month after spending nearly two years incarcerated for inciting public violence following the murder of an opposition activist, Moreblessing Ali. Following his release, Sikhala resigned from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party and announced his plans to establish a new political movement.
