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Opposition politician Douglas Mwonzora revealed that he visited incarcerated legislator for Zengezi West, Job Sikhala because their relationship transcends politics and professionalism.
“I am actually disturbed by social media hullaballoo where uninformed elements tend to question my visit to incarcerated Zengeza West MP, Job Sikhala. First and foremost, Job Sikhala is in Parliament on an MDC Alliance ticket where I am the President and Head of Government Business in Parliament.
“On the other hand, Sikhala is an employee at Mwonzora law firm. He has clients that he represents so my visit was also on professional grounds. At the political level, the MDC Alliance thrives on dialogue and unity of different political parties so it was an opportunity to discuss along uniting with other political parties in the country. If we look closely at Job Sikhala’s case, it is more political than what happened in Nyatsime,” Mwonzora said.
There is a general feeling among many politicians and human rights activists that the detention of Job Sikhala and Citizens Coalition for Change legislator Godfrey Sithole Sithole is unjustified.
Lucia Masuka, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe urged Zimbabwean authorities to end the incarceration of Sikhala and Sithole on what she feels are trumped-up charges and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
Sikhala and Sithole were arrested on 14 June 2022 after attending the funeral of political activist, Moreblessing Ali, who was missing for three weeks before being found murdered and her body mutilated on 11 June 2022.
Zimbabwean authorities have accused the MPs of encouraging their supporters to cause violence in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza, during Ali’s memorial. They are facing charges of inciting violence and were denied bail when they appeared in the magistrates’ court. Several appeals for bail have since been rejected.
Mwonzora revealed to this publication that he met and exchanged notes with Job Sikhala.