The jailed Zimbabwe opposition leader, Job Sikhala, was released on the evening of the 31st of January 2024 after serving a record 595 days in pre-trial remand. Amnesty International's Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farisè, stated in November 2023 that, "he will remain in prison on other baseless charges of incitement to commit violence and disorderly conduct is a travesty of justice and a violation of his human rights."
The irony of black on black oppression is that it mirrors the oppression we suffered under the colonial regime under Ian Smith and the likes. Our current leaders have weaponised the law to shackle those who speak up against injustice, system deficiency, and electoral fraud. It has been a fairly effective weapon used to target activists, whistleblowers, and members of the opposition to extinguish dissent. They have effectively deployed it as a deterrent to anyone who seeks to become the people's champion.
Below is a transcription of Job Sikhala's interview soon after his release.
Journalist: You are finally out after 595 days in prison. How do you feel?
Sikhala: Absolutely, this was an act of persecution. What you have to understand is that if somebody is convinced to say that I am suffering for a just cause here, I am not feeling anything. Yeah, these people who have kept me in this prison for a long time here should understand that my determination to pay any price for the love of my country is beyond reproach.
Journalist: This prison is considered like a hellhole. One of the most notorious prisons on Earth. I mean, it's written variously with so many stories from colonial up to now about it, but how did you survive in this environment?
Sikhala: When you get into a very difficult situation, a proper revolutionary must be able to adapt to any situation. I had to make sure that I gather mental strength for me to be able to sustain myself here in this situation.
Journalist: And you faced four charges, some of them it was not very clear as we stand here. What changes today you a given a two year suspended citizen eventual release, what is the status of these other charges that we're facing?
Sikhala: All these matters are completed. They are now at the judgement stage. The first judgement is going to be delivered on the sixth of February. And then the second one on the 16th of February. The third one on the 29th of April. So, whatever they will do with them, I don't care. Because I already have their scars. So whatever will happen, I am prepared for anything that they will do.
Journalist: Now you're out. How do you rebuild your life? I mean, your family suffered quite a lot, your kids. Everyone else. I mean, your whole family unit, and friends, relatives, they were under stress. How do you rebuild your life?
Sikhala: I need to take time for me to give a proper reflection because it is almost two years when I was away from the people of somebody. When I was away from family. when I was away from my job. So, I need some time for me to reflect on what is best for me to do.
Journalist: Next, then going forward. Now the bigger one, politically, what's the new direction so many things have happened to the movement that you belong to Triple C? You've been following? So now what's your new trajectory politically?
Sikhala: I'm going to have the State of the Nation and the international address
on where I stand in all the chaos that has been happening during my absence. I owe an obligation to the people of Zimbabwe, and also the world at large for them to know what I'm thinking. These are issues that have been happening in my country. So I'm going to make sure that in the shortest possible time in the future, I am going to make sure that I am going to speak out to the people of Zimbabwe and the world.
Journalist: Some people are saying the last one. Some people are saying that a Nelson Chamisa has quit Triple C for reasons that he has stated, and they are saying that you must take over that role. Are you willing to take that? Are you up to it?
Sikhala: I'm not interested about power. My suffering and everything that I've been doing has not been motivated because of power. It is something that I represent the conscience of our people. That is where it begins and ends. Whatever will come thereafter is completely, completely out of question. Whatever comes, the biggest deployers of any role in politics are the people.
Journalist: So, basically we will listen to what the people say?
Sikhala: I will listen to what the people say.
Journalist: If they say become the Triple C leader, what do you do?
Sikhala: Like what I told you, I am not engaged in that kind of politics. I will give the people of Zimbabwe where I am in all this chaos that has been happening in the very shortest posible time coming.
Journalist: Thank you so much.
Sikhala: Thank you.
Journalist: Wish you all the best now that you are back in society.
There has been a lot of speculation both on social media, and offline, that Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of the Citizens Coalition For Change (Triple CCC) Party gave up his leadership role in a deal for the government to release his comrade in the struggle, Job Sikhala.
However, there is no proof that such a thing occurred. And it is simply a culmination of a long and horrendous period marked by a travesty of justice. There are sections of society who see Mr Sikhala as the natural successor of the leadership of the Citizens Coalition For Change party.
But there are those who downplay his involvement citing that he once had his own MDC party that did not achieve much prior to joining hands with Chamisa in the Citizens Coalition For Change.
Time will tell if Mr Sikhala will assume the mantle or throw his hat into the ring. We will await the state of the nation and international address. Till then, we wish the self styled modern Zimbabwean revolutionary all the best of health, reunion with his family and colleagues, and reintergration into society.
Audio Credit @NewsHawksLive
Transcription Services @thegatvolblogger
Picture credit to image with Job Sikhala in yellow shirt goes to ©Mgcini Nyoni via Fadzayi Mahere Facebook
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