UK govt petitioned over Sikhala arrest

ZIMBABWEANS based in the dspora representing political parties and civic groups petitioned the United Kingdom government last week to intervene in the plight of Job Sikhala and other political prisoners.

The Zengeza West MP has been in pre-trial detention since June last year on charges of inciting violence after the murder of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change activist Moreblessing Ali.

He faces a separate charge of obstructing the course of justice over the same case.

Sikhala and the opposition say his arrest is political. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation, the Restoration of Human Rights to Zimbabwe, MyRight2Vote, (MR2V), Citizens Coalition for Change, Mthwakazi Republic Party and Zapu, among others also said Sikhala is a political prisoner in their petition.

“This petition is now on its way to all the Southern Africa Development Community countries,” MR2V chairperson and former Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni said.