'The dogs wanted to cow me into changing my radical stance,' says Sikhala

MDC-T official, Job Sikhala, who was arrested by state security agents in Beitbridge yesterday, was released on Thursday night without any charges preferred against him.

Alic Muchadehama, the human rights lawyer leading Sikhala's legal defence said, police could not prefer any substantive charges against his client, since they were acting on rumours emanating from the state controlled media that Sikhala wanted to overthrow Mugabe.

"Sikhala was released yesterday night around 8 pm and is at his home," said Muchadehama.

When reached for comment by The Zimbabwean, Sikhala said: "The dogs wanted to cow me into changing my radical stance. I was born like that and am not imitating anyone."

After the release, Sikhala posted a message on his facebook: "I am just waking up now after my release from the hands of Mugabe's evil securocrats, who tormented me from yesterday in the morning to early hours today, trying to squeeze charges that I am plotting the tyrant's overthrow.

"I told them that it is not only my desire to see Mugabe gone but it is the wish shared by millions of Zimbabweans both locally and in the Diaspora, including the majority in his party. I told them that I had not yet started plotting Mugabe's downfall".

Sikhala said police played an inaudible voice recorder as evidence that he was indeed plotting the overthrow of Mugabe.

After the recorder was played, Muchadehama laughed it off and asked for the release of Sikhala. The confused cops could not turn down Muchadehama's request and eventually released Sikhala.

Meanwhile, Sikhala has called on Zimbabweans; "My dear brothers and sisters when your conscience tells you that you are fighting for the good, don't be afraid of the evil men and women among ourselves who are used to subject us into servitude.

"Dying fighting for a noble cause for generations to come is an honour.

"We should never get frustrated with these incarcerations, but be embodied to fight for a just cause," said Sikhala, pointing out that there was no tomorrow for Mugabe and his crew. "He has to go."

According to Sikhala, the true people's plot is coming and will be people driven.

"The country is pregnant with anger. I am also angry. Let's wait for the day," the bitter Sikhala wrote on his facebook page.

Sikhala was caught up in the web of the ongoing Zanu-PF infighting, which have seen VP Joice Mujuru and members of her faction accused of plotting to assassinate Mugabe.

Mujuru, the majority of Zanu-PF provincial chairpersons and other senior party officials suspected to be against the Emmerson Mnangagwa camp and the first family, have since been booted out of different top party positions.

Zanu-PF is set to hold its 6th elective congress from December 2-7 in Harare and Mujuru and her sympathisers have been warned against attending by the pro-Mnangagwa Zanu-PF youths.