Sikhala to challenge Mnangagwa from prison

Former Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala, currently incarcerated, has initiated a nationwide movement aimed at challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's governance, which has witnessed an increase in the repression of civil liberties, civic spaces, and the arrest of opposition members.

From within Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, Sikhala penned a letter outlining the establishment of "Job Sikhala Solidarity Chapters" throughout Zimbabwe. In this letter, he appointed veteran trade union leader Obert Masaraure as the National Solidarity Organiser for his mobilization campaign.

Sikhala, who has been in pretrial detention for almost two years, expressed gratitude to Masaraure and the Zimbabwean people for their support. He emphasized Masaraure's role in taking the solidarity message to all ten provinces of the country, reaching every village, street, township, growth point, town, and city.

In his message, Sikhala called on Zimbabweans to refrain from engaging in "dubious politics" and urged those who had faced challenges in supporting him to organize themselves without fear.

In response to the appointment, Masaraure acknowledged the daunting task ahead but expressed confidence in the collective efforts of progressive citizens. He highlighted the positive response from volunteers within the first 24 hours, emphasizing their commitment to securing Sikhala's release and likening him to "our Zimbabwean Mandela."