Job Sikhala condemns 'barbaric and cowardly act' on his home

Outspoken politician Job Sikhala has described the bombing of his Chitungwiza residence as a barbaric and cowardly act, after unknown assailants targeted his house in the early hours of yesterday.

The attack, which occurred at his St Mary's home, did not result in casualties. Sikhala was in South Africa at the time, preparing for the launch of his autobiography Footprints in the Chains: The Life Story of Job Sikhala. Only his children were present, while his wife was attending a memorial service in the village.

"It's devastating," Sikhala said in response to the incident. "But why this cowardice from whoever did it? They used a bomb, and this bomb cannot be accessed by ordinary people. This kind of evil is not acceptable in the 21st century."

The National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), which Sikhala leads, claimed the attack was politically motivated and represented a serious threat to democracy.

"Such acts of violence are direct assaults on democracy and highlight the grave risks faced by those who engage in political discourse as opposition leaders," the NDWG said in a statement. It urged law enforcement to investigate the attack thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The group also appealed to the international community to pay attention to what it described as a deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. "Respect for democratic spaces and human rights is non-negotiable," the NDWG added.

Police are yet to issue an official comment on the attack.

Sikhala, a former legislator and lawyer, has long been a fierce critic of the authorities. He rose to prominence as a student leader at the University of Zimbabwe and has been arrested numerous times over his political career.

Last year, he was released from prison after spending nearly 600 days in custody. His arrest in June 2022, along with Godfrey Sithole and 14 other activists, followed violent clashes at the funeral of slain Citizens Coalition for Change member Moreblessing Ali. Sikhala was accused of inciting party supporters to avenge her death.

Ali had been abducted, murdered, and her dismembered body dumped in a disused well, sparking outrage and unrest. Sikhala repeatedly had bail applications rejected, with the State branding him a habitual offender. His detention drew condemnation at home and abroad, with petitions calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene.

The latest attack on his home adds to the turbulence surrounding one of Zimbabwe's most outspoken opposition voices.