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Madhuku strategy? Sikhala arrested, again
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Opposition politician Job Sikhala and 21 members of his National Democratic Working Group were arrested in Mutare late this afternoon, police have confirmed.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: "I can confirm that Job Sikhala and 21 others have been arrested in Mutare. More details will be released in due course."
According to sources, Sikhala and his group were apprehended in Penhalonga, a mining area on the outskirts of Mutare. The circumstances surrounding the arrests remain unclear, but speculation points to political tensions as a possible factor.
Sikhala, a prominent opposition leader, was released from prison last year after spending nearly 600 days in detention. His arrest had drawn widespread condemnation, with rights groups accusing the government of using arbitrary arrests to silence dissent.
This is not the first time members of the National Democratic Working Group have faced legal trouble. Last year, five members of the group were arrested in Harare for allegedly holding an unsanctioned gathering.
The arrest of Sikhala and his colleagues is likely to reignite criticism of the government's treatment of opposition figures and its alleged clampdown on political freedoms. More details on the arrests and potential charges are expected to be released by the authorities in the coming days.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: "I can confirm that Job Sikhala and 21 others have been arrested in Mutare. More details will be released in due course."
According to sources, Sikhala and his group were apprehended in Penhalonga, a mining area on the outskirts of Mutare. The circumstances surrounding the arrests remain unclear, but speculation points to political tensions as a possible factor.
Sikhala, a prominent opposition leader, was released from prison last year after spending nearly 600 days in detention. His arrest had drawn widespread condemnation, with rights groups accusing the government of using arbitrary arrests to silence dissent.
This is not the first time members of the National Democratic Working Group have faced legal trouble. Last year, five members of the group were arrested in Harare for allegedly holding an unsanctioned gathering.
The arrest of Sikhala and his colleagues is likely to reignite criticism of the government's treatment of opposition figures and its alleged clampdown on political freedoms. More details on the arrests and potential charges are expected to be released by the authorities in the coming days.
Source - newsday
