Sikhala explosives case postponed to August 2026

The case involving Zimbabwean opposition figure Job Sikhala and his uncle, Alexander Ferrowst Thema, has been postponed to 3 August 2026, following a request by South African prosecutors who say investigations are still ongoing.

The pair were arrested in November 2025 in Pretoria after police alleged that explosives were found in a vehicle they were travelling in. Sikhala was a passenger in the car, which is owned and was being driven by Thema.

According to accounts presented in court, South African police officers handcuffed Sikhala at the scene, despite him not being the driver or owner of the vehicle. Thema, who was behind the wheel, was not immediately restrained. Sikhala's legal team has raised concerns over this conduct, arguing that it suggests a targeted operation and possible political motivation.

In submissions before the court, the defence alleged that the explosives were planted in the vehicle by individuals linked to the Government of Zimbabwe. They claim Sikhala had been lured to a meeting in Pretoria, during which one of the individuals briefly left with the car keys. It is during this interval, the defence argues, that the explosives were allegedly placed in the vehicle.

Since his arrest, Sikhala has been living in South Africa under strict court-imposed conditions, which prohibit him from returning to Zimbabwe until the matter is finalised.

The prosecution requested the postponement, citing the need for additional time to complete investigations into the case. The matter is now expected to resume in August 2026.