Zimbabwe Opposition Politician Job Sikhala Arrested in South Africa Over Explosives

A prominent Zimbabwean opposition leader, Job Sikhala, has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly possessing explosives, his brother confirmed to AFP on Friday

According to South African police, two men aged 53 and 78 were detained after officers discovered 26 blasting cartridges and detonating devices in their vehicle. Authorities said the suspects’ identities would be revealed when they appear in court on Monday

Zimbabwean and South African media identified the younger man as Sikhala, a former lawmaker with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and a vocal critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government

Sikhala’s brother, Harry, said he learned of the arrest from the politician’s lawyers. “He has been arrested, as far as I know,” he told AFP, adding that Sikhala and his uncle were returning from visiting friends when they were stopped by police

It remains unclear how the explosives ended up in the vehicle

Sikhala was released in January 2024 after spending more than a year and a half in detention on charges of inciting public violence charges his supporters said were politically motivated

In an earlier interview with AFP, Sikhala had expressed uncertainty about resuming his political career, saying his long incarceration had taken a heavy toll on him

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The arrest comes amid growing political tension in Zimbabwe following reports that the ruling Zanu-PF party plans to amend the constitution to extend President Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his current term

Several opposition figures and activists have been arrested since he took power in 2017

Writer : Mweru Mbugua