Opposition politician Job Sikhala says he was “kicked out” from Chikurubi Maximum Prison in Zimbabwe on Tuesday night. Authorities allegedly decided to release him early after learning that many people planned to give him a grand welcome upon his release, NewZimbabwe reported. Sikhala had been given a suspended jail term for inciting public violence and was originally scheduled to be released the following morning. He was informed during the night that he had to leave immediately and was dropped off by the roadside. He said:
I was kicked out. I was told you have to go now, that’s the instruction we got so they took me out and dumped me by the roadside. At this time can you imagine.
Sikhala expressed concerns that there may have been plans to abduct him by state agents. He had been in prison since June 2022 when he was arrested for inciting public violence which erupted in Nyatsime during the funeral wake of slain Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist, Moreblessing Ali.
He was convicted on 24 January 2024 after he spent over a year and a half in pre-trial detention. He was denied bail on several occasions. He was further accused of circulating a video inciting the public. However, that charge was dropped before his conviction was overturned by the High Court.
After his release, Sikhala stated that he needed time to figure out his next steps. He still has two pending criminal charges awaiting judgment, with a decision expected on one of the cases on February 7.