Former St Marys, and Zengeza West MP, Job Sikhala, has accused CCC leaders of abandoning him while he was in prison.
Sikhala was freed on Tuesday, 30 February, after spending nearly 600 days of pre-trial detention for inciting public violence in Nyatsime in 2022.
Speaking to SABC News at his home in Chitungwiza, hours after his release, Sikhala said that only his family and close associates pushed for his freedom during his incarceration. He said:
Neither of the current protagonists in the quarrel and conflict in the opposition ranks did absolutely nothing about me when I was in incarceration for the sake of my freedom.
He said the ongoing infighting within the opposition in Zimbabwe is a sign of people who have diverted from the original cause of fighting for the masses.
Sikhala was arrested on 21 August 2020 in Tynwald North and was charged with incitement to commit public violence or alternatively, incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry.
He was eventually granted $50 000 bail by High Court Judge, Justice Erica Ndewere on 22 September 2020.
Sikhala was also ordered to surrender his passport, to report three times a week to St Mary’s police station and not to post audio or videos on social media.
He was again arrested in June 2022 and charged with inciting violence when he allegedly threatened to avenge the murder of an opposition activist, Moreblessing Ali. A Harare court described him as a habitual offender.
Following his arrest for the violence in Nyatsime, Sikhala was denied bail several times which resulted in him spending 595 days in pre-trial detention.
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