Today, veteran Zimbabwean opposition leader Job Sikhala begins yet another trial, this time in Pretoria, South Africa. For many Zimbabweans, this news does not bring shock. It brings anger, pain, and a deep sense of injustice. Sikhala has become a symbol of how far the ZANU PF system is willing to go to silence voices that speak for the people. Even outside Zimbabwe, the shadow of political persecution continues to follow him.
Sikhala was arrested in Pretoria on November 6, 2025, together with his uncle, Alexander Thema. South African police said they found 26 blasting cartridges and 15 connector cap fusers in his vehicle. Because of this, he was charged with the illegal possession of explosives. From the very beginning, many Zimbabweans questioned this story. It did not make sense that a man known for speaking, organising, and resisting injustice through politics would suddenly be linked to explosives.
After spending several days in custody, Sikhala was granted bail of R10 000 by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on November 13, 2024. His freedom came with heavy conditions. He was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in South Africa until the case is finished. This meant he could not return home, could not travel freely, and remained trapped in a legal battle far from his country.
Supporters and lawyers of Sikhala have strongly said that this arrest was not ordinary law enforcement. They believe it was a political setup, a planned sting operation designed to destroy him. For years, Sikhala has been one of the loudest critics of the ZANU PF government. He has spoken openly against corruption, abuse of power, and the suffering of ordinary people. Because of this, he has paid a heavy price.
This is not the first time Sikhala has faced persecution. In Zimbabwe, he spent 595 days in pretrial detention before being released in early 2024. For almost two years, he was locked up without a proper conviction. His detention was meant to break his spirit and send a warning to others who dare to resist. But even after his release, the pressure did not stop.
Before his arrest in South Africa, Sikhala was allegedly targeted in other disturbing incidents. In August 2025, there was a bombing at his home. This terrifying act showed just how dangerous it has become to stand against those in power. Instead of investigating these attacks seriously, the system continued to treat Sikhala as the criminal, not the victim.
Over the years, Sikhala has been arrested about 70 times because of his political activities. This number alone tells a painful story. No ordinary politician is arrested that many times unless the state is using arrests as a weapon. ZANU PF has turned the law into a tool of fear. Courts, police, and prisons are used to exhaust, intimidate, and silence opposition leaders.
Today’s trial in Pretoria must be seen in this full context. This is not just about explosives. It is about a man who refuses to be quiet. It is about a ruling party that cannot tolerate dissent. As Zimbabweans who want freedom and justice, we must watch closely. The struggle does not end at the border. The fight against ZANU PF oppression continues, wherever its victims are dragged to face persecution.