MDC Alliance national vice chairperson Job Sikhala was
yesterday arrested in Tynwald, Harare, after several days of evading law
enforcement agencies who were keen to interview him on allegations of inciting
public violence.
Sikhala is in police custody, assisting with investigations
in a case in which he is alleged to have been one of the advocates for the
flopped July 31 demonstrations.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi yesterday said he will provide more details of the arrest in due course.
“Yes, Sikhala was arrested today (yesterday) in Tynwald
North where he was in hiding. Remember he was wanted for incitement of public
violence.” He is expected in court later this morning.
The MDC Alliance also confirmed Sikhala’s arrest on its
Twitter handle saying;
“#BREAKING MDC Alliance vice chairman Job Sikhala has been
arrested. He is at the police station with his lawyer. Details to follow.”
Party spokesperson, Ms Fadzai Mahere, told the media
yesterday that indeed, Sikhala had been nabbed.
Sikhala was one of the opposition figures who had been in
hiding as police sought to question them on their roles in the demonstrations
that had been planned for July 31.
Other opposition figures that the Police’s Criminal
Investigation Department (CID) Law and Order Department has expressed interest
in interviewing include Makomborero Haruzivishe, Godfrey Kurauone, Ostallos
Siziba, Promise Mkwananzi, Denford Ngadziore, Allan Moyo, Obert Musaraure,
Jimmy Kunaka, Peter Mutasa, Robson Chere, Stephen Chuma, and Godfrey
Tsenengamu.
The bulk of the politicians are from MDC Alliance, while
Mutasa is Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president. Masaraure leads
the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).
Mkwananzi is a member of Tajamuka, a foreign-funded
pressure group.
Some of the opposition members and activists accused of
inciting citizens to participate in the July 31 proposed illegal demonstrations
such as Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume have since been arrested and
appeared in court.
Peace-loving Zimbabweans overwhelmingly snubbed the
protests.
Western embassies, especially the US, are understood to be
keen on having Sikhala as leader of the MDC Alliance because “of his bravery”,
as they feel let down by Mr Nelson Chamisa, who is reportedly “too soft” and
does not want to violently confront the ruling Zanu PF. Herald
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