The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) vice-chairperson
has been in pre-trial detention since June last year on charges of inciting
violence at the funeral wake of party activist Moreblessing Ali by an alleged
member of the ruling Zanu PF party.
He is also facing charges of obstructing the course of
justice and disorderly conduct, and has been denied bail countless times.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of two publications
authored by Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, Zimbabwe Human
Rights NGO Forum, Civic Space Network, and Political Prisoners in Africa, a
heartbroken Ellen said it had not been easy for her to fend for the family.
“It is always confusing to spend the whole day roaming
around the courts with nothing materialising, just like today (Monday), we had
been at the court since morning, but nothing has changed,” Ellen said.
“We just hope that the Lord will keep him safe for us in
the horrible cells he’s living in. It is a place he is not supposed to be, but
our hands are tied. We just pray and hope that the Lord will take us through.”
Tears flowed freely when she talked about how the
incarnation of her husband had affected their children.
“The experience is just bad for us, even for the kids. They
are becoming impatient now. Sometimes it’s hard to explain things to them, but
we want to thank the listening ear of our Lord that is keeping them strong
also,” she said.
Sikhala recently told our sister newspaper The Standard
that he was “bitter, angry and will not forgive” CCC leadership for allegedly
conniving with the regime to keep him in prison.
The CCC leadership has, however, dismissed the claims.
Newsday
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