Former Zimbabwean parliamentarian Job Sikhala has been detained in Pretoria, South Africa, after police reportedly discovered explosives in his vehicle. The arrest has stirred strong reactions in political circles, with Sikhala’s associates suggesting he was targeted in a cross-border operation orchestrated by Zimbabwean intelligence agencies.
According to accounts shared by opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume, Sikhala had attended a meeting with individuals who presented themselves as members of a Congolese political group. After one of the hosts briefly took his car keys, Sikhala was later stopped by police, who then conducted a search and allegedly found explosives inside the vehicle. Associates claim Sikhala was lured to the meeting under the promise of financial support for his democratic activism in Zimbabwe.
Images circulating online show Sikhala in handcuffs next to a companion, with another photo depicting a yellow bag said to contain the explosives. Lawyers from both Zimbabwe and South Africa are reportedly involved, but as of November 7, authorities have yet to confirm official charges or details of the investigation. Sikhala is expected to appear in court in Pretoria, though a date has not yet been set.
According to accounts shared by opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume, Sikhala had attended a meeting with individuals who presented themselves as members of a Congolese political group. After one of the hosts briefly took his car keys, Sikhala was later stopped by police, who then conducted a search and allegedly found explosives inside the vehicle. Associates claim Sikhala was lured to the meeting under the promise of financial support for his democratic activism in Zimbabwe.
Images circulating online show Sikhala in handcuffs next to a companion, with another photo depicting a yellow bag said to contain the explosives. Lawyers from both Zimbabwe and South Africa are reportedly involved, but as of November 7, authorities have yet to confirm official charges or details of the investigation. Sikhala is expected to appear in court in Pretoria, though a date has not yet been set.
