We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Zimbabwe opposition lawmaker Job Sikhala was found guilty in May of obstruction of justice and is now on trial on additional charges of incitement to commit violence and disorderly conduct. But he's not alone. Rights groups say the charges against Sikhala are part of a wider crackdown on the opposition ahead of August 23 elections. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare, Zimbabwe
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
(PLAYBOOK SLUG: ZIMBABWE OPPOSITION CRACKDOWN TV/R
HEADLINE: Zimbabwean Opposition Politician Spends a Year in Jail
TEASER: Sikhala says prison has hardened his resolve to fight “until justice is obtained”
PUBLISHED AT: Wednesday, 06/28/2023 at 11:50am
BYLINE: Columbus Mavhunga
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: HARARE, ZIMBABWE
VIDEOGRAPHER: Blessing Chigwenhembe
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, ide, djones approved
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:45
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Zimbabwe opposition lawmaker Job Sikhala was found guilty in May of obstruction of justice and is now on trial on additional charges of incitement to commit violence and disorderly conduct. But he's not alone. Rights groups say the charges against Sikhala are part of a wider crackdown on the opposition ahead of August 23 elections. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare, Zimbabwe.]]
((NARRATOR))
Even coming to court for trial, Job Sikhala, the Zimbabwean opposition activist, arrives alone, unlike other inmates. He is still defiant, after more than a year in prison, telling VOA outside the court:
((Job Sikhala Zimbabwe Opposition Activist)) ((English 12 seconds))
“It feels that they are continuing with their persecution of myself. I have been hardened and I will continue to fight until justice is obtained.”
((NARRATOR))
The 51-year-old opposition politician is facing charges of inciting violence and obstruction of justice by allegedly threatening to avenge the murder of an opposition activist. But Sikhala and rights groups disagree. His lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, explains:
((Harrison Nkomo, Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights))
((English 28 seconds))
“Job Sikhala believes strongly that his incarceration has absolutely nothing to do with the law. It is a politically motivated prosecution which in this case has succeeded
because he is out of the 2023 election contest. And obviously he awaits if there is a by-election or 2028 election. But his view is very, very clear, they wanted to oust him out of the contestation for 2023 and they have succeeded.”
((NARRATOR))
When asked about Sikhala’s allegations that the charges are politically motivated, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Zimbabwe’s justice minister, denies them. He says President Emmerson Mnangagwa is actually making life better for all peace-loving politicians:
((Ziyambi Ziyambi Zimbabwe Justice Minister)) ((English 23 seconds))
“Generally, laws now allow - within the limits - that are required to ensure public order - for people to campaign freely. I do not know anyone who has been barred from campaigning. If anything, his excellency whenever he addresses a public gathering his call is: Let’s be peaceful in our campaign.”
((NARRATOR))
When Zimbabweans go to polls on August 23, Sikhala may only be allowed to vote if he is released on bail or is only fined for his second charge. He will certainly not be a candidate - just like another opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume, who is serving a 36-month sentence at the same maximum-security prison as Sikhala.
Rights groups say both men were simply exercising their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and that their arrests are part of a growing crackdown against opposition voices and dissent in Zimbabwe.
((Columbus Mavhunga for VOA News, Harare, Zimbabwe)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJune 28, 2023 12:05 EDT
BylineColumbus Mavhung
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media, Voice of America - English
