Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has chided President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the continued incarceration of Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala.
Sikhala faces charges of obstruction of justice and inciting violence.
He has been in detention since June 14.
The burly legislator has applied for bail eight times at both the High and the magistrates’ courts without success.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday after meeting a Commonwealth delegation, Chamisa chided the ruling party for the continued incarceration of opposition political actors.
He urged his nemesis to be democratic at all times, even when foreign institutions like the Commonwealth are absent.
He said, “There is no reason why Job Sikhala, Godfrey Sithole and the Nyatsime 14 were incarcerated. They had not committed any crime, and we still insist they are innocent, because the law says you are proven guilty by law, not incarceration.”
Asked about the sudden release of Godfrey Sithole and the other 14 CCC Nyatsime activists after previously being denied bail on several occassions, Chamisa said, “So Commonwealth came and our colleagues were released. We don’t have to look for outsiders so that our colleagues will be released, but we are happy they are released”.
The former ICT minister in the government of National Unity heartily criticized what he described as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) incapacitation in dealing with Zanu Pf members.
He said, “What shocks us is the Zimbabwe Republic Police incapacitation. They seem to have inabilities to deal with issues of incitement of violence, especially by cabinet ministers.
“We have seen cabinet ministers inciting violence, but nothing has happened. You know the names, it’s public, its common cause, and nothing has been done to these individuals in government.”
Chamisa said this responding to a recent statement by the National Housing and Social Amenities minister Daniel Garwe, who doubles as Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson.
Addressing party supporters in Seke on Tuesday Garwe had said, “Courts, military and police belong to Zanu PF; even health workers belong to Zanu PF. Actually we own almost everything.
“President [Emmerson] Mnangagwa said the country does not tolerate violence but if they (opposition) provoke us, definitely we are going to fight them and deal with them accordingly.”
Garwe’s remarks come after suspected ZANU PF youths last week Tuesday barricaded the Media Centre in Harare to stop the main opposition from holding a press conference.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, secretary for elections Ian Makone, and his deputy Ellen Shiriyedenga were forced to exit the venue through the back door as suspected ZANU PF youths cordoned off the place.
The assailants also entered the building and took away CCC banners and materials meant to be used during the Press conference.
However responding to that violent incident ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said CCC should report the perpetrators to the police so that they face the full wrath of the law.
He said if people break the law they should face the full wrath of the law.
Violence seems to be rearing its ugly head, ahead of the crunch 2023 general elections and political commentators are sounding alarm bells, warning of a violent election period next year.