NDWG condemned another postponement in Job Sikhala’s trial in South Africa, alleging political interference and a pattern of obstruction.
A fresh postponement in Job Sikhala’s South African trial has reignited NDWG’s outrage, with the group calling it a “sustained injustice” and alleging political persecution.
The National Democratic Working Group said the matter, involving Sikhala and co-accused Alexander Thema, was heard at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court and then remanded to August 3, 2026.. Authorities indicated that outstanding forensic evidence was behind the delay, but NDWG rejected the explanation, arguing that repeated postponements suggest obstruction rather than ordinary procedure.
NDWG vice spokesperson Nontokozo Dube said the latest decision reflects a justice process that keeps dragging on while the accused remain in limbo.
In this context, the NDWG’s critique is less about a single date being missed and more about how delays can affect legal certainty and public confidence in court timelines.
NDWG also reiterated that Sikhala and Thema deny the charges tied to allegations that explosives were found in their vehicle after their arrest last year. The group maintained that the evidence was planted.
Beyond the stated reason for the postponement, NDWG questioned timing and said it appeared linked to recent regional diplomatic engagements. The organisation suggested this raised the possibility that political considerations could be influencing how the case moves.
This matters because when legal processes are perceived to be shaped by politics, it can deepen mistrust and widen the gap between court outcomes and public expectations.
The NDWG went further, describing the prosecution as an example of “weaponised state machinery” used to target political opponents beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. The group argued that Sikhala’s continued stay in South Africa amounts to an intentional effort to undermine opposition mobilisation.
NDWG called on South Africa’s justice system to expedite the case “without fear or favour.” It also urged the SADC and the international community to support democratic principles, while NDWG said it would push for vigilance as the next hearing approaches.
At the close of its statement, the group signalled continued mobilisation and said Sikhala had expressed gratitude to supporters who attended court in solidarity. NDWG’s message was blunt: an injustice to one is an injustice to all.