Political Reporter

Jailed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim deputy national chairperson, Job Sikhala has lamented that he felt deserted by his party’s leadership following his continued detention in remand prison on charges of inciting violence during the funeral of murdered CCC activist Moreblessing Ali in June this year.

A source who spoke to this publication said that Sikhala lamented to the Front for the Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe (FEEZ) leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu, Jim Kunaka and Sybeth Musengezi who visited him last Saturday that he felt neglected by his own party following his arrest some two months ago.

According to the source, Sikhala who was visibly troubled told the trio of Tsenengamu, Kunaka and Musengezi that following his arrest in June, he expected CCC leadership and members to continuously picket at the magistrate’s court demanding his immediate release from remand prison but that didn’t happen.

“Sikhala told Tsenengamu, Kunaka and Musengezi that he felt betrayed by his party’s leadership which has failed to stand with him during his incarceration. Sikhala said that he regretted being at Ali’s funeral as those he expected to push for his release from prison have forgotten about him. Sikhala told Tsenengamu that he should be careful when doing his politics as people who seem to be supportive will desert you during your time of trouble,” said the source.

According to the source, Sikhala told Tsenengamu that he was angered after learning that there was a CCC member who was going around Zengeza West constituency campaigning for the 2023 elections despite Sikhala being the sitting legislator for the area.

The source added that Sikhala confided in Tsenengamu that he was worried about his family as he was the bread winner. Sikhala further complained that his family was footing the transport bills to come and see him in jail without getting any financial help from the party.

According to the source, in no uncertain terms, Sikhala blamed Nelson Chamisa for failing to vigorously push for the Free Sikhala Campaign, opting to hold rallies to campaign for votes ahead of the 2023 Harmonised General elections.

Meanwhile, Sikhala together with some CCC activists were arrested in June this year following the violence that erupted at Ali’s funeral in Nyatsime area. Sikhala was singled out as the instigator of that violence.