
Zimbabwe: Parliament of Zimbabwe – Memorandum – Proposed Enquiry into the Al Jazeera (12.05.2023)













“Job Sikhala has been found guilty of obstructing the course of justice on allegations that he videoed a statement that interfered with ZRP’s investigation into the murder of Moreblessing Ali in 2022. Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa said Sikhala’s alibi that he said that he was in Gutu on 25 May, was only an afterthought because it was never mentioned to the police to investigate. The Magistrate added that evidence clearly shows that Sikhala’s utterances led the police to follow new leads in the murder of Moreblessing” (263Chat.com, 03.05.2023).
After 323 days in prison without a trial, Job Sikhala MP was convicted and will serve even more time in jail. A man who is clearly a target and a man the ZANU-PF government wants of the streets. That is so obvious, because they are using yet again a non-existing law to convict another political leader.
This time it’s the popular MP and CCC legislator Job Sikhala. His now a victim and a man who only stood up for justice. Because he was brave enough to question the regime and their monopolized violence. He had to carry the burden and is now detained. Sikhala MP will be barred from the next elections and will not be able to retain his seat. That’s the other price he pays for this conviction.
He has already been behind bars for over 300 days and he will continue to be a felon. This is what “democracy” and change the 2nd Republic is offering. It is what President Mnangagwa is all about and he is proud of it too. He is silencing his critics by detaining and weaponizing the courts against them. That’s what he does, and it shows.
This should send cold chills down you spine. It is despicable and destructive. Just shows how blatant and how it disregards its dissidents. That the state is willing to do it and convict someone in this manner. They are willing to keep someone behind bars for close to a year before convicting them. It is just a political quagmire and planned efforts of stifling the opposition ahead of the polls. Taking out their leaders and making them criminals. Pinning crimes and making them stick.
Sikhala MP is a victim and a political prisoner. That is the legit the case here and ZANU-PF shows how vicious the regime is by doing this. They have targets and they ensure their demise. If you are vocal enough or dares to challenge it. They will bury you in the Courts and you will pay a hefty price. Peace.

“The sentencing of opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume to an effective three years, with 12 months conditionally suspended, has further shown that the country is now clearly an autocratic nation similar to the Rhodesian settler colonial state where people were jailed for merely exercising their basic constitutional rights, like the right to protest. Ngarivhume has been sent to prison for merely mobilising people to protest against government through a stayaway over economic problems and corruption” (The News Hawks, 28.04.2023).
Jacob Ngarivhume has been sentenced by the Court. He has to face time in detention and behind bars. Just for doing his civic duty and protest against the ills of the state. A civilian and a politician taking a stance for a righteous cause.
Ngarivhume, an opposition politician is now paying the costs for choosing to address his grievances in public. Engaging the public and asking them to join in his cause. That he wanted to protest and peacefully demonstrate in Harare is apparently “endangering society” and “inciting violence”.
It just shows what sort of regime that is in Office. This is the Second Republic, which wants to resemble as much as possible it’s predecessors. A Second Republic that wants to laud itself as Revolutionary and Comradely speak of liberation from Ian Smith. While using all the means and methods of oppression like Smith did. That’s why the Rotten Row and the ZANU-PF has become like the oppressors they fought to overthrow.
We know the 36 months conviction of the politician is extra stupid. When the magistrate and the courts are convicting someone on a non-existing law, which is in contrast to the rights given by the Republic’s constitution. You just know the gig is up and the state has used this “law” as a shield and a method to arraign dissidents. While also proving itself partisan without legal justification for arresting, detaining and convicting people on that “non-existing” law. It is just bloody brilliant and Jacob is the latest victim of it.
Yesterday it was Jacob’s turn and tomorrow it could be someone else. His just the latest victim and he will not be the final either. The ZANU-PF and the authorities will pin anyone who dares to challenge it. We have seen activists and opposition leaders vanish… we have seen MPs and other leaders linger in jail and not being released.
The tides are not turning. Under the reign of Mnangagwa things haven’t gotten better, but much worse actually. This is just ahead of elections and it’s telling. If they can do this to Jacob. So many others can follow in his stead. They would find people’s old tweets, videos and whatnot to justify the detention and the criminal charges. That’s what is going down and the opposition should be concerned.
Jacob is now facing years in jail. He is facing a life-time of trouble. His far from alone and anyone who has a platform and are active on social media. They should fear they could be next. No matter how peaceful or respectful of the laws you are. That doesn’t matter when you speak up against corruption, nepotism or the bad governance of ZANU-PF. You are not patriotic or within your rights to do so. You should only praise the government and it’s leaders. If you don’t do that… then you are obliged to get into trouble.
The crocodile are as vicious as the ones he was part of overthrowing. It is really tragic, but the new elite is as pitiful as the predecessors where. They are riding in expensive vehicles while people are struggling. The ZANU-PF has become what they fought against.
Jacob just said what was right and he has to pay the price for it. Jacob is not alone and there are plenty more who is paying a price too. There are more political prisoners in Zimbabwe. He is just the latest “big-fish” and a symbol of how the rulers are ruling the nation. Peace.




“Going forward, and as a country and nation which is proudly African and sovereign, we shall be insisting on the principle of reciprocity when it comes to the practice of international election observation” – President Emmerson Mnangagwa (02.04.2023).
We can all within reason question the usage or the basis of Election Observations Missions, which haven’t delivered anything substantial, or their recommendations aren’t something the nations are legally bound to implement. Therefore, the EOMs tends to fall flat and their missions aren’t doing much either.
Yes, the EOMs are giving another view and perspective on the elections. They are viewing and formulating their ideas of what an election is and should be. How the polls should happen and how it’s fairly counted. Secondly, how it is properly and honestly announced to the public at large, as well. Therefore, no one should be shocked that the 2nd Republic and ZANU-PF doesn’t want that in their midst.
I am surprised that Mnangagwa didn’t come with this “Pan-Africanism” and usage of “colonial” heritage on the EOMs sooner. That he didn’t use it in his first election. However, back then he needed the support and the publicity from the international observers. It would show that he was not only wearing a scarf but was a better Head of State than his predecessor. Now in 2023 he doesn’t need that and couldn’t care less. It is just a formality and a way of “legitimizing” their offices and continuing to be high ranking officials.
“The theory and practice of election observation must be on the basis of equality and reciprocity among nations. Anything less and one-sided diminishes and creates a deep sense of bruise and injury to our sovereignty” (Mnangagwa, 02.04.2023).
Every sovereign nation has the rights to choose or decide who will observe. Though it is another idea or bigger picture, if the President want it look legit or just be a farce. The President can decide and block EOMs from entering. That is his government choosing. Though, the outsiders will question and wonder…. why now? What gives?
Secondly, this isn’t the sound of a supreme or a man who has fate in his own institutions. When he only needs “friendly eyes” and token “yes-men” to vouch himself into credibility. That’s how sycophants and cronies work on overtime. However, outside of that… there is more scrutiny and questions about behaviour.
The current ZANU-PF and Politburo will only allow their ways or means. We know they are playing it this way and they are not even trying to look open. The manner of which they tried to destroy MDC-Alliance and go after Nelson Chamisa’s party shows what they do. They can try all sorts of tricks, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t backfire. In the same regard, blocking and not allowing EOMs can also undermine the ideals of the whole polls itself. Especially, if Mnangagwa wants to be recognized and be respected as a Head of State outside of Zimbabwe.
Alas, we know he wants that and needs that. ZANU-PF and his government need funding and aid from the donors to operate. That’s just a gist of things… and Harare cannot run away from that.
Time will tell, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Mnangagwa blocked EOMs now. He wants to be fierce and “win” his election in darkness. The old man prefers night over day. The crocodile don’t want to show the world how he chews his competition. Peace.
