Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust

We stand in Solidarity with the people's Hero. No to persecution of the People's Hero.

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

We welcome you Leader Job Sikhala . Everyone was missing you. The struggle continues

#VincereCaritate
#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

Zimbabwe has a political prisoner called Job “Wiwa” Sikhala who has been in jail in what is called pre-trial detention for almost TWO YEARS!

This morning he woke up to go to court to hear the verdict of one of his long trials, trials that have become a legal charade defined by repressive politics and not the rule of law.

As Job left Chikurubi prison this morning, he was wearing leg irons and handcuffs as if he is a murder suspect, yet all he has ever done was call for a better country for all, one that gives ordinary citizens a dignified opportunity to life.

Job was a student leader in the 1990s, he became an opposition Member of Parliament and a legal practitioner opposed to corrupt rule and the abuse of political power.

This picture below is a true reflection of how Job Sikhala and many other Zimbabwean prisoners are living in Africa’s worst prison, Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
They have no running water, their open toilet is next to where they sleep with no running water, there are no showers, they get water in buckets once a day when water is available.

The food they eat is only fit for animal consumption and not human beings, I know this because I was jailed at this prison three times inside six months for practising journalism.
I upset Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANUPF political party elites when I exposed how they were stealing public funds, plundering the country’s natural resources and abusing state institutions.

On two of those three occasions I shared a cell with Job Sikhala, a man with unshakeable political consciousness and love for his people and country.

Job Sikhala is being punished for speaking out against the murder of his client, Moreblessing Ali, calling out corruption and the regime is even using laws that don’t exist in Zimbabwe’s constitution to do this.
More importantly, the regime is extremely terrified of Job Sikhala’s ability to galvanise young people and his fearless approach to politics.

Instead of running the country well so that people like Job Sikhala are not a factor, the regime chose to detain him.

He has been arrested 67 times without a single conviction, his journey personifies what Zimbabwe needs, fearless citizens opposed to corrupt rule and abuse of political power.

Job should be at the top of every sane and decent Zimbabwean’s mind because he is in jail for speaking out for all of us and not just himself or his family.

His kids struggle and suffer living from hand to mouth through sporadic public donations, his wife is looking after 11 children without a father to support them both financially and emotionally for almost two years.

Job Sikhala's suffering and persecution highlights broader and deeper issues in Zimbabwe about political repression, legal injustices, and harsh prison conditions in Zimbabwe.

International attention and pressure is crucial in ensuring not only fair trials, but the respect for human rights, the right to speak against corruption as enshrined in Zimbabwe’s constitution and as I said earlier, improvements in the conditions at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Today as the world awaits Job Sikhala’s fate which will be delivered sometime today by what the world knows already to be a captured and unprofessional judiciary, his suffering underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.

If Job Sikhala is not released from prison today, Zimbabweans must stand with his family and the opposition political actors must think about better ways that will ensure that we are all safe from political persecution, corrupt rule, abuse of state institutions, plunder of the country’s natural resources and the looting of public funds.

Pretending that Zimbabwe is a democracy when you are having your MPs illegally recalled from parliament will become an act of active participation in the corruptness of this regime.

Zimbabwe needs more Job Sikhalas, men and women who don’t fold when faced with an evil regime!

Job Sikhala is a Zimbabwean HERO!

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

As the year 2023 ends, let's not forget to pray for Wiwa who has spent more than 18 months behind bars with out bail or conviction. The sacrifice that this man has made is something else.
#FreeJobSikhala
#FreeWiwa

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

“I have no regrets. I seek not my glory but the collective emancipation of all Zimbabweans, and the justice for the spirit of Moreblessing Ali.” - @JobSikhala1

#337Days
#FreeJobSikhala

[Emmanuel Zellers Gumbo @EmmanuelGumbo_]

On April 24th, @SAHRDNetwork, @ZimHRNGOForum, the ZSN and PPA launched two special publications; the Southern Africa model law on the protection and promotion of HRDs and “Justice delayed is Justice denied” Persecution by prosecution in the case of @JobSikhala1

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

There is no struggle without bruises, soldier on fighter!

#freejobsikhala

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

Political prisoner Hon Job Sikhala and Hon Sithole, will be at Harare Magistrates Court tomorrow for trial. The duo will appear in court 14, 31 January 2023 at 09:15am. Let’s attend in solidarity with our change champions.

All roads lead to Rotten Row

Solidarity is our culture!

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

In what has become a systematic deliberate effort to prolong the pre-trial detention of political prisoner @JobSikhala1. The Court postponed trial to 31 Jan 2023. Trial could not kickstart as the state was not ready, evidenced by its failure to subpoenaed witnesses.@UNWatch

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

Political prisoner Hon @JobSikhala1 & Hon Sithole, will be back at Harare Magistrates Court for trial in matter they are jointly charged. The duo will appear in court 14, tomorrow 11 Jan 2023 at 9am. Let’s attend in solidarity with our change champions

Solidarity is our culture!

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

The regime at Harare Magistrates Court has dismissed @JobSikhala1 application to have his trial livestreamed/Televised. @daddyhope @UNWatch @Fromagehomme @CatharineHoey @commonwealthsec

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

We salute you @advocatemahere!

[Emmanuel Zellers Gumbo @EmmanuelGumbo_]

Appreciation post!

Great appreciation to the Citizen’s voice Adv @advocatemahere for the commitment and consistency in standing solidly in solidarity with the political prisoner @JobSikhala1.

#sheroar
#FreeJobSikhala

[nelson chamisa @nelsonchamisa]

WE ZIMBABWE 🇿🇼 SHALL BE FREE! @JobSikhala1 must and will be free. We need the freedom #FreeWiwa

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

Indeed captured courts have failed us, time to utilize the political route!

[NewsDay Zimbabwe @NewsDayZimbabwe]

🔴IMPRISONED @CCCZimbabwe politician Job @JobSikhala1 allies said they had given up on the legal route to secure his release, claiming the Judiciary is captured.
https://t.co/4w12PZsP8m

[Emmanuel Zellers Gumbo @EmmanuelGumbo_]

At the centre of every matter in which @JobSikhala1 is being persecuted on,there are people. He is suffering because of his selfless leadership, his unquestionable desire to champion change. It is time to stand radically in solidarity & be vociferous in demanding justice for Wiwa

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

Please amplify the cries for justice on @JobSikhala1 who is being politically persecuted. @SABCNews @eNCA @BBCWorld @cnni @SkyNews @Newzroom405 @peterndoro @Studio7VOA @humanrights1st @zppINFO @joseph_kalimbwe @zittokabwe @bonifacemwangi @WilliamsRuto @HRC @UN_HRC @Declaracion

[Emmanuel Zellers Gumbo @EmmanuelGumbo_]

Political prisoner, @JobSikhala1 clocks 7 months in pre-detention. Surely, how many more days should he be incarcerated before the world starts to speak?
@HHichilema @CatharineHoey @SenateForeign @PiersPigou @daddyhope @Sophie_Mokoena @commonwealthsec @POTUS @VP @hrw @salo_info

[Dr Walter Mzembi @waltermzembi]

Where the law fails politics takes over

@JobSikhala1+#Nyatsime15

Engage

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

The Magistrates Court will on Mon 9 Jan 2023 deliver its ruling on @JobSikhala1’s application to livestream the trial proceedings.

Tomorrow 05 Jan 23 at 9am, he will be back at magistrates court for trial in a matter he is frivolously charged for communicating falsehoods.

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

No joy for @JobSikhala1, as it has become the norm, the regime at High Court has for the umpteenth denied Hon @JobSikhala1 bail. The truth of the matter is that, the judiciary has failed us!

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

The High Court will hand down its ruling in the @JobSikhala1’s bail appeal matter,tomorrow 4 Jan 2023 at 09:00am

On the same day @JobSikhala1 will again appear in Harare Magistrates Court 15,at 11:15,where he is facing frivolous charges of obstruction of justice

#FillUpTheCourt

[Friends Of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust @FriendsOfWiwa]

In the matter of @JobSikhala1 , State applied for the postponement, so it gets time to consider & respond to the application to televise or livestream the proceedings. The Magistrate has postponed the matter to tomorrow 04 January 2023 at 11.15am in Court 15.

#FreeJobSikhala