I was warned about my house’s bombing, says Job Sikhala

OUTSPOKEN politician Job Sikhala has expressed frustration over lack of progress in police investigations into the bombing of his house by unknown people in August.

Sikhala said his frustration stemmed from the fact that he allegedly supplied police with contact details of unknown callers who had warned him of the impending bombing.

His house was bombed on August 30 while he was in South Africa launching his autobiography.

“There were some very interesting developments that occurred before the attack on me,” the former Zengeza West lawmaker told NewsDay.

“I received messages in July warning me of a plot by a certain section of the national security service against me.

“When police officers from CID Law and Order visited me last month, I showed them all those messages, including the phone numbers and the date and time they were sent, which warned me of an impending attack.

“They promised to inform me of who was responsible, but so far, there has been no public statement on the issue. I have not received any update from the police since the bombing happened.”

When contacted for a comment, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations were ongoing.

“We will divulge the outcome of the investigations at the right time. We don’t do investigations via the private media,” Nyathi said.

“We follow channels and when there is a need to update the public, we will do so accordingly.”

Sikhala, who serves as chairperson and facilitator of the National Democratic Working Group, recently said he had hired private investigators to uncover the culprits who bombed his house.

“I reassure the people of Zimbabwe that the truth shall come out,” he said.

“The private investigators are on it. We are still in the process and when we receive the report, we will decide whether to make those findings public or not.”

Sikhala was released from prison last year after spending almost 600 days behind bars.

He was accused of inciting party supporters to avenge the death of slain activist Moreblessing Ali.

Ali was abducted and murdered, and her severed remains were dumped in a disused well.

Sikhala had several of his applications for bail turned down with the State saying he is an unrepentant repeat offender.

At one time, citizens based in Zimbabwe and abroad petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to facilitate his release.

*Source: NewsDay*