South Africa’s NPA Yet To Decide On Job Sikhala’s Bail Application

South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is yet to decide whether it will oppose Job Sikhala’s bail application following his arrest in Pretoria last week over alleged possession of explosives.

Sikhala appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday and has been remanded until Thursday, when the court is expected to consider his bail request.

Prosecutors alleged that 26 blasting cartridges and 15 capped fuse connectors were found in Sikhala’s vehicle on Kgosi Mampuru Road in Pretoria.

The NPA’s spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said investigations into the matter are ongoing. She said:

“We have not decided whether we are going to oppose their release on bail because we still need to do bail investigations and get their profiles. Only then will we decide whether we should or shouldn’t oppose bail.”

A group of Zimbabwean activists gathered outside the court to show their support for the former St Mary’s and Zengeza West MP.

Speaking to the media, supporter Baron Mahlangu said he believes the former MP is being framed. Said Mahlangu:

“Job is not a stupid person who can take explosives and put them in his car. Job is innocent, and we will investigate and find out who is behind this. I’m saying that he was framed.”

Another supporter, Trust Ndlovu, expressed similar views, saying that a person of Sikhala’s calibre, intellectual capacity, and respect for the law would never put explosives in his car.