A group of Zimbabweans based in Canada Monday thronged the Zimbabwean embassy protesting, demanding for the release of former Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala, who has been incarcerated for over 15 months.
The demonstrators, members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), condemned what they described as the Zanu PF government’s persistent disregard for human rights.
Sikhala was arrested on June 14, 2022, and charged with incitement to commit public violence under Section 187(1)(a) as read with Section 36(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Despite multiple attempts to secure bail, the outspoken politician remains behind bars.
“We are here to express our outrage at the continued detention of Honourable Job Sikhala,” said Amos Tembo, a member of the CCC party.
“The government of Zimbabwe, under Emmerson Mnangagwa, has shown blatant disregard for human rights. Bail is a constitutional right, yet the compromised judiciary continues to frustrate Honourable Sikhala,” he added.
Tembo, who narrowly escaped arrest when the ‘Nyatsime 16’ were arrested, vowed that the protests would continue until Sikhala and the ‘Nyatsime 16’release.
“If Mnangagwa does not release Sikhala and some of our CCC members, we will keep returning every week. Zimbabwe belongs to all its citizens, not to Mnangagwa and his corrupt, incompetent clique,” he added.
Another protestor, Mark Musarurwa, vowed that demonstrations would continue until Sikhala is freed, emphasizing their duty to expose Zimbabwe’s human rights violations to the international community, particularly in Canada, where they are based.
“We have a duty to highlight the plight of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe to the international community, especially Canada, where we are based. The Zanu PF administration has continued to disregard the rights of citizens. We will not stop protesting until Sikhala is released. There are worse criminals, some who are linked to the President himself—they continue to enjoy immunity while those who champion citizen rights are being jailed for no reason. That has to stop, and it’s high time the international community call Mnangagwa to order,” said Musarurwa.
The protestors chanted slogans, sang songs, and submitted a petition to embassy officials, demanding an end to what they called “state-sponsored injustice.”
They warned that their picketing would persist until authorities in Harare release Sikhala and the Nyatsime 16 are released.
Zimbabwe’s human rights record has come under increasing scrutiny during Mnangagwa’s tenure, with numerous activists—including Jacob Ngarivhume, Fadzayi Mahere, and Hopewell Chin’ono—facing prolonged detention after being denied bail by the lower courts.
Critics argue that this pattern reflects a broader erosion of the rule of law, with the judiciary often accused of acting as an instrument of the executive to silence dissent.