By – In a surprise development that many suspect foul play, the Zanu PF government Monday allowed a private doctor to visit the jailed opposition CCC politician Job Sikhala, who is in critical condition at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, and medically examine him.

 Sikhala’s attorney, Freddy Masariarevu, confirmed to the media that his client was attended to by his medical doctor, who made the following diagnosis:

Job Sikhala’s blood pressure is too high, possibly because of the prison conditions. His right foot is painful, and he is experiencing a sharp burning sensation. The doctor has recommended a colonoscopy. The doctor has prescribed Blood Pressure medication, pain killers and antibiotics”.

A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your healthcare provider check the inside of your entire colon (large intestine).

The procedure is done using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope. The tube has a light and a tiny camera on one end.

 The former Zengeza West Member of Parliament has been in prison since June 2022.

CCC party leader Nelson Chamisa Monday demanded that Sikhala be released from jail.

   In a post, Chamisa said Sikhala’s condition requires urgent and expert medical attention, which is denied to him at present. He said:

FREE JOB SIKHALA IMMEDIATELY! 

I am deeply concerned about the fact that Hon Job Sikhala is seriously ill in Chikurubi. In particular the fact that he has blood in his stools is a very serious condition which requires urgent and expert medical attention which is denied to him at present. This would be bad enough if he was a convicted criminal but he is an opposition politician and respected lawyer who has been denied bail and a fair trial since June last year. The oppressors have callously disregarded our pleas in the past and so I now call on the international community, particularly leaders within SADC, to express concern and to call for his immediate release to obtain specialized medical attention. When icons like Nelson Mandela were held unjustly the world spoke out against the brutal apartheid regime’s unjust treatment of him. This situation requires the same to be done urgently. For our part we will continue to do all in our power to secure his release from detention.

Chamisa’s recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, received mixed reactions. While some people agreed with his message, others argued that merely posting on the platform was insufficient. They suggested that the CCC party should take proactive steps, such as approaching the Constitutional Court.

The CCC maintains that Sikhala did not commit any crime and is in prison on political grounds. Sikhala was arrested and jailed in June 2022 for alleged incitement of violence that erupted during the funeral wake of slain CCC activist Moreblessing Ali