SIKHALA’S COURT FIGHT SHOWS WHY ZIMBABWE IS NOT FREE

Job Sikhala is back in the news again. He has started an appeal against his court case, and the whole world is watching. Sikhala is a strong voice against the ZANU PF government. He was found guilty for sharing what they called “false information” about the state. The government used a law called Section 31a(iii) to charge him. This law is seen by many people as a tool to silence those who speak out.

Sikhala was told by the court to pay a fine of US$500. If he does not pay, he must go to prison for two months. On top of that, he was given a nine-month prison sentence, but it is suspended for five years. That means if he says or does anything the state does not like in the next five years, he will go to jail. Many people say this is unfair and that it shows Zimbabwe is not a free country.

Sikhala is known for speaking the truth, even when it is dangerous. His trouble with the law started after he spoke out about the killing of Moreblessing Ali. She was a member of the opposition. Her ex-boyfriend, who supports ZANU PF, was arrested and sent to prison for 30 years. But Sikhala was the one locked up for almost 600 days just for speaking about it. He stayed at Chikurubi Maximum Prison without trial for all that time. That is how the government punishes those who speak out.

Now Sikhala is appealing. He wants to clear his name. But this is not just about him. This is about every Zimbabwean who wants to speak freely. The law used against him is dangerous. It can be used to jail anyone who says something the government does not like. That is not right. That is not freedom.

This is also a test for Zimbabwe’s courts. Many people do not trust the courts because they think the judges only do what ZANU PF wants. But some still hope the courts will be fair this time. If the appeal works, it will give people hope. If it fails, it will show that justice in Zimbabwe is only for the powerful.

This case has also made the world pay attention. People outside Zimbabwe are watching. They want to see if Zimbabwe respects human rights. They want to see if the country allows people to speak freely without fear. So far, things do not look good. Critics say the government is trying to scare everyone who speaks out. They say the goal is to make sure the opposition is weak before elections.

The government says they are just following the law. But it is clear that the law is being used to attack those who do not agree with them. This is not justice. This is punishment.

Sikhala’s case shows us something simple but powerful: speaking the truth in Zimbabwe is dangerous. But it also shows courage. Even after nearly 600 days in prison, Sikhala is still fighting. He is not giving up. He is showing us that we must never stop speaking out.

This case is bigger than one man. It is about whether Zimbabwe will ever be free. It is about whether people will be allowed to speak their minds. It is about whether the courts will protect the people or protect the powerful.

Everyone is waiting to see what the court will say. Whatever happens, the fight is not over. Zimbabweans must keep speaking. They must keep fighting for justice. Because silence helps the oppressor. And brave people like Job Sikhala remind us that freedom is not given — it is demanded.