Job Sikhala faces the wrath of the Patriotic Act after he made particular statements in Geneva, Switzerland while addressing a United Nations human rights platform.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Chairperson Energy Mutodi says Sikhala cannot go unpunished for statements he made that, he says, are false claims.
Also Read: Death Penalty for Corrupt Politicians
Job Sikhala made various claims concerning his arrest and stay in Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
He told the Summit that his arrest was politically motivated and was aimed at getting him out of the way as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF allegedly prepared to manipulate the August 2023 harmonised elections.
It was the only way Zimbabwe’s corrupt regime could manipulate the 2023 elections and stop me from participating in them.
They denied me food and visits from friends, colleagues and family.
The regime piled cases against me during the period of my incarceration. I faced five trials and was convicted twice with one being on a law that does not even exist.
Innocent until proven guilty does not apply to anyone who dares to stand up to Mnangagwa’s corrupt regime.
Sikhala said millions of Zimbabweans have fled the country in fear of persecution. He said:
In July 2023 the regime passed the Patriotic Act, a new repressive legislation targeting free speech and association.
Under that law, I am deemed to be committing a crime just by talking to you.
It is no wonder why millions of Zimbabweans have fled abroad in fear of persecution.
Penalties for those found guilty of violating the Patriotic Act include a fine not exceeding level twelve or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both.
Punishment also includes the loss of citizenship, denial of the right to vote and the death penalty.
