Former St. Mary’s legislator, Job Sikala, of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai has been arrested and is being interrogated by police in connection with allegations of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe in conjunction with some Zanu PF officials led by Vice President Joice Mujuru.
Police were still interrogating Sikala at the time of going on air. His lawyer, Douglas Mwonzora, who is also the MDC-T secretary general, told Studio 7 that he suspects that he is being charged with treason.
State media recently reported that police have audio recordings incriminating Sikala but he denied through social media that he was involved in the alleged plot.
Sikala is alleged to have met with a Zanu PF official, Fidelis Fengu, who has since been interrogated by police about the alleged crime.
The former legislator is allegedly being heard in the recording prodding Zanu PF officials on how the assassination would proceed. MDC-T leader Tsvangirai has also been drawn into this issue.
The Herald reported that the assassination was planned to topple President Mugabe and replace him with Vice President Mujuru with Tsvangirai becoming the prime minister.
Zanu PF politburo member, Nicholas Goche, who was also implicated in the plot to topple Mr. Mugabe is said to be in the intensive hospital after suffering from a stress–related ailment.
Sikala was arrested this morning at the Beitbridge border post, Matabeleland South province, as he entered the country from South Africa.
An unidentified police officer, who answered Sikala’s mobile phone, said he was at the police’s Law and Order Section.
For analysis we reached political analyst Pedzisayi Ruhanya who says this is another case of persecution.