SA court grants Zim opposition leader Job Sikhala bail after his arrest for possession of explosives

Prominent Zimbabwean politician Job Sikhala has been released on R10,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrates Court, following his arrest last week on allegations of transporting explosives.

Police discovered 26 blasting cartridges and 15 capped fuse connectors in his vehicle while he was driving in the capital city.

After spending nearly a week behind bars, the prominent Zimbabwean politician was greeted by dozens of supporters who gathered outside the courthouse following his release.

Although visibly relieved to have regained his freedom, Sikhala appeared less receptive when approached by members of the media. The only remark he made regarding his release was that he would allow the South African judiciary to prove the State's allegation that the explosives belonged to him.

"My legal practitioners have asked [me] to not comment on anything. We always believed that South Africa is an independent judiciary. Here there are no feja feja [fraudulent] things."

The matter has been postponed to February next year for further investigations.

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