By Cde Honest Vhura Hombe
The home of opposition firebrand Job Sikhala in Chitungwiza got an unexpected facelift last Saturday—courtesy of some very enthusiastic dynamite enthusiasts who clearly skipped their Passion Java anger management classes.
This happened just as Sikhala prepared to launch his autobiography, Footprints in the Chains: The Life Story of Job Sikhala, in South Africa.
Sikhala, who holds the world record for being arrested 68 times without ever catching a conviction.
Drum roll, please!
Let’s nominate that for Guinness before ZESA goes again.
Sikhala recently also had his Masvingo book launch rudely gatecrashed by ZANU-PF youth.
Cameras caught the thugs assaulting attendees, demolishing property, and giving Matthew Takaona’s speech the kind of shredder treatment usually reserved for the Auditor General after a Chigananda has landed another lucrative state tender.
Despite repeated pleas for calm, Sikhala had to cancel the event, because apparently, this regime believes democracy means “first punch, first serve.”
Copies of his book were seized and damaged, while ringleader Esau Mutanho now faces a US$150,000 lawsuit.
True Patriots, the irony is that this man is also contesting for a Masvingo City Council seat.
Only in Zimbabwe can you be both defendant and aspiring councillor at the same time.
Politics in Zimbabwe here isn’t just a contact sport; it’s WWE without the costumes, and real live action drama.
The bombing wasn’t even shocking.
Opposition figures in Zimbabwe have long been treated like piñatas at a birthday party where everyone’s drunk and the blindfolds are optional.
The old Daily News printing press once got a similar “makeover” by CIO interior decorators, and like Castle Lager, the tradition has aged well.
Of course, Sikhala’s opposition to Mnangagwa’s 2030 term-extension project and his habit of calling out looters probably didn’t make him any new friends.
Luckily, no one was injured, though the property now has that sought-after “post-apocalyptic chic” look—think Mad Max meets Kuwadzana Extension.
His biography, Footprints in the Chains: The Life Story of Job Sikhala, made its official debut at the African Centre for Governance in Johannesburg, graced by guest of honour, Mozambican opposition leader Venancio Mondlane.
On the bombing, Sikhala said: “I am just waking up to tens of missed calls and messages that my house was bombed around 1 a.m. last night with dynamite.”
“Police swiftly attended the scene, and my children report that members of the ZRP homicide unit are present, waiting for the military bomb disposal team to remove the explosives.
“As you know, I am in South Africa for the book launch, and my wife was attending a memorial service in our village,” he added.
“Only our children Job Jnr, Ramaloka, Melody, Joshua, and Fidel were at home.
“This is cowardice, and whoever did this will pay a dear price.
“Every normal Zimbabwean must condemn this act of terrorism against my family,” lamented Sikhala.
Sikhala urged his children to cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
True patriots the message is crystal clear the state can bomb, ban, and bulldoze, but the truth is stickier than sadza on a wooden spoon and harder to kill than a cockroach during a ZESA blackout.
