Zimbabwe court denies opposition MP pre-trial bail for fifteenth time

In an election year, critics of the ruling Zanu-PF party are claiming political persecution over the continued incarceration of Job Sikhala

A Zimbabwean opposition politician who has spent more than 200 days in prison has been denied bail for the fifteenth time.

Job Sikhala, an outspoken lawyer for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), who was arrested in June 2022 for inciting violence when he allegedly threatened to avenge the murder of an opposition activist, is a victim of political persecution before a crucial election this year, say government critics.