SIKHALA QUESTIONS MISSING EVIDENCE IN SA EXPLOSIVES CASE

By SBT Reporter, Harare

Zimbabwean opposition politician Job Sikhala has raised concerns over what he says are missing forensic results and CCTV footage in his South African explosives case, accusing investigators of failing to account for evidence that could support his defence. Sikhala and his uncle, Alexander Ferrowst Thema, are facing charges of possession of explosives following their arrest in Pretoria in November 2025.

In a statement concerning the latest developments, Sikhala's camp said DNA and fingerprint test results, which allegedly failed to link either man to the explosives, were absent from a bundle of State documents supplied to their lawyers. The defence also claims that CCTV footage from Wonderboom Shopping Centre, which it says captured the alleged planting of explosives in Thema's vehicle, was missing from the documents.

The latest concerns reportedly emerged after the legal team examined the material provided on Thursday. The claims have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the missing material was formally included in the State's disclosure bundle, withheld pending further proceedings or is being held separately by investigators.

Defence disputes account of arrest

The statement also challenges the account allegedly given by the arresting officer regarding Sikhala's detention. According to the defence, the officer's statement suggests that police were instructed to question Sikhala about a paper bag after Thema indicated that his nephew could provide information about it.

Sikhala's camp disputes that account, saying Thema protested against his nephew's arrest and offered to be arrested himself rather than have Sikhala detained. The statement further alleges that Sikhala was handcuffed and photographed during the arrest, with the images circulating publicly within approximately 30 minutes. The defence argues that the circumstances surrounding the arrest raise questions about how the operation was conducted.

It has also alleged that Zimbabwean security personnel worked with South African agents to implicate the two men. However, no independent evidence has been presented publicly to establish those allegations, and the claims have not been confirmed by South African authorities.

Forensic evidence previously reported

In August 2026, reports emerged that DNA and fingerprint analyses had failed to connect Sikhala and Thema to the explosives allegedly discovered in their vehicle. The defence also maintained that investigators had obtained CCTV footage which it said showed an individual placing the explosives in the vehicle.

The case was postponed to allow South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to review the investigation docket and determine whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed. The reported absence of the material from the latest documents supplied to the defence has now raised fresh questions about the handling and disclosure of evidence.

Asked to comment on the latest development, Sikhala reportedly said there were several legal remedies available under South Africa's Criminal Procedure Act of 1977.

He dismissed the handling of the matter as amateurish and suggested that further details would emerge through the legal process. "Wait and see how the exposure will unfold," he said. The NPA and South African Police Service have yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations.

The two accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence as the proceedings continue.

Job Sikhala South Africa case