By Staff Reporter
MAIN opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has demanded an immediate release of former legislator Job Sikhala who is reportedly ill in prison.
According to his lawyer Harrison Nkomo, Sikhala who has spent 483 days behind bars is reportedly passing blood in his stool.
In a statement Monday, Chamisa raised concern over Sikhala’s illness and demanded that government release him immediately.
“Free Job Sikhala immediately!
“I am deeply concerned about the fact that Hon Job Sikhala is seriously ill in Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
“In particular the fact that he has blood in his stools is a very serious condition which requires urgent and expert medical attention which is denied to him at present.
This would be bad enough if he was a convicted criminal but he is an opposition politician and respected lawyer who has been denied bail and a fair trial since June last year,” Chamisa said.
Chamisa also called upon the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to call for Sikhala’s release so he can seek medical attention.
“The oppressors have callously disregarded our pleas in the past and so I now call on the international community, particularly leaders within SADC, to express concern and to call for his immediate release to obtain specialized medical attention.
“When icons like Nelson Mandela were held unjustly the world spoke out against the brutal apartheid regime’s unjust treatment of him.
“This situation requires the same to be done urgently. For our part we will continue to do all in our power to secure his release from detention,” Chamisa added.
Sikhala was arrested on June 14 last year for allegedly inciting violence to avenge the death of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali who was killed by a suspected ruling party Zanu PF member.
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