Sikhala's residence petrol bombed

Job Sikhala

MDC99 leader Job Sikhala had his residence bombed late on Friday and he claims this could be the work of Zanu PF.

A minibus outside his St Mary’s home in Chitungwiza was burnt, in what was suspected to be a petrol bombing incident. No one was injured. Sikhala yesterday said the police had since collected what had remained of the petrol bomb and were conducting investigations.

He said the assailants were travelling in a car without number plates and guards outside his house had failed to apprehend the alleged bombers despite giving chase.

Sikhala, who said he was not at home at the time of the attack, said the assailants had left MDC-T fliers outside his house insinuating that they were responsible for the attack.

“It is not the MDC-T, I am certain this is the work of Zanu PF. Why would the MDC bomb my residence then leave fliers implicating themselves?” he asked.

The fliers allege that Sikhala is having secret meetings with Finance minister Tendai Biti, Fidelis Mhashu, Elias Mudzuri and 2008 election presidential candidate, Simba Makoni.

“We have had enough of you, this is just but a warning,” read one of the fliers. Mudzuri and Mhashu were recently axed as ministers, while Biti is reportedly leading a faction opposed to party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Sikhala suspected that the bombing could have been linked to a statement he issued about alleged corruption in diamond mining and sales. Police spokesperson, Wayne Bvudzijena said he was not aware of the bombing.

MDC-T spokesman Nelson Chamisa laughed off insinuations that his party was involved in the bombing. “For me to even apply my mind, it would be very difficult in such a case,” he said. 

Sikhala claims there have been several attempts on his life, with the most recent being an alleged shooting at his car when he was driving from Gutu. The former MP was part of the original MDC when it was formed in 1999.

He joined the formation led by deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara when the MDC split on tribal lines in 2005 and has since ditched the faction to form his own party.