Opposition leader Job Sikhala has been released on R10,000 bail after spending five days in custody following his arrest on allegations of possessing explosives — accusations he insists were fabricated.
Sikhala and his elderly uncle, Alexander Thema, were arrested last Friday after South African Police Service (SAPS) officers reportedly recovered explosives from their vehicle following a tip-off. The prosecution alleges that police discovered 26 blasting cartridges and 15 capped fuse connectors during a search.
Both men deny any involvement, with Sikhala asserting that the materials were planted. Appearing before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, the pair were granted bail and their case was postponed to 3 February 2026.
The opposition politician is no stranger to legal troubles.
In Zimbabwe, Sikhala previously spent 500 days in pretrial detention on charges of inciting public violence before being freed last year.
