Job Sikhala, Zimbabwean opposition leader, and his uncle Alexander Thema were arrested in Pretoria on 6 November 2025 after police allegedly found blasting cartridges and connector cap fuses in their vehicle along Kgosi Mampuru Street. Both were granted bail of R10,000 each by the Pretoria Magistrates Court later that month, as the case was postponed to allow investigations and bail proceedings to continue.
However, a forensic report from the South African Police Service (SAPS) dated 16 July 2026 has raised questions about the strength of the prosecution’s case. The report reportedly marked the fingerprint comparison as ‘NEGATIVE’ for both Sikhala and Thema, indicating that no matching prints were identified from the explosives scene. This report has been cited by multiple independent news sources but the underlying SAPS document has not been publicly released for full verification.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana remarked shortly after the arrest that the prosecution had yet to decide whether to oppose bail, pending their own investigations and profiling of the accused. Sikhala and Thema’s bail was granted as those legal processes continued.
The National Democratic Working Group, a political organisation aligned with Sikhala, issued a statement affirming their unwavering support for him and their commitment to defending him through all legal means. They have urged that the questions raised by the forensic report be thoroughly considered as the case unfolds.
Unverified claims circulating in some outlets allege that the explosives may have been planted and suggest possible involvement of Zimbabwe state security agents. These assertions remain unconfirmed by independently verifiable sources and lack supporting evidence such as CCTV footage or authenticated forensic documentation.
For South African audiences, this case highlights tensions between arrest narratives and forensic evidence in politically sensitive prosecutions. The divergence between initial police claims and fingerprint findings raises significant questions about the prosecution’s basis in Pretoria, underlining the need for transparency and rigorous judicial scrutiny. Sikhala’s case is set to develop as the courts and prosecutors assess the forensic evidence alongside other enquiries.
Cape Flats News will monitor updates on this matter, including any further forensic disclosures, court proceedings, and official statements, to provide timely, verified information.