Zimbabwean opposition leader Job Sikhala and his uncle, Alexander Ferrowst Thema, were remanded in custody after a brief appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates Court.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Sikhala, 53, and Thema, 78, face charges of possession of explosives.
EXPLOSIVES FOUND IN THE CAR
Police arrested the pair on 6 November 2025 after finding explosives in their car while they were driving in a Ford Fiesta along Kgosi Mampuru Street in Pretoria.
They had received a tip-off about the explosives before the arrest.
Police found 26 units of blasting cartridges and 15 units of connector cap fuses in their car.
The court postponed the case to 13 November 2025 for a formal bail application.
SIKHALA’S PARTY RESPONDS
Sikhala’s arrest drew criticism from his party, the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), which denied that the explosives belonged to him.
The NDWG reaffirmed its support for Sikhala, saying it believed his arrest was politically motivated.
“We categorically maintain that the explosives found do not belong to him.
“As the National Democratic Working Group, we stand unwaveringly beside our leader and reaffirm our commitment to defending him through all legal means available,” the party said in a statement.
