Job Sikhala attends Ali’s burial under heavy guard ; attacked for ‘selling out’
By Staff Writer
JUST released ex-Zengeza west lwegislator Job Sikhala was denounced for selling out in songs and chants made Saturday during the late Moreblessing Ali’s burial.
Ali was murdered two years ago and his family vowed they would not lay him to rest until Sikhala’s release.
Following prolonged court processes Sikhala was finally released early this year prompting the family to prepare for Ali’s burial.
However, the chants and songs whuich carried Ali’s burial accused Sikhala of selling out.
” The mourners sang songs like Siyanai naye Chamisa, Mupanduki tengesa uone mashura; Mobi (Moreblessing) akaurayiwa tinozviziva; Chamisa Mai Mwana; Taakuda/vaakuda kuchema; Chera mwana mupanduki nguva yaakuda kupera and Sikhala huya angabude sei akavharirwa nemasasikamu.
After Ali’s burial, tensions rose as the opposition apparatchiks shouted at each other.
One mourner accused Sikhala of causing problems in the opposition CCC saying, “Ibva pano Sikhala, wakatengesa (Leave this place immediately. You sold out the opposition struggle.”
At one point a fist fight ensued resulting in councillor Darlington Musonza, an alleged Sikhala ally, slapping two women in the face.
Musonza’s vehicle was later stoned by the angry mob dressed in blue whilst he sought refuge in his car, pepper sprayed the mob, drove off towards the cemetery exit thereby leaving the crowd shouting obscenities.
He was interviewed by the media and thanked the Ali family for supporting him during his incarceration at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
“At a personal level, l want to thank Moreblessing Ali’s family for standing with me when I was in prison and they made a demand they would not bury her until my release from jail.
“I was happy that I was able to bury Ali today. In 1898, Mbuya Nehanda was assassinated and she said that her bones shall one day rise to free this country. Bones of Moreblessing Ali that we have laid to rest today, shall rise again. This country shall witness the rising bones of Moreblessing Ali,” Sikhala said.
