Slippery Wiwa, bringing sleepless nights to Zanu PF

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By Sibanengi Dube & Togarepi Nyambuya

Zengeza MP Job ‘Wiwa’ Sikhala occasionally gets in touch with millions of Zimbabweans through his eloquent video and audio messages, but is currently as slippery as an eel.

The all-time popular and powerful ‘Wiwa’ is now a daily visitor to our screens from unidentified locations. Sometimes Zimbabweans see him but at times they don’t. He addresses his beloved Zimbabweans in remote areas seated on rocks or standing in rural pathways. Wiwa touched the raw nerves of Zanu PF by pushing for the 31 July protest against the rampant corruption in government. Zimbabwe police, CIO and Army have launched a 24/7 manhunt for him as the regime fears that the ‘loose’ Wiwa might bring a fatal headache for the Zanu PF led government. No amount of money is being spared for his capture, but Wiwa seems to be ahead of the government goons.

Who is Wiwa, as he is affectionately known? Sikhala is the deputy national Chairman of MDC A, a Law Masters student at Midlands State University and a practicing lawyer in Harare. Wiwa attended three schools for his secondary education. He went to Chiwara in Gutu, Muzungunye in Bikita and Jameson High School in Kadoma for his A levels. He completed his degree in History and Economic History from University of Zimbabwe in 1999. He also obtained a Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree from the same University. He started active politics at the University of Zimbabwe where he served in the SRC in various capacities. He served in the same SRC with the late Learnmore Jongwe, Daniel Malokela aka Fortune Mguni and Tafadzwa Musekiwa. Straight from a university classroom, Wiwa found himself in Parliament in 2000 at a tender age of 25, after winning the St Marys parliamentary. His friend Musekiwa was 22 and Jongwe was 24 when they became members of Parliament. When asked years later to comment about such a phenomenal achievement at such a young age Wiwa said: “We were intellectually and sexually appealing by then.” Trouble, drama and headaches have always been part of Wiwa’s many lives since then, before and even now.

I first met Wiwa in 1998 who by then was the Spokesman of the UZ SRC. He became popular with journalists for spewing controversial catchy phrases. I was working for the Standard newspaper when I had my first interview with him. I had a good interview with him and produced an excellent story that was loaded with powerful quotes and heavy sound bites. That was the beginning of a long relationship which gave me access to exclusive stories of his appearances at various disciplinary hearings for student activism. Since then he has been my constant source of stories. The down to earth ‘Wiwa’ who is forever jovial has genuine love with fellow human beings, is forthright in his dealings with people and open about everything. Nothing scares him in his life. What he says is what he does. Wiwa could be easily mistaken to be careless but is such a character who watches closely where he places his foot. He drops shocking utterances and threats without any regret even at the expense of his freedom. He is clearer on what he doesn’t want than what he wants. He describes himself as a freedom fighter that is prepared to pay the ultimate price for the liberation of Zimbabwe. True to his character he remained in the township of Chitungwiza when the majority of his MDC comrades moved to affluent suburbs.

As to where he is right now could be everyone’s guess which is just as good as mine. Three days ago he was said to be in Zambia where rumour says he went to see a Pastor friend for prayers as he is determined to fight on until something happens in Zimbabwe. It is said he is so angry over the arrest of his friends Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume as they have been planning this together for a longtime. They agreed to launch Jacob Ngarivhume on the forefront first while he remains on the wings to disguise the State. He will pop up later as supporting the cause. Several planning and strategy meetings were held at Hopewell Chin’ono’s Chisipiti home since December last year that the time is up to deal with the looting in the country.

It all started with a flier of Ngarivhume early last month looking enigmatic and people should have raised eyebrows on the graphic design of the flier. Ngarivhume came out on the flier as the bull roaring for a fight and it ignited the nation into frenzy. Job Wiwa Sikhala was silent and nowhere to be seen.

They tasked each other roles. Wiwa underground mobilization, Hopewell to lobby other significant political players in the country such as Dr. Nkosana Moyo, Dr Noah Manyika and to approach Nelson Chamisa for endorsement. Jacob Ngarivhume to approach civic society organizations, ZCTU and ZINASU, Churches, youths and women organizations, vendor organizations and other important personalities such as Shingi Munyeza, Tsenengamu and every important stakeholder in the country. Sikhala activated his political cells and approached some of his friends such as Obert Masaraure for the wayforward. Wiwa helped Obert Masaraure to launch his Poverty Liberation Movement converging some civic society organizations under it. So this thing was organised over a period of a longtime than anyone would imagine. Wiwa was the master strategist of everything.

Wiwa went into brief confusion after the arrest of his buddies. He weighed options whether it was the right time for him to come out. After visiting his Zambia pastor friend for prayers the cat bolted out of the bag. He vowed to take charge in the absence of his colleagues. He held a one hour program with ZimEye which had an audience of over 19 000. He was bold and assertive. Clearly giving the country the wayforward on the 31st July plot.

Those who underestimate Wiwa are doing it at their own peril. He is a man so organised on strategy and planning. Wiwa has excellent public relations flairs that makes him relate with anyone and at whatever level. He lays back while he is the danger behind. He always emphasises on planning. His famous statement always in meetings is “a good planner dont go wrong”. His advantage is his knowledge of intelligence. He can predict correctly the reaction of his enemies step by step. There is no plot against him which he would not know in advance. He is a master on those things.

They missed him at the Zambian border and like Osama bin Laden launches an attack from an unknown place. Knowing him well he will be elusive until the day he will surrender himself to the police. I don’t think even his wife knows where he is. He keeps it to himself. Will the police whom he heard wants to raid his house today either in the morning or evening get him? Lets wait and see. The new Osama bin Laden.