Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
FORMER Member of Parliament and opposition figure Job Sikhala will have to wait longer to learn his fate in a case where he is jointly charged with his uncle, Alexander Thema (78), for illegal possession of explosives in South Africa.
The Pretoria Magistrates Court granted both men bail of R10 000 each when they appeared in court yesterday.
They face charges of possession of explosives and have been remanded to February 3 next year.
Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Pretoria, Ms Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed the postponement for further investigations.
“The Pretoria Magistrates Court has granted bail to Job Sikhala (53) and his uncle, Alexander Ferrowst Thema (78), who are charged with possession of explosives,” she said.
“On November 6, 2025, police stopped the pair while driving along Kgosi Mampuru Street. Upon searching their vehicle, they discovered 26 units of blasting cartridges and 15 connector cap fuses.”
The State did not oppose their release on bail.
Prosecutor Chris Maruma submitted two affidavits from investigating officer Sergeant Thabo Madia, confirming both accused are legally in the country.
Sikhala holds a valid visa while Thema has a South African identity document.
The affidavits also indicated that neither individual could interfere with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.
It remains unclear what the duo intended to do with the explosives. South African authorities indicate such materials are typically associated with illegal mining activities in the Free State and Gauteng provinces, as well as ATM and cash-in-transit bombings.
South African Police Service spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe noted that Sikhala and Thema were arrested following a tip-off.
“Police received information about individuals travelling in a Ford Fiesta in Pretoria during the early hours of Friday morning.
“They stopped the vehicle and found the explosives,” said Brig Mathe.
