Browsing tag
HARARE – Former Zengeza West opposition MP Job Sikhala has finally been released after almost two years in remand at the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare.
Outspoken former Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala (CCC) has been found guilty of inciting public violence in what the State claimed was an effort to avenge the death of opposition activist, Moreblessing Ali.
Job Sikhala, the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Vice Chairman who has been incarcerated for seven months for voicing against the murder of party activist Moreblessing Ali claims that he is extremely sick at the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison where he is jailed an suspects colon cancer.
Incarcerated opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Vice Chairman and MP Job Sikhala has filed an application seeking recusal of presiding magistrate Tafadzwa Miti. Sikhala has clocked more than 164 days in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. His colleagues were all released on bail.
Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti has dismissed bail for opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Job Sikhala citing that his 63 arrests previously show that he is an “incorrigible and unrepentant criminal.”
The end of the pre-trial incarceration of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Job Sikhala is likely not to end soon as magistrates and prosecutors are seemingly reluctant to preside over his cases.
The 14 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members of Nyastime who were arrested together with party MPs Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole over controversial charges of inciting public violence have been released after the intervention of prominent constitutional lawyer Thabani Mpofu. Of the 16 arrested in connection with the Nyatsime violence in June, only Sikhala remains behind bars.
The decision by the judiciary to finally release one of the political prisoners, MP Godfrey Sithole two days before the coming of a Commonwealth Assessment Mission to assess Zimbabwe’s possible readiness to rejoin its ranks, has been viewed by observers as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s plan to “hoodwink” the international community into believing that the situation is improving.
Harare magistrate Marevanazvo Gofa on Thursday finally granted ZWL300 000 (US470) bail to opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Godfrey Sithole after the judiciary controversially made him spend more than 150 days in prison. Sithole was arrested on 14 June together with Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala and 14 residents of Nyatsime.
Prison officials reportedly denied incarcerated opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Vice Chairman Job Sikhala (MP) access to his personal doctor at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.