Ellen Sikhala convicted, fined

Court Reporter

Ellen Sikhala, wife of CCC legislator Job Sikhala was yesterday fined $30 000 (or two months in jail) after she was convicted of reckless driving by a Harare magistrate.

Magistrate Mrs Evelyn Mashavirakure also prohibited her from driving a Class Four vehicle for six months and that her licence be endorsed.

She allegedly drove against traffic along Seke Road in Harare on September 20.

Sikhala’s wife was convicted after a full trial with Ms Polite Chikiwa and Ms Polite Muzamani prosecuting.

Meanwhile, Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa is today expected to make a ruling on Job Sikhala’s application for exception to a charge of obstructing a police investigation, that is to have the charge dropped.

This is a separate trial from the one where he is charged with incitement of violence, and deals with the investigation into that main charge.

The charge arose after he allegedly addressed mourners at Moreblessing Ali’s funeral and later posted a video on social media which was said to have hindered police from investigating the case.

Through his lawyers, Mr Jeremiah Bamu and Mr Harrison Nkomo, Sikhala wanted the charge to be dropped, arguing that the State’s allegations did not form an offence.

He told the court that he did not post or cause anyone to record and post on social media the video that the State alleges had hindered police investigations.

Sikhala said he had no knowledge that police had launched investigations into the matter, as he was only rendering legal services to Ali’s family.

He also argued that there was an unnecessary split of charges from the one he was charged with, incitement to commit public violence, which arose from the same incident.