Sikhala’s bid hits brick wall – again

Mathew Masinge
JOB Sikhala and co-accused Godfrey Sithole’s bid for freedom has hit another brick wall after their appeal was struck off the roll.

The two lawmakers had approached the High Court on appeal, after their bail applications were denied by deputy chief magistrate, Gibson Mandaza.

The two were arrested on June 14 for allegedly staging and inciting public violence in Nyatsime following the death of Moreblessing Ali.

In striking the appeal off the roll, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi noted that the papers were not in order.

The judge said the transcribed record of proceedings from the Magistrate’s Court was missing and the hearing could only go on if it was made available.

The two, who are being represented by lawyers Alec Muchadehama and Jeremiah Bamu, are basing their appeal on the assumption that the magistrate erred in his findings.

Deputy chief Magistrate Mandaza had ruled that the two were likely to cause more public violence if they were afforded their freedom soon.

It was also the court’s view that Sikhala was a repeat offender who will not hesitate to commit the same offence.

Allegations against the Zengeza West MP, are that he went on to post videos, encouraging members of his political party, to stand up after Ali’s remains were found in a decomposing state.

For Sithole, the prosecution allege that he acted in connivance with Sikhala, when he bused fellow activists to Ali’s homestead in Nyatsime where violent scenes erupted.