On January 24, 2024, Job Sikhala, a former legislator from Zengeza West, and Godfrey Sithole, his co-accused, who is also the opposition CCC member of the house of Assembly for Chitungwiza North, will be told their fate in a case in which the opposition politicians are charged with enciting public violence.
Trial concluded on Tuesday morning.
Sikhala, who was CCC legislator at the time of his arrest in June 2022, has spent nearly 600 days under pre-trial detention and with all his bail attempts tossed aside on numerous occassions by the courts.
Sithole was released on bail,in 2023 after spending several months in pre-trial detention.
Both politicians are charged with inciting public violence which rocked Nyatsime area in the aftermath of party activist Moreblessing Ali’s murder by the now convicted Zanu Pf member Pius Mukandi Jamba.
Jamba was jailed for 30 years for the crime.
Sikhala’s continued detention has invited regional and international condemnation from rights groups and activists who feel his incarceration was motivated by political grudges held by the Zanu PF led government.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi however defended Sikhala’s detention during his address at the official opening of the 2024 legal year in Harare on Monday.
“When you go to the courts do not expect the outcome to be on your side,” Ziyambi said.
“Even our Chief Justice Luke Malaba addressed such matters in his speech while opening the 2024 legal year.
“Cases are looked at both sides.”
Ziyambi urged patience and trust in the judicial process arguing the courts were independent and impartial.
“If you go to the courts, go and expect a fair judgment; anything else, you will be disappointed.
“Those who are saying this and that about Sikhala, they want the courts to do what they expect and what they want.
“Our courts are independent, and they are doing their job with no interference,” said Ziyambi.
The upcoming verdict in the Sikhala and Sithole case is highly anticipated, with legal and political actors following the developments closely.
Sikhala’s case has been the object or a rallying call on the Zanu PF led administration to release political prisoners and end state persecution against opponents. -ZimLive
