Harare magistrate Vongai Guriro Muchuchuti has dismissed an application for discharge by incarcerated Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Job Sikhala indicating that the accused has a case to answer. Harrison Nkomo and Jeremiah Bhamu represented Sikhala.
In her ruling, Guriro Muchuchuti said the video clip showed that Sikhala was present when the alleged public incitement was made. She pointed out that the court had assessed all evidence from the witness and it was not logical to argue that the utterances by Sikhala on the video had no intention of causing public violence. She also ruled that one cannot say that Sikhala was not in the video or that the voice was not his.
Allegations are that on August 21, 2020, the police arrested Sikhala for allegedly inciting people to commit public violence by participating in a protest march aimed at registering concern over alleged mismanagement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
The police also pressed an alternative charge against Sikhala of inciting public violence.
It is alleged that the former Zengeza West legislator incited people between May and July 2020 to participate in demonstrations that would cause public violence and breach of peace among Zimbabweans by posting video clips with messages inciting violence.
The court also heard that Sikhala allegedly summoned Zimbabweans outside the country to participate in the demonstration scheduled for July 31, 2020.
In other news – Vice President Mohadi collapses at Zanu-PF rally
Vice President Kembo Mohadi experienced a health scare during his address at a Zanu-PF by-election campaign launch for the Gutu West constituency, where ruling party deputy youth secretary John Paradza is running. The by-election is scheduled for November 11 and was postponed from August 23 following the death of candidate Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi.
During the campaign event, Mohadi collapsed while on the podium and had to be airlifted to an undisclosed medical facility for treatment. Witnesses described how he asked for water and then fell to the ground. Zanu-PF officials and security personnel rushed to assist the Vice President, carrying him to a nearby vehicle before his evacuation by air. Read More
