All hope lost as Job Sikhala is found guilty of inciting violence

Former Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, the MP for Chitungwiza North, have been convicted of inciting violence by Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti. Defence lawyers ask to do mitigation on January 29, to be followed by sentencing

This has struck a huge blow to his followers who feel he is being unjustly imprisoned for political reasons.

Sikhala has spent more than 600 days in Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Zimbabweans at home and abroad petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene to secure Sikhala’s release.Government, however, said Mnangagwa could not intervene in contravention of the principle of separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Executive.

Also Read: Job Sikhala condemns ‘fake’ colleagues from CCC, ‘they want me in jail’

Sikhala’s continued detention has also attracted international condemnation, with critics accusing the Judiciary of being “compromised and captured” to deal harshly with opposition activists.

Human rights watchdogs have condemned Sikhala’s pre-trial detention while calling for government to uphold the Constitution. According to the Constitution, every Zimbabwean has the right to a fair trial.

Chigweda said Sikhala was a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.“Sikhala’s freedom will mark a new era in the history of Zimbabwe. The movement will launch a protracted struggle to push back against authoritarianism on Freedom Day,” Chigweda said.

“The dictatorship in Harare has to be confronted by a united front of all citizens, so that Zimbabwe can be transformed into a democracy. The solidarity movement views the Zimbabwean State as a perfect neo-colonial State run by incompetent greedy elites.”

Sikhala faces two other charges – obstructing the course of justice and disorderly conduct.In November, he was acquitted on charges of obstructing the course of justice, a case emanating from claims that he had accused Zanu PF of being behind Ali’s murder.