BREAKING- JOB SIKHALA DENIED BAIL.
3 September 2020
By A Correspondent- Jailed opposition stalwart Job Sikhala has been denied bail.
Sikhala, who is the MDC Alliance Deputy Chairperson and Zengeza West legislator has been remanded in custody to 17 September.
In its application for bail, Sikhala’s defence counsel made up of Advocate Eric Matinenga, Jeremiah Bhamu and Harrison Nkomo said their client was entitled to bail in accordance with the Constitution which stipulates that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
They also brought three witnesses to prove that their client was a strong candidate for bail including Beatrice Mtetwa who said she represented Sikhala in Masvingo when he was facing treason charges.
Another witness, Albert Masaka a journalist said that he interviewed Sikhala and recorded the videos used by the state against the combative legislator.
Sikhala also stood up as a witness telling the court that he was never in hiding as alleged by the police.
He added that one of the videos was done when he was at his farm as opposed to state allegations that he was in hiding.
The state on the other hand argued that Sikhala was in hiding despite the police issuing an alert of wanted persons which included the name for the Zengeza west legislator.
The Magistrate said Sikhala’s claims that he had gone to Tynwald to look for his wife was not correct as he would not have been discovered by the police hiding in the ceiling as revealed by police details who testified in the case.
Sikhala however professed ignorance that he was on the police wanted list. The state however said if granted bail, he would likely abscond
Sikhala’s lawyers said he had been arrested 64 times and had always availed himself, the state said past conduct was not important as this matter should be heard on its own merits.
This is a developing story. More to follow