Harare Magistrate Dismisses Sikhala’s Application For Discharge
A Harare magistrate has dismissed former Zengeza West Member of Parliament Job Sikhala’s application for discharge in a case where he is accused of disorderly conduct, reported NewZimbabwe.com.
Sikhala, who has been in pretrial detention since June 2022, is jointly charged with Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko (CCC).
Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda on Tuesday dismissed Sikhala and Maiko’s application for discharge and the two are set to appeal the ruling at the High Court.
Dzuda said the prosecution had a strong case and the two should proceed with their defense case.
Sikhala’s lawyer, Jeremiah Bamu, told reporters that they will appeal Dzuda’s ruling because it was unreasonable. He said:
I have instructions to apply for review on the basis that this court made a factual finding that there are inconsistencies.
He is now in sixes and sevens trying to figure out how to respond to them in his defense.
We therefore seek time to file the review and we intend to have filed it before the end of the week. So perhaps we could have an interim remand for two weeks.
Dzuda postponed the matter to October 24 for the continuation of the trial.
Sikhala and Maiko, together with other members of CCC, are accused of disrupting a ZANU PF rally ahead of the March 2022 by-elections.
It is alleged that the accused led a group of CCC supporters to the venue of the rally and pelted ZANU PF supporters with stones.
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