By Kumbirai Mafunda
Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo on Monday 15 July 2019 ended the detention of MDC National Vice-Chairperson Hon. Job Sikhala after granting him ZWL$5 000 bail.
Hon. Sikhala had been detained at Masvingo Remand Prison after he appeared before Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa at Bikita Magistrates Court on Thursday 11 July 2019 and remanded in custody after he was arrested and charged with plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
As part of his bail conditions, Justice Wawambo also ordered Hon. Sikhala to report once per week on Fridays at St Mary’s Police Station in Chitungwiza until the matter is finalised and to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court at Bikita Magistrates Court.
The Zengeza West legislator, who was represented by Jeremiah Bamu, Tinomuda Shoko and Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and investigations and to continue residing at his residence in St Mary’s high-density suburb in Chitungwiza until the matter is finalised.
Hon. Sikhala was detained on Tuesday 9 July 2019 and charged with subverting constitutional government as defined in section 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors alleged that Hon. Sikhala advocated for the overthrowing of government through unconstitutional means during his address to some MDC party supporters at a political rally held on Saturday 6 July 2019 at Mandadzaka Primary School in Bikita in Masvingo province.
He returns to Bikita Magistrates Court on Wednesday 24 July 2019.
