High Court reserves judgement in Sikhala bail appeal

Harare(New Ziana)-A High Court judge on Monday reserved passing judgement in the appeal against refusal of bail by St Mary’s legislator Job Sikhala to enable him to go through the record and arguments by both counsel.

Justice Erica Ndewere postponed to a later date, issuing a ruling on the matter after hearing arguments from Sikhala’s defense counsel and the state, which is opposing bail.

Sikhala, who is also the MDC Alliance deputy national chairperson, was arrested on charges of inciting public violence and was denied bail by the Harare magistrate court a fortnight ago.

In denying him bail, the magistrates court ruled that Sikhala’s behavior before his arrest suggested that if granted bail he was likely to abscond.

Sikhala then approached the High Court to appeal against the decision by the Harare Magistrate court to deny him bail.

Charges against Sikhala, who was arrested last month, are that he mobilized the public, through social media posts, to take part in the failed July 31 protests.

The protests were ostensibly intended to register public displeasure over high level corruption in the public sector but the authorities, citing intelligence indicating foreign involvement, said they were yet another plot by the opposition to unseat constitutional order in the country.

New Ziana