HARARE – The bail appeal by lawmakers Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole suffered a setback on Wednesday when a judge removed it from the roll over incomplete documents.
Justice Munamato Mutevedzi said he could not proceed to hear the matter in the absence of the transcribed record of proceedings from the Magistrates Court.
The two MPs’ lawyers must now file a fresh bail appeal.
Sikhala and Sithole were arrested on June 14 accused of inciting public violence in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza, during a memorial service for slain Citizens Coalition for Change activist Moreblessing Ali.
The two men were denied bail by deputy chief magistrate Gibson Mandaza last week on grounds that they were likely to re-offend and were flight risks because they are men of means.
Sikhala and Sithole approached the High Court through their lawyers Alec Muchadehama and Jeremiah Bamu and the appeal was set to be heard on Wednesday.
Mutevedzi said after a short hearing: “The appellants may refile their appeal when the record is available.”
