Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala’s bail bid tossed again

HARARE – Jailed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Job Sikhala has again been denied bail by Harare magistrate, Stanford Mambanje who ruled his court was not yet convinced by reasons proffered by the embattled politician’s claims he should be granted his freedom on changed circumstances.

Sikhala faces charges of defeating the course of justice.

It was the second time the politician’s bail request has been turned down by the same court.

Mambanje did not read the full reasons for bail denial except the operative part.

“Having read the submissions by the state and the defence counsel, the court is satisfied that the applicant has not discharged the burden to satisfy me that there has been an exceptional change in circumstances warranting that the court makes a review of the order previously made by this court denying the applicant bail pending trial. It is for these reasons that this application must fail,” said the magistrate.

Sikhala was denied bail two weeks ago before he took the matter up to the High Court.

His appeal was thrown out prompting him to file another application citing changed circumstances.

The opposition lawmaker is accused of circulating a video which prosecutors claim was aimed at disturbing investigations into the callous murder of Citizens Coalition for Change activist Moreblessing Ali by alleged Zanu PF linked suspects in Nyatsime May this year.

He has been languishing in remand prison since June 14 this year following his arrest on allegations of inciting public violence.

Both offences emanate from the same video image.

Through his lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, Sikhala told Mambanje that it has been long since his arrest without any progress regarding his prosecution.

Mtetwa also said there is no likelihood that the accused will interfere with investigations.

The lawyer submitted that Sikhala has never breached his bail conditions before and should, accordingly be granted the relief he was seeking.

Prosecutors argued that there were no changed circumstances that could warrant the court to reverse its earlier decision to deny the fiery politician his freedom.

Sikhala was arrested together with fellow lawmaker Godfrey Sithole who is also languishing in prison at Chikurubi.

To date, the State has failed to show the courts the video allegedly forming the basis of their prosecution.

The main reason for bail denial has been that the two are likely to reoffend.

The state is leaning on claims Sikhala has been arrested over 67 times in the past two decades and had propensity to commit similar crimes.

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