Kukurigo
HARARE – Former Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, the MP for Chitungwiza North, were found guilty by Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti on a charge of inciting public violence during protests last year over the death of a fellow campaigner – Moreblessing Ali.
Miti remanded Sikhala and Sithole in custody until January 29 for mitigation and sentencing.
The two were being charged with inciting public violence after they allegedly posted videos encouraging their party supporters to avenge Ali’s death and then hired lorries to ferry people to Nyatsime in Chitungwiza.
The State alleged that 20 families were left homeless following the violence, while 13 shops, six tuck-shops and vehicles were extensively damaged after CCC supporters ran amok, indiscriminately attacking residents of Nyatsime.
Meanwhile, Sikhala also faces a separate charge of spreading false information on X (formerly Twitter), where he claimed that a police officer had killed a baby with a baton while enforcing traffic rules.
He denied the charge, saying he was quoting a local newspaper report.
The magistrate in that case adjourned the trial to February 7, saying she needed more time to write the verdict.
On Wednesday afternoon, a handful of activists staged flash protests outside the courtroom where Sikhala was appearing, calling for his immediate release.
Lawyer Jeremiah Bamhu told the magistrate that his colleague Harrison Nkomo was manhandled by police, even after identifying himself. The magistrate ordered the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate the incident.
