Masvingo Court To Rule On Sikhala Prosecution
14 February 2020
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By Own Correspondent| Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze will on Friday 14 February 2020 hand down his judgment on an application filed by
Zengeza West constituency legislator Hon. Job Sikhala excepting to the
charges of subverting constitutional government.

Hon. Sikhala, who is represented by Beatrice Mtetwa, Jeremiah Bamu,
Blessing Nyamaropa and Tinomuda Shoko of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights filed an application on Monday 3 February 2020 when his trial
commenced in Masvingo excepting to the charges of subverting
constitutional government arguing that the charges do not disclose an
offence.

The Zengeza West constituency legislator pleaded not guilty to charges
of plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government and
went on to challenge his prosecution on charges of contravening
subverting constitutional government as defined in section 22 of the
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act

Hon. Sikhala, who is out of custody on bail was arrested on Tuesday 9
July 2019 by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers.

In court, prosecutors claimed 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.

Hon. Sikhala’s lawyers argued that the prosecution of the opposition
MDC Alliance party’s Vice Chairperson is just harassment of the
Zengeza West constituency legislator through the use of the criminal
justice system.

Prosecutors led by Tawanda Zvekare from the National Prosecuting
Authority argued that Hon. Sikhala wanted to stage a coup with the
intention of toppling President Mnangagwa from power.