Paul Nyathi

Job Sikhala has been sent back to Chikurubi Prison For another night after Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube postponed ruling on his application not to be placed on remand.

He was arrested last Friday accused of inciting the public to commit violence. Sikhala is challenging the charges brought against him by State claiming they do not constitute an offence.

“Speaking out cannot be by any means interpreted as inciting violence,” Matinenga told the court.

“Political bantering using the words ‘fight’ and ‘war’ does not constitute inciting violence.

“It is very sad that we do not have a culture of tolerance in this country. Instead of protecting those who want to demonstrate or petition, they are sent away from the streets yet the Constitution provides for this,” the lawyer added.

The state said the charges brought against Sikhala showed that his message in the videos encouraged violence by inciting people to besiege Zimbabwe’s embassies in foreign countries.

“He said he is not afraid meaning that he was taking a confrontational approach. We do not dispute that citizens have rights, but they should be exercised within the law by also safeguarding other people’s rights,” the prosecutor told the court.

“Sikhala is a human rights defender but he is also a citizen. If he oversteps, the law will catch up with him.”

The magistrate is expected to hand down his ruling Wednesday afternoon.