HARARE – The High Court has dismissed Job Sikhala’s bail appeal for the fourth time since the jailed opposition lawmaker was arrested June last year.
Sikhala, who is Member of Parliament for Zengeza West constituency, has endured many frustrating attempts to secure bail both in the lower and higher courts.
The Citizens Coalition for Change top politician stands accused of inciting public violence during slain party activist, Moreblessing Ali’s tense funeral wake in Nyatsime area June last year.
Ali, whose remains are yet to be buried, was murdered allegedly by a Zanu PF activist in May 2022.
Her family lawyer, Sikhala has seen all his attempts to secure bail fall through with the courts ruling he was an unrepentant offender.
The veteran politician saw 11 bail attempts fail in the lower court.
In the latest attempt, bail ruling was reserved indefinitely some two weeks ago.
On Wednesday, High Court judge Samuel Deme came back to dismiss Sikhala’s appeal without giving detailed reasons for denial.
The lawmaker, now commonly referred to as a political prisoner by the opposition and civil society allies, is also charged with defeating the course of justice.
The charge is derived from the same circumstances under which he is being accused of public violence incitement.
Sikhala’s trial on charges of disturbing police investigations into Ali’s murder opened this week with the legislator denying the charges.
