OPPOSITION Citizens Coalition for Change deputy national chairperson Job Sikhala was brought to court on Thursday in movie style with speeding motorcade and a heavy police presence.
Dozens of anti-riot police officers in a truck escorted the vehicle which brought Sikhala to Harare magistrates’ courts to face charges of inciting public violence.
According to state papers in opposition of bail, Sikhala has a propensity of committing similar crimes and is a flight risk.
Read the state reasons below:
1. Accused has known record/previous conviction (state) To be established.
2. Accused has pending cases at court (quote Station, C.R/CRB NO) Accused(1) has a pending case of Incitement to Participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry as defined in Section 187(1) (a) as read with Section 36 of the Code. Harare Magistrates Court CRB ACC 97/20.
3. Accused is likely to abscond (give reasons e.g. has no family, no house, etc,) Accused persons are likely to abscond since they are facing a serious offence which attracts a maximum sentence of ten years. They also tried to flee the police who were to arrest them.
4. Accused is likely to interfere with evidence /witnesses (give reasons why you say so) Both accused are Members of Parliament and have influence in the affected area.
5. Accused is likely to commit other offences (give reasons) Accused (1) has propensity to commit other offences as he committed this offence whilst he is on bail on a similar matter which is pending at court.
