HARARE – In a significant legal development, former Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, the MP for Chitungwiza North, were found guilty of incitement to commit public violence by a Harare court on Wednesday.
The charges stem from their alleged involvement in violence that erupted in Nyatsime on May 24, 2022, following the abduction and subsequent murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 29 to determine the consequences for Sikhala and Sithole.
The court proceedings unfolded in a packed courtroom, with Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti declaring that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully established its case against the accused MPs.
The prosecution’s central argument asserted that Sikhala and Sithole conspired to transport CCC supporters to Nyatsime for a memorial service, which resulted in violence after alleged disruptions by Zanu PF supporters.
Sikhala, a lawyer, was engaged by Ali’s family to represent them and was recorded on video declaring Nyatsime a “terror zone” during the memorial service.
Magistrate Miti highlighted key elements of the case, stating, “Through the words uttered, the accused clearly incited CCC supporters. Indeed, public violence erupted in Nyatsime … It is, therefore, clear that Sikhala’s utterances indeed incited the public to commit violence.”
Godfrey Sithole an alibi in Sikhala case?
The court also considered charges related to the accused providing transport for individuals involved in the violence.
Miti noted, “The witness managed to link Sithole to the commission of the crime in that he indeed mobilized transport. To incite is to influence the mind of another to commit public violence; this can also be by gesture.”
Despite the conviction, the defense argued that the video evidence presented during the trial was edited, emphasizing that there was no evidence of tempering or manipulation presented before the court.
Sikhala and Sithole vehemently denied the charges throughout the trial.
The sentencing hearing on January 29 will determine the consequences for the convicted MPs.
This development comes on the heels of a separate case against Sikhala, where judgment on charges of communicating falsehoods has been postponed to February 7 due to the National Prosecuting Authority’s failure to meet submission deadlines.
