HARARE – Job Sikhala, a legislator for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Zimbabwe, has been fined US$600 after being convicted of defeating the course of justice.
Sikhala was also given another six months, which is wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The charges were made in relation to his publication of a video demanding justice over the murder of CCC activist, Moreblessing Ali, in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza.
The police alleged that Sikhala disturbed the investigation into Ali’s murder. Sikhala was the lawyer for Ali’s family.
Presiding magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, in assessing the sentence, took into account that Sikhala is a “family man with children whose interests should be prioritised”.
She said that Sikhala has already spent 11 months in custody which in itself amounts to mitigation on his part.
Gofa also considered that Sikhala had lost clientele and will have to start afresh in finding new ones when he is out of prison.
Job Sikhala ‘remains strong’
Before sentencing, Sikhala gave his personal circumstances in mitigation, insisting that he had never breached the law in the 50 years since birth.
In court, Sikhala said his spirit was not broken despite his conviction.
He said, “I have known comfort in the Chikurubi (Maximum Security) Prison walls as it is the price to pay for freedom,” adding that he was facing political persecution.
His lawyer, Jeremiah Bamu, implored the court to consider Sikhala’s long pre-trial incarceration in handing down sentence.
Bamu said, “The accused must not be punished to a point of being broken. If court is to give him a custodial sentence, this punishment will break him.”
Appearing for the state, Oscar Madhume, in aggravation, said the court should take into account the seriousness of the offence and the interests of society in assessing Sikhala’s sentence.
He said there should also be balance with the interests of the accused.
