MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala was on Thursday denied bail by Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube. Magistrate Ncube remanded Sikhala in custody to 17 September for routine remand. Sikhala was arrested on 21 August from his hiding place in Tynwald North, and charged with inciting public violence. Ncube ruled that Sikhala could not be granted bail as it took the police a long time to arrest him. Ncube further stated that Sikhala failed to submit himself to the police despite knowing that he was wanted for an interview. Sikhala’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo told reporters outside the court that they did not agree with the ruling and that Sikhala had instructed them to file an appeal with the High Court. The Zengeza West legislator is being represented by Advocate Eric Mati
Linda Masarira, leader of the Labour Economists and Afrikan Democats (LEAD), opposition party, has slammed the country’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, for initiating the land compensation program to some white commercial farmers who were dispossessed of their farms more than a decade ago, during the land reform program under the stewardship of the late former President, Robert Mugabe. “The land question is the most important issue that caused our ancestors to engage in the first Chimurenga, the second Chimurenga was fought on the same issue of the land question. The government is trying to gain favor from the western world by reversing the land reform, they are betraying and spitting on those who sacrificed their lives to regain our land back. Our leadership failed to
INVESTIGATIVE journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on Wednesday night declared that his remand prison experience had emboldened his resolve to expose corruption saying he may have been gagged from twitter but will continue to write on Facebook. High Court judge justice Tawanda Chitapi on Wednesday set free Chin’ono after granting him Z$10,000 bail, ending 43 days of incarceration. Chin’ono who was released from remand prison on his fourth attempt at bail, was gagged from posting messages using his specific twitter handle. He was ordered to reside at given address and to report at a Zimbabwe Republic Police station two times a week until finalisation of his matter. “I remain strong,” Chin’ono, flanked by Jacob Ngarivhume, told journalists outside Chik
Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume and award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin'ono were granted bail on Wednesday at their fourth attempt after being detained in July for calling for protests. In separate rulings, the High Court granted their appeals against the ruling of a lower court that had denied them bail, saying its judges had erred. Ngarivhume was ordered to pay a bond of 50,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($602) and Chin'ono ZW$10,000 ($120), and both must surrender their passports and report to the police three times a week. They have also been barred from tweeting. Charged with inciting violence, the high-profile pair head the list of government critics and opposition activists who have been arrested in recent months for voicing concern about Zimbabwe's deepening cr
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has been granted bail after being held in jail for more than a month on charges of inciting violence. Chin’ono’s application for bail was approved by a magistrate who stipulated that while he awaits trial he must not post on social media such as Facebook or Twitter. The charges against Chin’ono stem from the support he expressed on Twitter for an anti-government protest. Chin’ono had previously been denied bail three times and his lawyers say prison authorities forced him to mingle with other prisoners despite showing symptoms “consistent” with COVID-19. He has become ill in prison this week, according to his lawyers who say he is suffering from “a headache, fever and distorted taste,” sy
GOVERNMENT has expressed utter dismay following unwarranted comments by US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Brian Nichols in which he continues to attack the country’s political and economic programmes in clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Mr Nichols claimed that Zimbabwe was in political turmoil in an interview with The Sunday Times of South Africa, in stark contradiction to the reality obtaining in the country. He also alleged that there was gross violation of human rights in Zimbabwe without substantiating his claims. Government said Mr Nichols’ actions were objectionable and stand in violation of diplomatic missions’ obligations under the Vienna Convention. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Tr
Incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was Tuesday brought to Rotten Row Magistrates Court without the consent of his doctor who had told the Zimbabwe Prisons Security (ZPS) his client was seriously ill and showing symptoms of Covid-19. Chin’ono appeared before Magistrate Judge Ngoni Nduna who remanded the matter to 14 September. Speaking to the press, Chin’ono’s lawyer Douglas Coltart said the state has been told to make sure that a trial date should be there by September 14 otherwise Chin’ono would apply against being put on remand for too long. “Hopewell had been brought to Court against the advice of his doctor who spoke with the prison authorities yesterday given his condition and symptoms he was showing that it was ill advisable for him to
BAIL hearing for jailed MDC Alliance vice chair, Job Sikhala continued Tuesday with the firebrand politician taking to the witness’s stand before a Harare magistrate to deny both being violent and fugitive from justice. Sikhala is facing charges of inciting the public to commit violence. Said the opposition legislator in court, “The struggle for social justice has never been fought on the plane of violence and the State should not invite me to a territory which I’m not part of.” Sikhala told court he was a good bail candidate insisting he was once granted bail on subversion charges and never defaulted. The lawmaker said he never defaulted bail in any of the past 64 cases that have been brought against him by the state. Contrary to police allegations tha
THE battle to replace recalled Harare mayor Herbert Gomba has emerged between fierce rivals Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa. Gomba was recalled from council early this month by the Khupe-led MDC-T, which claimed he was no longer a member of the party. The embattled former mayor elected on MDC Alliance ticket 2018 also lost his post as a councillor for Ward 27 in Glen Norah. He is also facing corruption charges and was recently arrested and is currently out on bail after spending days in remand prison. However, according to sources in both MDC Alliance and MDC-T, there is a fierce fight pitting the parties as both selected their candidates to contest for the post. The MDC-T preferred candidate Luckson Mukunguma, and the MDC Alliance’s The MDC-T preferred cand
Three MDC Alliance (MDC-A) councillors have dumped the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance and joined the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe. The development was confirmed by MDC-T secretary for women’s assembly in Mbizo district, Rita Munyorovi-Svova. Munyorovi-Svova revealed that the councillors are from Ward 2, 11 and 12. She said: They all belong to MDC-T. In fact, they must not make the mistake of following an individual (Nelson Chamisa) but should follow the party (MDC-T). People should read and understand the constitution of the MDC-T. Meanwhile, MDC-A Midlands secretary for information Takavafira Zhou said it is the democratic right of the three councillors to decide on whomever they want to associate with. Said Zhou: In politics, there is freedom of association and disasso
