BREAKING: Job Sikhala freed

**Former Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala**

Michael Mashiri

Former Zengeza West member of the National Assembly Job Sikhala and his fellow former legislator, Godfrey Sithole have been handed two-year wholly-suspended sentence on condition they do not commit the same offence.

Sikhala, together with Sithole, were convicted by magistrate Tafadzwa Miti at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts of inciting public violence last week for the violence that took place in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza, in 2022 following the murder of Citizens Coalition for Change activist, Moreblessing Ali.

The State alleged that, Sikhala posted a video, motivating party supporters to requite Ali’s death and hired lorries to carry people from Epworth and other surrounding areas in Chitungwiza to Nyatsime.

It also alleged that 20 families were left homeless following the violence, while 13 shops, six tuck-shops and vehicles were damaged after CCC supporters ran berserk, randomly attacking residents of Nyatsime.

In passing the judgement, Miti said it was unchallenged that it was Sikhala who said the words that triggered violence in Nyatsime two days later after it was posted.

She also added that there was no evidence of tempering or manipulation was put before the court.

Miti also highlighted that Sithole was the one who provided transport to the people that caused violence in Nyatsime.

The court was convinced that the two indeed committed the crime of incitement to commit violence.