By Albert Mpofu
As Ngarivhume Is Denied Bail And Gamuchirai’s Bail Application Continues Tomorrow
Zengeza West Member of Parliament, Honourable Job Sikhala, commemorated his one year in prison by appearing in court alongside Chitungwiza North Member of Parliament, Honourable Godfrey Sithole, who is currently out on bail. The two MPs, affiliated with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, are facing charges of inciting public violence. These charges stem from the violent events that took place in Nyatsime during a memorial prayer service for CCC activist Moreblessing Ali, who was abducted and brutally murdered by Pius Mukundi Jamba, a thug allegedly associated with the ruling party, ZANU PF.
The trial of Honourable Sikhala and Honourable Sithole will continue at 9:30 am at the Rotten Row Magistrates Court in Harare. Members of the public are urged to attend the court proceedings in a show of solidarity.
In a separate case, opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, will remain incarcerated as High Court Judge, Justice Chikowero, dismissed an application for his release on bail pending the determination of his appeal against conviction and sentence for allegedly inciting public violence. Ngarivhume had received a four-year prison sentence, with 12 months suspended on the condition of good behavior. Justice Chikowero reasoned that granting bail to Ngarivhume would endanger the interests of justice, as the fear of being imprisoned again might lead to his abscondment. The judge emphasized that for the sake of administering justice, Ngarivhume should continue his prosecution. He is currently represented by Donsa Nkoma of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Professor Lovemore Madhuku. However, there is still the possibility of Ngarivhume applying for bail at the Supreme Court, if it deems his case meets the necessary threshold.
In the meantime, the case of ZINASU Organising Secretary, Gamuchirai Chaburumunda, has once again been postponed, with the bail judgment now scheduled for Thursday at 2:15 pm. Gamuchirai was apprehended last week after completing her exam at the University of Zimbabwe campuses. She was arrested in connection with the Black Monday protest that occurred on May 15th in Harare, where demonstrators demanded the release of Honourable Job Sikhala, Jacob Ngarivhume, and all political prisoners. Five other students—Darlington Chigwena, Benjamin Watadza, Emmanuel Chitima, Comfort Mpofu, and Lionel Madamombe—who were also arrested in connection with the protest, are still awaiting their bail hearing, three weeks after their arrest.
