I Am Not Safe, Sikhala

Harare Correspondent

Rotten Row – upon arriving at the court for bail ruling, Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC A) deputy chairperson and Zengeza West Constituency Member of Parliament, Job Sikhala said he was not safe.

Sikhala who was arrested last week after going into hiding for more than three weeks was today remanded in custody on charges of inciting public violence on July 31 2020 demonstration which was organised by Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume.

Sikhala’s Lawyers earlier told the court that a prison Officer-In-Charge, George Matimbanyoka threated him with death and ill-treating his client at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison to the extent of spending a day in isolation with both hand-cuffs and leg-irons on him.

As usual journalists were waiting for his arrival at the court and the T35 prison truck arrived, Sikhala was asked if he was ok and safe.

“It’s tough and I am not safe” Sikhala responded.

The legislator’s application to be removed on remand was however suspended and the matter will proceed today at 9AM; Magistrate Lazini Ncube said his utterances intention was to incite violence.

“The words allegedly uttered by Sikhala show a combative person who is prepared to go to war to achieve his objective” Ncube said.

This is despite the fact that more than 10 inmates tested Covid-19 positive at the prison were social distancing should be the order of the day.

As the matter progresses Sikhala’s bail application will be heard today before Magistrate Ncube, The state is, according to his lawyer Harrison Nkomo, opposing the bail.