Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-30 19:21:22
Zimbabwean opposition figure Job Sikhala has been granted a 2-year suspended sentence for inciting public violence and is set to be released from prison after spending nearly 600 days in pre-trial detention. The court ruling on Tuesday (Jan. 30) will see the activist walk free, despite being convicted of inciting public violence on Jan. 24 in Harare.
Sikhala, a former MP, was detained in June 2022 following the killing of an opposition activist named Moreblessing Ali. He was accused of encouraging his supporters to violently react to Ali’s murder. Despite denying the charge, Sikhala has been held in the Chikurubi maximum prison in Harare, which is known for housing Zimbabwe’s most dangerous criminals.
The 51-year-old opposition figure’s lawyer has stated that they plan to appeal against the conviction. Additionally, Sikhala’s co-accused, former opposition parliament member Godfrey Sithole, has also been handed the same suspended sentence.
The decision to release Sikhala comes after a lengthy period of detention and legal battles. This outcome shows a potential shift in the treatment of opposition figures in Zimbabwe and may signify a move towards more leniency in such cases.
This news has been met with hope and optimism by Sikhala’s supporters and the broader opposition movement in Zimbabwe. In the face of ongoing political challenges in the country, the release of Sikhala could potentially serve as a catalyst for further changes in the treatment of political activists and opposition leaders.
This story has been covered by additional sources, highlighting the significance of Sikhala’s impending release and the broader implications it may have for the political landscape in Zimbabwe. The decision to grant him a suspended sentence reflects a significant development in the ongoing legal and political struggles within the country.
