Job Sikhala, a fiery member of the Citizens Coalition For Change (CCC) political party, has been found guilty of disrupting a police investigation into the murder of opposition activist Moreblessing Ali.
The sentencing for Sikhala is scheduled for 2:15 pm.
According to the State’s case, Sikhala had shared a video online in which he called for mourners at Ali’s funeral to seek revenge for her death.
Sikhala was convicted by a Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa after a full trial during which he denied the allegations.
Gofa who once labelled the CCC MP an ‘unrepentant criminal’ ruled that the State had managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“Evidence of record shows that action by accused caused police to take new lead of investigations leaving what they were pursuing.
“The police were satisfied Pius Jamba was a suspect but after the accused said Ali was killed by Zanu PF activists they diverted their investigations.
“The State has proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt. The accused has no defence at all and hereby found guilty and convicted of the offence.”
The Zengeza MP has been in pretrial detention since his arrest in June last year.
All his efforts to secure bail flopped with the High Court and lower courts ruling that he was likely to reoffend.
Sikhala also faces a charge of inciting public violence emanating from the same video.
He is also on trial in a case he is charged with inciting public violence after allegedly calling for a nationwide anti-government protest.
The State again accuses him of publishing falsehoods after he posted on social media that a police officer had struck a baby dead with a baton stick.
