High Court Acquits Ex-MP Job Sikhala in High-Profile Case

Former Opposition MP Cleared of Obstructing Justice, Remains in Custody on Other Charges
November 28, 2023
Job Sikhala
Job Sikhala

In a landmark judgment, the High Court has exonerated former opposition Member of Parliament, Job Sikhala, in a controversial case of obstructing the course of justice. Sikhala, who had been accused of misleading the police in the investigation of Moreblessing Ali’s death, was found not guilty by Justices Pisirayi Kwenda and Benjamin Chikowero.

The case, which has garnered significant attention, stemmed from a video posted by Sikhala. The State had alleged that the video was an attempt to mislead authorities investigating the death of Ali, whose body was discovered in a dismembered state. The video purportedly suggested that a Zanu PF activist was responsible for the murder.

In their decision, Justices Kwenda and Chikowero overturned the conviction handed down by Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa in May. They ruled that Gofa’s judgment contained errors, leading to their decision to acquit Sikhala.

Despite the acquittal, Sikhala’s legal battles are far from over. He remains in detention, facing additional charges of incitement to commit violence and disorderly conduct. These charges keep the former MP under the scrutiny of the law, even as he clears his name in one of the cases.

The ruling has sparked various reactions, highlighting the complexities of legal and political dynamics in the region. As Sikhala faces his ongoing trials, the implications of this decision are being closely watched by legal experts and political observers alike.