Incomplete record stalls Sikhala’s bail appeal hearing

The bail hearing of MDC-A deputy chairperson Job Sikhala failed to kick-off at the Harare High Court due to an incomplete record of proceedings.
Sikhala is appealing for the court to grant him freedom on charges of peddling falsehoods.
The State led by Arthur Bosha sought postponement of the matter to tomorrow when the record will be complete.
Sikhala’s lead counsel Jeremiah Bamu consented to the postponement but raised concerns over why his client appeared before the court in leg irons.
Presiding over the case, Justice Tawanda Chitapi warned Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officers not repeat the practice before postponing the matter to tomorrow.
A ZPCS officer present at court said that they had sent for the keys but it was unfortunate that the hearing started before they had been brought back.
“We have sent for the keys my lord but the hearing started before the one with the keys returned.”
Allegations against Sikhala arose after he allegedly commented on a video that went viral on social media claiming that a police officer had killed a baby strapped on its mother’s back.
In his bail application, Sikhala told the court that he had no previous convictions despite being charged over 65 times without a single conviction.
He further stated that the Magistrates Court misdirected itself by failing to outline the basis upon which they denied him bail after stating that he was a flight risk if released. Nhau/Indaba