By Lorraine Ndebele

The Job Sikhala Solidarity Movement has rallied pro-democracy campaigners to besiege the Harare Magistrates Court where Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa will make a ruling in a case in which the former Zengeza West legislator is accused of inciting public violence.

The former Zengeza West Member of Parliament has been in pre-trial detention for more than 19 months following his arrest on 14 June 2022 on charges of inciting public violence during the funeral wake of slain Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) activist, Moreblessing Ali.

“The Job Sikhala Solidarity Movement urges all pro-democracy campaigners to attend Court on 24 January 2024, beginning at 1115hrs in Court 18, Harare Rotten Row Courts,” said Darlington Chigwena, who is the movement’s Youth Movement Coordinator.

He dispelled rumors that Sikhala is planning to form a new political party saying they are only interest in forcing those in power to govern fairly.

The movement has no appetite to form yet another political party as alleged by doomsayers. The movement is a left vanguard of the people with no interest to assume State Power but to force those in power to govern fairly in the best interest of the working people,” added Chigwena.

Sikhala and his co-accused Godfrey Sithole will know their fate on Wednesday afternoon as the Harare Magistrates Court is expected to make a ruling following the conclusion of trial.

The former Zengeza West lawmaker’s incarceration has attracted widespread condemnation from local and international human rights bodies who accused the state of punishing the combative politician for being a member of the opposition.