Sikhala fined US$500 for communicating falsehoods
Job Sikhala Fined US$500 for Communicating Falsehoods
Opposition politician Job Sikhala has been fined US$500 by Harare regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka for communicating falsehoods.
According to ZimLive, Magistrate Chakanyuka also imposed a nine-month wholly suspended sentence, contingent on Sikhala avoiding a similar offence in the next five years.
The Falsehood Fallout: Job Sikhala’s Conviction and Sentencing
Job Sikhala faced charges stemming from a 2021 tweet in which he alleged that a junior police officer had killed a baby with a baton in Harare.
His arrest and subsequent trial led to the conviction on Wednesday last week, with Magistrate Chakanyuka delivering the ruling this Thursday, 15 February.
Legal Challenge Ahead: Sikhala’s Lawyer Disputes the Verdict
Job Sikhala’s lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, expressed disagreement with the judgment and announced their intention to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. Nkomo argued;
“We disagree with judgment. It has no foundation at law. It’s not sound. This law no longer exists. It’s wrong for a court to convict with a law that no longer exists. That law is dead. How does it resuscitate?”
A Pattern Emerges: Comparisons to Fadzayi Mahere’s Similar Conviction
Job Sikhala’s sentencing follows a similar case involving Former Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere, who was convicted in April 2023 for publishing falsehoods. She allegedly posted the same video on X (formerly Twitter) and was also fined US$500.
Ongoing Legal Battles: Sikhala to Face Judgment in Another Case
Meanwhile, Job Sikhala is expected to appear in court tomorrow for judgment in another case where he is accused of disorderly conduct in a public place, contravening Section 41(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23. The opposition politician maintains his stance against the charges, and his legal team continues to vigorously contest the allegations.
Opposition politician Job Sikhala has been fined US$500 by Harare regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka for communicating falsehoods.
According to ZimLive, Magistrate Chakanyuka also imposed a nine-month wholly suspended sentence, contingent on Sikhala avoiding a similar offence in the next five years.
The Falsehood Fallout: Job Sikhala’s Conviction and Sentencing
Job Sikhala faced charges stemming from a 2021 tweet in which he alleged that a junior police officer had killed a baby with a baton in Harare.
His arrest and subsequent trial led to the conviction on Wednesday last week, with Magistrate Chakanyuka delivering the ruling this Thursday, 15 February.
Legal Challenge Ahead: Sikhala’s Lawyer Disputes the Verdict
Job Sikhala’s lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, expressed disagreement with the judgment and announced their intention to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. Nkomo argued;
“We disagree with judgment. It has no foundation at law. It’s not sound. This law no longer exists. It’s wrong for a court to convict with a law that no longer exists. That law is dead. How does it resuscitate?”
A Pattern Emerges: Comparisons to Fadzayi Mahere’s Similar Conviction
Job Sikhala’s sentencing follows a similar case involving Former Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere, who was convicted in April 2023 for publishing falsehoods. She allegedly posted the same video on X (formerly Twitter) and was also fined US$500.
Ongoing Legal Battles: Sikhala to Face Judgment in Another Case
Meanwhile, Job Sikhala is expected to appear in court tomorrow for judgment in another case where he is accused of disorderly conduct in a public place, contravening Section 41(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23. The opposition politician maintains his stance against the charges, and his legal team continues to vigorously contest the allegations.
