Opposition lawmaker, Job Sikhala, was today denied bail by a Harare High Court judge after he approached it for a review of a lower court decision that turned down his request for bail in a case in which he is accused of allegedly inciting violence.
Justice Samuel Deme denied Sikhala bail application without giving reasons. Sikhala has been denied bail several times by the lower courts where one magistrate claimed that he was a habitual criminal.
SIkhala allegedly incited violence while he was addressing people in Nyatsime, few days after mutilated remains of Citizens Coalition for Change activist, Moreblessing Ali, were found dumped in a shallow well in Nyatsime.
The suspected killer, Pius Jamba Mukandi, has confessed in court of killing Ali, whose remains are still at Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary.
Mukandi is a Zanu PF member.
The Zimbabwean courts are also expected on Monday to make a ruling on Sikhala’s request to allow journalists to livestream his trial.
The state is strongly opposed to livestreaming the trial with fears that it may spark in nationwide protests over the handling of Sikhala’s case.
Some political parties are now calling for protests over the Sikhala’s arrest.
VOA Correspondent Frank Chikowore contributed to this article