The High Court on Monday quashed two criminal charges against former opposition lawmaker Job Sikhala, ruling his conviction wrong.
This latest development relieves the politician, leaving him with no criminal charges or convictions against him.
High Court judges Pisirayi Kwenda and Benjamin Chikowero ruled Sikhala did not offend, setting aside his conviction and sentence.
“Whereupon after reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel, it is ordered the appeal is allowed,” the judges stated.
Earlier this year, magistrates found Sikhala guilty on charges of inciting violence and publishing falsehoods.
The first charge landed him in prison, where he stayed for one and a half years in pretrial detention.
The State alleged he incited the public to avenge the death of slain opposition activist Moreblessing Ali.
In the other case, prosecutors alleged he soiled the police’s image by posting that a cop fatally assaulted a baby.
Sikhala received a non-custodial sentence for these alleged offenses, resulting in his release from jail.
He then filed this successful appeal through his lawyers, Harrison Nkomo and Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Nkomo said they would take instructions from Sikhala and consider suing the state.
“He has been cleared. He has no conviction and faces no charges. The 595 days in jail were wasted,” Nkomo said.
Sikhala said he was persecuted for an offense he did not commit and suffered abuse in prison.
“I feel I have been abused for almost two years in prison. This was political persecution,” Sikhala stated.
He claimed his arbitrary detention aimed to achieve political goals and expressed disappointment over his imprisonment.
“I hope my lawyers will consider the suffering I endured for 595 days when I committed no crime,” he concluded.
