Sikhala spends another weekend in the cage

Opposition MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala's bail appeal hearing was pushed forward to Friday after prosecutors argued they had only received his record moments before proceedings, and were, therefore, not prepared.

The appeal will now be heard on January 26 before High Court judge, Justice David Foroma.

Sikhala was arrested on January 9 and charged with publishing falsehoods prejudicial to the State over a social media post alleging that a police officer had fatally assaulted a baby with a baton.

His party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere and journalist Hopewell Chin'ono face similar charges.

Mehere was, however, freed on $10,000 by Harare magistrate Trunks Utahwashe who ruled the State's case was weak.

Chin'ono remains in remand prison after the High Court reserved judgment on his bail appeal.

During his bail proceedings at the magistrate court, Sikhala's lawyers submitted that he was a good candidate for bond because he had been arrested 65 times but had never absconded.

But the disclosure backfired with magistrate Ngoni Nduna denying him bail saying he was a boastful repeat offender who would likely commit more crimes if released.