Sikhala acquitted, but to remain in detention

Former opposition MP Job Sikhala has been acquitted by the High Court in a case where he was accused of obstructing the course of justice. The allegations stemmed from his purported announcement that a Zanu PF activist was responsible for the murder of Moreblessing Ali.

The State claimed that Sikhala posted a video with the intention of misleading the police who were investigating Ali's dismembered body. Justices Pisirayi Kwenda and Benjamin Chikowero, sitting as an appeal court, ruled that magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa had made an error in convicting Sikhala in May of the current year.

The appeal court justices nullified the lower court's conviction and directed that the politician be declared "not guilty and acquitted." Despite the acquittal, Sikhala will remain in detention as he faces additional charges of incitement to commit violence and disorderly conduct in a separate trial.