MDC Alliance Vice Chairman and Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala finally tested freedom after High Court Judge Justice Ndewere granted him ZWL$50,000 bail on Tuesday.
The vocal politician was barred from social media.
Sikhala was arrested on August 21 on allegations for inciting public violence in line with July 31 protest and spent almost 5 weeks in custody.
Ndewere ruled that the state failed to provide enough evidence to incriminate the bulky politician.
“No evidence was placed before the court to show that the appellant was being looked for by the police. Officer Mukova worsened their case by saying Detective Inspector Makore went looking for the appellant yet Makore himself denied that he did so.”
“The prosecution had also failed to prove that Sikhala was found hiding from the police, the judge said, while dismissing a press statement issued at the end of July stating that he was wanted “for an interview” along with 14 other pro-democracy activists as “vague”, “she said.
As part of his bail conditions, Sikhakla has been barred from using social media pending investigations.
“The appellant shall not post videos on social media which will likely incite others to participate in public violence, he shall not address any gathering using voice or gestures to incite public violence.”
In addition, Sikhala was ordered to surrender his passport, reside at his home in Chitungwiza, report three times a week at St Marys police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Briefing the media on his way out of the High Court the MP said, “When all has been done, this persecution should not have taken place from the beginning.”
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