Former Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Mayor David Coltart has voiced his concerns regarding the denial of bail to Job Sikhala. He emphasised the importance of consistency in upholding the rule of law and justice.
In a tweet shared by Coltart, he expressed his belief that courts should generally grant bail unless the accused poses a physical threat to others or is likely to abscond, newsreportzim.com has learned.
“I expressed my deep concern about @JobSikhala1 being denied bail for relatively minor charges and it is important that all those committed to the rule of law and justice be consistent,” reads Coltart’s tweet.
He further questioned the denial of bail in cases where no fatalities or imminent physical threats were involved, citing the recent denial of bail to Neville Mutsvangwa, son of ZANU PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa. Mutsvangwa faces charges of money laundering and engaging in foreign currency trading.
“I expressed my deep concern about @JobSikhala1 being denied bail for relatively minor charges and it is important that all those committed to the rule of law and justice be consistent.”
“No one has d!ed, no one is under any physical threat and it is highly unlikely that this man will become a fugitive from justice, so I cannot understand why bail has been denied to both Mutsvangwa and the other alleged money changers facing similar charges.”
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“The default of our Courts should be to grant bail unless an accused poses a physical threat to others or is likely to flee. The denial of bail where circumstances do not exist is fundamentally unjust and must be condemned.”
“The denial of bail should never be used to punish a person who has yet to be convicted of any offence.”
He also emphasised that the denial of bail should not be used as a form of punishment for individuals who have not yet been convicted of any offense.
These remarks from Coltart follow a pattern of concern regarding the administration of justice, particularly in cases involving prolonged detention without bail.
Coltart referenced Job Sikhala, a former Zengeza West legislator, who was detained for nearly two years at Chikurubi Maximum Prison and denied bail on more than fifteen occasions for charges including incitement of public violence and dissemination of false information.
