Sikhala Recounts How He Was Put In Leg Irons, Blind-folded, Denied Food & Medication En-route To Masvingo
MDC vice-chairperson Job Sikhala on Thursday narrated how police took him from Harare to Masvingo on Wednesday without the knowledge of his lawyers.
Sikhala was taken from Harare Central Police Station to Masvingo blindfolded and in leg irons and was denied food.
Speaking before Bikita magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa where he was charged with contravening section 22 (2) (a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Sikhala said:
I was smuggled from Harare to Bikita. I was denied access to my lawyers and family when I was arrested on Tuesday at 8 am. As such, I did not eat anything and my first meal was today (this) morning.
I raised health issues with the police that I am hypertensive and asthmatic, but the police could not have any of that. I could not take my medication.
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When I was supposed to go to court in Harare on Wednesday morning, which I consented to, the investigating officer disappeared, only to return at around 1 pm, handcuffed me and never told me where I was going.
We went to the car park at Harare Central Police Station where three cars – two twin cabs and a minibus were waiting for me with 12 men armed with guns.
I was bundled inside, put in leg irons and sandwiched by two armed men. They blindfolded me with a hood and sped off with me.
After driving for about two-and-half hours, according to my estimation, I could not breathe, and I told them and they only left space for my nose outside to breath. They denied me the chance to relieve myself.
I could not take it anymore and my head was boiling and I complained, that is when they removed the blindfold. It took me about 10 minutes to realise where we were and I saw a Zororo Lodge sign, then I knew we were near Gutu Growth Point.
Sikhala was denied bail and remanded in custody to July the 24th. He has since applied for bail at the Masvingo High Court.
