Story by Fungai Jachi, Courts Reporter
OPPOSITION politician Job Sikhala who was convicted of publishing falsehoods, has been spared jail time after being fined US$500.
Sikhala has once again been spared a custodial sentence after Harare Regional Magistrate Mrs Feresi Chakanyuka noted that the court’s mission is correctional hence a custodial sentence does not fit in the circumstances of the offence.
He was therefore fined US$500 but risks a two-month jail term if he fails to pay the fine.
Sikhala was also handed a wholly suspended nine-month jail term on condition he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
He was convicted for publishing falsehoods after a social media post in which he claimed a police officer had killed a minor while enforcing road regulations in 2021.
Last month, Sikhala escaped another jail term after he was given a two-year wholly suspended jail term for inciting public violence in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza.
