HARARE — Job Sikhala exploded in court after Magistrate Taurai Manuwere dismissed his application for the court to set timelines for the prosecution to furnish his defence team with State papers to prepare for his trial set for November 16.
Sikhala described Manuwere as biased, threatening to apply for his recusal from his case.
He accused Manuwere of reviewing a ruling by another magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka, who had ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with papers by close of business on 18 August
But today, Manuwere refused to set timelines, saying his ruling was guided by Chakanyuka’s order which he said was open-ended, prompting the Zengeza MP outburst.
Sikhala’s lawyers said Chakanyuka’s order had a timeline of 18 August and therefore Manuwere’s ruling based on her ruling was faulty.
On 9 September, Manuwere dismissed an application by Mtetwa who wanted deputy PG Michael Reza and his junior, Lancelot Mutsokoti arrested for contempt of court for disobeying Chakanyuka’s order.
Manuwere was forced to adjourn the court after Sikhaka’s outburst,
