The High Court Friday has dismissed a bail application by Citizens Coalition for Change legislators - Job Sikhala of Zengeza West and Godfrey Sithole of Chitungizwa North - saying circumstances have not changed since their initial bail hearing in July.
The two were arrested in June on charges of inciting violence.
Justice Rogers Manyangadze said there were no changed circumstances which would lead to the granting of bail of the two lawmakers, who have been in remand prison for more than four months.
Justice Manyangadze noted that the court did not look at reasons the two were denied bail but a change in circumstances from the time their bail applications were turned down.
The lawmakers’ attorney, Jeremiaha Bamu, said the High Court judge’s ruling was surprising.
Bamu said he will get more instructions from his client for the next course of action in this case.
Some lawyers, including Panganayi Charumbira, say this is an indication that the judiciary has been captured by the state.
“There is no doubt that the courts have been captured. This case needs some political intervention,” said Charumbira.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, which is charging the two of inciting violence and attempting to defeat the course of justice, has denied that it is influencing judges to keep the two in remand prison.
Sikhala and Sithole’s case is expected to go on trial within the next few days.