Abducted MDC Alliance Officials Denied Bail
MDC Alliance youth assembly officials – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – were on Monday denied bail by Harare regional magistrate Bianca Makwande. They were remanded to June 26.
The three are accused of stage-managing their abduction from the time they staged a demonstration in Warren Park on May 13th to May 15th when they were found by their lawyers and police at Muchapondwa Business Centre in Bindura.
The three notified the state of their intention to challenge their placement on remand on the next court date.
In denying the bail application, the state argued that there was overwhelming evidence that the trio could abscond trial. She said:
The state argued that the three committed a very serious offence and are likely to flee if granted bail. The police also said they are yet to establish the accused’s real addresses since they gave different addresses, adding further that investigations were to be completed in 14 days.
“The accused vehemently denied the allegations and feel they are good candidates for bail, and that the investigating officer’s evidence was too comical for a court to accept that. They asserted that the charges are nonsensical.
“The court is of the view that the state’s opposition of bail in respect of propensity to commit a similar offence is acceptable. It is highly likely that if convicted, they will be given a stiff custodial sentence which may induce them to skip bail.”
Meanwhile, MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has lamented the continued incarceration of the trio. She said:
My heart breaks for these women. Bail denied. They are in jail for reporting their torture to the police. Where is police protection? Where is the safety? Where is the conscience of this nation?
More: ZimLive
