High Court Postpones Timba, CCC Activists' Bail Hearing
The High Court postponed the bail hearing for over 70 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists to 16 July, awaiting the transcript of proceedings from the magistrates court.
According to NewsDay, the State cited delays in the release of the transcript, explaining that the chief transcriber was currently occupied with typing the document.
Jameson Timba, the CCC chief administrator, along with 78 others, including his son Shaun, were arrested at his residence in Avondale, Harare, last month.
They are charged with participating in a gathering with the intent to promote violence, breaches of peace or bigotry, as well as disorderly conduct.
The lawyers for the activists told the media that the gathering was a barbecue at the home of Timba, to commemorate June 16, the Day of the African Child.
Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo denied them bail, citing concerns that they posed a security threat and were unsuitable candidates for release.
Prosecutors allege that police received information that the accused were organising an unlawful gathering to participate in an illegal demonstration in Harare.
Reportedly, clashes ensued during the arrests as the accused resisted and fought back, resulting in injuries to two individuals.
One of the detainees lost a child while in custody and was not permitted to attend the funeral.
Tambudzai Makororo, another activist, reportedly sustained a broken leg as a result of the assault by the police and has undergone surgery to repair a fracture in her left leg.
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