|
By Sebastian Nyamhangambiri HARARE – The High Court
on Wednesday postponed indefinitely the hearing into an application for bail for
13 members of the opposition who are accused of masterminding the petrol
bombing of state institutions last month. Alec Muchadehama, who is
representing the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party officials, told ZimOnline
on Wednesday that the state had indicated that it was not yet ready for the
bail application. ”All was set for the
hearing until the state indicated at the last minute – this morning – that it
wanted the case further deferred. “We are not yet sure when
the case will come back to court – but I am hopeful that it will be tomorrow (Thursday)
or before the end of the week,” said Muchadehama. Among those detained are
former First Mutual Life Assurance boss, Ian Makone, a special adviser to MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai, journalist Luke Tamborinyoka, who now
works for the MDC as well as Glen View legislator Paul Madzore. Attorney-General Sobuza
Gula-Ndebele confirmed that the case had been postponed. ”I do not think it is
fair to make a meal out of the matter. It is some logistical issues that we
want straightened out first and we will inform the defence team (MDC lawyers) when
we are ready to go to court,” said Gula-Ndebele. The MDC officials have
been languishing in remand prison for close to two months. Several attempts to
secure bail for the MDC officials have hit the brick wall with state
prosecutors arguing that the opposition officials should not be granted bail
because they were facing serious charges. The state says the MDC
officials were behind the spate of bombings at police stations and other state institutions
in retaliation for the brutal torture of Tsvangirai and several other
opposition officials earlier last month. The MDC denies the charge
arguing that President Robert Mugabe’s government is using the petrol bomb attacks
as a ruse to crack down on the resurgent party that has presented the biggest
challenge to Mugabe’s hold on power. - ZimOnline |