Judge throws out Zimbabwe coup plotters bail application
By: THABANI NYONI
Published: Sunday March 14, 2010
ZIMBABWE – HARARE – The seven men, who allegedly plotted a coup to topple President Mugabe and replacing him with Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2006, yesterday lost another bid for bail at the High Court.
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Judge President Rita Makarau last week threw out the bail application by the suspect—who have been in custody since May 2007—after failing to find any changed circumstances warranting their release.
Albert Matapo, Nyasha Zivuku, Oncemore Mudzurahona, Emmanuel Marara, Patson Mupfure, Shingirayi Mutemachani and Rangarirai Mazivofa—are being charged with treason.
“I am of the view that there has been no change of circumstances notwithstanding the loss of two witnesses by the State.
“It is on the basis of the foregoing that I dismissed the application for bail,” ruled the Judge President.
It was also the court’s finding that noone should be blamed for the delay in the setting down of the matter for trial considering that much of the time was spent while the parties were waiting for the outcome of a constitutional challenge at the Supreme Court.
Chief law officer Mr Tawanda Zvekare and law officer Mr Edmore Nyazamba appeared for the State in the bail application.
The suspects through their lawyer Mr Charles Warara of Warara and Associates have lost several bail applications both at the High Court and the magistrates’ court.
Meanwhile six of the suspects are appearing before a Harare magistrate on fresh charges of attempting to escape from Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
Matapo being an ex-member of the Zimbabwe National Army is accused of conniving with the other six to overthrow the Government of Zimbabwe through unconstitutional means.
Their trial was set for July 7 2008, but failed to commence after the suspects raised a constitutional issue, which was then taken to the Supreme Court for determination.
Proceedings at the lower court were set-aside until December last year when the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.
