(Last Updated on December 16, 2020 by ZIMDAILY EDITOR)
HARARE – The High Court has ordered the release of Hopewell Chin’ono’s passport so that he can travel outside the country for medical treatment.
He had surrendered his passport as part of his bail conditions.
In a case opposed by the State, the judge said the traveling document will be released for 21 days but restricted his travel to Gauteng Province in South Africa.
This is despite the claims by the veteran journalist that he had already secured an appointment in London.
Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa had initially denied Chin’ono’s request to have his passport temporarily released.
In November, Chin’ono through his lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa argued that it was every citizen’s right to access healthcare, while pointing out the state of the country’s health system.
“My learned friend is saying if Hopewell Chin’ono has a medical condition, he should die from it,” argued Mtetwa.
She added “Bail conditions are not there as a punishment or there to deny one of their basic rights.”