(Last Updated on November 23, 2020 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – Deputy Chief Magistrate, Bianca Makwande has ruled that Joana Mamombe stands trial separately – on allegations of faking her own abduction, while Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri will jointly answer to the same charges.
The order by Makwande follows an application made by the State for the separation after doctors declared that Mamombe was not fit to stand trial as she was suffering from “anxiety disorders.”
The three MDC-Alliance activists are accused of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State, after they alleged that they had been abducted and tortured by suspected state security agents in May.
Makwande cited that doctors had given different time lines on when Mamombe will be fit for trial which made it hard for the courts to determine when she will be ready for trial.
In giving her ruling, Magistrate Makwande said “In my view, the separation of trial will not prejudice the accused.”
“Reports from the doctors are conflicting and at the end of the day, it is unclear whether she will be able to stand trial before 6 months,” she added.
The trial for the other two is set to resume in December.