High Court judge Justice Lucy Mungwari has granted bail to Moreblessing Nkomo, Jenifer Chimange, and Sthabile Maduve, three of the 98 individuals arrested on March 31 for allegedly staging an unsanctioned protest demanding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation.
In a surprise move, Justice Mungwari ruled that the appellants’ continued detention was unjustified, setting aside the magistrate’s ruling that denied them bail. The judge ordered each appellant to pay $100 bail to the Clerk of Court and remain at their current addresses.
The trio must adhere to the bail conditions, which include paying the $100 bail and staying at their current addresses. A small price to pay for freedom, right?
The trio’s lawyer, Douglas Coltart from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, represented them in the bail application. It’s unclear how the prosecution feels about the bail grant.
Ninety-five other protesters, arrested alongside Nkomo, Chimange, and Maduve, remain in custody after being denied bail due to concerns about public disorder. Their fate hangs in the balance, leaving many wondering if they’ll face similar treatment.
All 98 individuals face charges of public violence, stemming from their alleged involvement in an unsanctioned protest at the Copacabana bus terminus in central Harare. The protest reportedly demanded President Mnangagwa’s resignation.
The bail grant for Nkomo, Chimange, and Maduve offers a glimmer of hope for the remaining 95 protesters. Will they too be granted bail soon? Only time will tell, but let’s not hold our breath. The case will likely continue to unfold, with the protesters’ fate hanging precariously in the balance.
The contrast in treatment between the three granted bail and the 95 remaining in custody raises questions about the justice system’s consistency and fairness. Will justice be served equally for all, or will some be left behind?
