ACTING Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi said
MDC-Alliance principal Mr Tendai Biti’s rights have been upheld from his arrest
to the time of appearing in court and that observers still in the country were
free to attend court and witness the criminal justice system at work.
Mr Biti was arrested yesterday and brought to court to
answer to the charges of prematurely announcing election results and inciting
political violence.
In a statement, Mr Hodzi said Mr Biti was taken to court in
a comfortable top-of-the-range vehicle and was treated in a humane manner.
He added that his office was apolitical and that Mr Biti’s
case was being handled professionally without any form of bias.
“We want to categorically emphasise that the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is an apolitical institution and is not an agent of
persecution against any politician or citizen. Zimbabwe is a peaceful country
with law-abiding citizens and our duty as an agency that is involved in the
preservation of law and order is to ensure that peace prevails.
“As regards Mr Biti, he was arrested by the police and
brought to court for initial remand.
“We believe that he has been treated in a befitting and
humane manner while in the custody of the police. He was brought to court
safely and unharmed as should be the case. Due process was followed and his
rights were upheld,” said Mr Hodzi.
The prosecution boss said thousands of election observers
in the country were free to observe the court proceedings in the spirit of
transparency.
“There are close to 6 500 international observers and
almost 1 000 journalists present in our country and they are welcome to see
Zimbabwe’s criminal justice system at work.
“We believe that we have maintained a rigorous respect of
human rights during the entire election period. We certainly have nothing to
hide,” he said.
Mr Hodzi expressed concern at the behaviour of Mr Biti of
fleeing the country after being invited to the police.
He described the conduct of Mr Biti, a senior lawyer, as
political posturing.
“We are, however, of the view that Mr Biti’s conduct was
regrettable. He is a legal practitioner who knows the law and what due process
entails.
“If a citizen is asked to report to the police to assist
with investigations, he ought to do just that. Mr Biti chose to run away and
seek asylum in Zambia instead of reporting to the police to assist them in
their investigations.
“We believe that Mr Biti’s conduct is tantamount to
political grandstanding. Acts of political grandstanding will not be allowed to
usurp public peace and good order. If such conduct is contrary to the law, then
the National Prosecuting Authority will not hesitate to prosecute to the
fullest extent of the law. We will do so in an apolitical manner, without fear
or favour,” he said.
Mr Hodzi said Mr Biti’s colleagues in politics were safe in
Zimbabwe and that his fleeing to Zambia was unwarranted.
“We believe there was no need for him to flee to Zambia. He
was not in any danger. Other politicians are here and have come to no harm.
They are still enjoying the peace in our country like everybody else,” he said.
The State did not oppose bail in Mr Biti’s case.
Mr Hodzi said the new dispensation took away the old
tendencies of bringing suspects to court while bundled at the back of open
trucks.
He said the use of leg irons was now a thing of the past as
the State was committed to upholding the rights of accused persons as enshrined
in the Constitution. Herald
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