THREE MDC-Alliance members — Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Marava
and Netsai Chimbira — who are at the centre of an alleged abduction case, were
yesterday ordered to surrender passports as part of their bail conditions after
the State alleged that they are mobilising resources to escape from the
jurisdiction of the court.
Prosecutor Netsai Mushayabasa applied for the three to
surrender their passports after having been initially freed on $1 000 bail
each, coupled with other conditions.
She told the court that the trio had been released from a
private hospital in Waterfalls, Harare, where they were receiving treatment
after the alleged abduction.
Mamombe, Marava and Chimbira are being charged with
participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence and breach
of peace or bigotry.
In cementing her claims, Mushayabasa called the
investigating officer in the matter, Mr Hardwork Mazite, to testify in court.
Although he could not reveal who was working with Mamombe,
Marava and Chimbira in mobilising resources for their escape, he said he
received the wind on June 2, this year.
“On June 2, I received information that accused persons’
intent to abscond from the jurisdiction of the court and resources were being
mobilised for them to escape.
“They intend to travel outside the country to evade trial.
They have since been discharged from hospital,” he said.
The trio’s lawyer Mr Jeremiah Bamu refuted the claims,
saying the police should have charged Mamombe, Marava and Chimbira for such
acts.
“One of police mandate is to prevent crime from being
committed. They should make arrests and not wait for time. I have instruction
that should they be wanted for any other offences they are ready to avail
themselves to the police, even today.
“It is not necessary to add this condition (surrendering
their passports) since we are in a period of lockdown where one is not able to
travel,” he said.
Mr Bamu argued that there is no country at the moment,
which is allowing non-citizens beyond its borders.
He said there were other effective ways of making sure that
the trio attends court.
“There are other ways of making sure that they attend court
which are more effective than surrendering passports.
“They can be ordered that they travel less than 40km out of
Harare and report more times to police.
“These are very effective ways. Accused are assisting
police with investigations in respect of kidnapping. This morning (yesterday)
they were asked for identification parade and further indications. Given level
of cooperation, it can hardly be said they want to evade trial,” he said.
Magistrate Guriro in her ruling, ordered the trio to
surrender their passports before end of business today. She said Mamombe,
Marava and Chimbira failed to prove to the court that they were not mobilising
resources to escape.
Mamombe, Marava and Chimbira are expected to be back in
court on August 13, 2020 for their routine remand. Herald
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