Judge Slams NPA Before Granting Jimu Kunaka Bail

High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi yesterday blasted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for its lackadaisical stance when it opposed the release of former Zanu PF Youth leader Jimu Kunaka on bail after acknowledging misdirections made by the Magistrates Court.

Kunaka was freed on Z$15 000 bail with conditions to reside at his Waterfalls home, not to interfere with State witnesses or investigations and to report every Friday at Waterfalls police station.

In his judgment, Chitapi slammed NPA’s Richard Chikosha, whom he said fearfully continued opposing Kunaka’s release despite accepting the misdirections.

“In the light of the misdirections committed by the magistrate, Mr Chikosha unbelievably submitted that whilst he accepted them, the position of the National Prosecuting Authority was not to concede anything.

“Such an attitude is not expected of the prosecutor general. Unfortunately, one could easily read fear in Mr. Chikosha’s eyes as he stammered to advance his point yet he refused to make a concession albeit he had no ammunition to support the opposition to the appeal.”

“I should note that there was no suggestion in the court’s judgement or in arguments that the appellant was a flight risk. The cornerstone of bail is to ensure the smooth administration of justice by ensuring the attendance of the accused at his trial,” Justice Chitapi said.

Kunaka was incarcerated last year on 26 December for allegedly inciting public violence on the 31st of July 2020. Nhau/Indaba