Nyatsime 14 Released As Sikhala Trial Fails To Start

Harare’s High Court has finally granted 14 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists their freedom after being incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for the past five months.

Party spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere confirmed the development through her official twitter handle.

“We breathe a sigh of relief but we don’t celebrate. They should never have been jailed without trial in the first place. Bail is a constitutional right. #FreeWiwa #FreeBiri,” she said.

They were detained at the institution after being charged for allegedly inciting public violence in Chitungwiza’s Nyatsime area following the discovery of the dismembered body of missing CCC activist Moreblessing Ali in June this year.

Their release coincides with Zimbabwe’s current assessment by representatives from the Commonwealth led by assistant Secretary General Professor Luis Franschesci.

The team jetted into the country last weekend to evaluate whether Zimbabwe now satisfies conditions to re-join the 56-member body.

It also follows the release of Chitungwiza North legislator, Godfrey Sithole last week after spending over 145 days behind bars at the notorious Chikurubi prison.

He was granted ZWL300 000 bail last Tuesday while his co-accused, Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala was denied freedom a consecutive eight times thereby opting for trial.

His appearance at Harare Magistrates Court this Tuesday attracted heavy riot police presence.

However, the trial failed to kick-off as his lawyers Jeremiah Bamu and Doug Coltart told the court that they were now pursuing a new bail application basing on changed circumstances.

This new turn moved the court to make new arrangements thereby postponing the bail hearing to Friday this week.

A new trial date was also set for November 24. Nhau/Indaba

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