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MDC legislator 'Lynette Karenyi' out on bail
29 Dec 2011 at 06:19hrs | Views
MDC legislator for Chimanimani West Lynette Karenyi who stands accused for insulting President Robert Mugabe was on Wednesday granted bail after the state failed to challenge its earlier application denying her bail.
Mutare magistrate Noah Gwatidzo granted Karenyi a $200 bail after the expiry of seven days following the state's invocation of the "draconian" Section (121) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act last week.
Karenyi is alleged to have described President Robert Mugabe a homosexual. She claimed Mugabe was having a homosexual affair with serial political flip-flopper, Jonathan Moyo.
Gwatidzo had granted Karenyi $300 bail last week with a few reporting conditions but the state represented by Truman Joma promptly invoked Section (121) which meant that Karenyi was to be remanded in prison for a further seven days ostensibly to give the state time to prepare papers to oppose bail.
The state had by yesterday afternoon not filed arguments against the accused leaving Gwatidzo with no option but to set her free.
David Tandiri who represents Karenyi said he was happy the state had not fought against his client's liberty.
Karenyi, 36, was arrested on December 19 in Mutare after she handed herself to the police in the company of her lawyer.
The legislator is charged with "undermining authority of or insulting President" as defined in Section 33 (20) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Karenyi allegedly told a gathering of her party supporters that, "Zanu PF members have been attacking MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai alleging him to be pro-homosexuality yet Robert Mugabe was involved in homosexual activities with Jonathan Moyo and also Canaan Banana was gay."
Karenyi allegedly made the utterances on December 9 while addressing her party supporters at Nhedziwa in Chimanimani on developments within the party.
Dozens of MDC members thronged the magistrates' courts leaving the court full to the brim forcing others to follow proceedings from outside the court room.
Chief law officer Michael Mugabe and Lloyd Kurehwatira appeared for the state.
Mutare magistrate Noah Gwatidzo granted Karenyi a $200 bail after the expiry of seven days following the state's invocation of the "draconian" Section (121) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act last week.
Karenyi is alleged to have described President Robert Mugabe a homosexual. She claimed Mugabe was having a homosexual affair with serial political flip-flopper, Jonathan Moyo.
Gwatidzo had granted Karenyi $300 bail last week with a few reporting conditions but the state represented by Truman Joma promptly invoked Section (121) which meant that Karenyi was to be remanded in prison for a further seven days ostensibly to give the state time to prepare papers to oppose bail.
The state had by yesterday afternoon not filed arguments against the accused leaving Gwatidzo with no option but to set her free.
Karenyi, 36, was arrested on December 19 in Mutare after she handed herself to the police in the company of her lawyer.
The legislator is charged with "undermining authority of or insulting President" as defined in Section 33 (20) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Karenyi allegedly told a gathering of her party supporters that, "Zanu PF members have been attacking MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai alleging him to be pro-homosexuality yet Robert Mugabe was involved in homosexual activities with Jonathan Moyo and also Canaan Banana was gay."
Karenyi allegedly made the utterances on December 9 while addressing her party supporters at Nhedziwa in Chimanimani on developments within the party.
Dozens of MDC members thronged the magistrates' courts leaving the court full to the brim forcing others to follow proceedings from outside the court room.
Chief law officer Michael Mugabe and Lloyd Kurehwatira appeared for the state.
Source - Daily News
