Air Zimbabwe bosses denied bail

Two Air Zimbabwe top managers facing allegations of defrauding the national airline of millions of dollars have been denied bail by the magistrate's court.
Acting Group CEO Innocent Mavhunga and former company secretary Grace Pfumbidzayi's bail application was thrown out by provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe, who said that the charges being faced by the two involve large sums of money, which if they are convicted, calls for lengthy sentences.
He added that it is clear that extra territorial investigations need to be carried out in Hong Kong and Europe and said it is also unclear what has become of the directors of Navistar Insurance Private Limited.
Mr Mahwe also noted that it is a principle of law that the relative strength of a state case and seriousness of an offence are critical issues which the court considers in issuance of bail.
Mavhunga and Pfumbidzayi will remain in custody at Harare Central Remand Prison and will appear in court for trial on the 4th of March 2014.
Meanwhile, Peter Chikumba and Grace Pfumbidzayi who face other charges of swindling the national airline are appearing before provincial magistrate Douglas Chikwekwe, who is set to determine their bail applications.