Mapostori bail ruling today

The High Court will today hear a bail appeal by 24 members of the Madzibaba Ishmael Mufani-led Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic sect, who are accused of assaulting their rivals, police and journalists in Budiriro.

The 24 - through lawyer Obey Shava - filed a bail appeal after a Harare magistrate dismissed their initial freedom bid.

Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe ruled that the release of the suspects would cause a public outcry and threw out the bail application despite a concession by the National Prosecuting Authority.

The group is charged with public violence and will be back at the magistrates' courts next Monday for routine remand.

It is argued that the suspects were proper candidates for bail and that they were of fixed abode.