News / National
Police ordered to avail Timba for a hearing and justify his arrest
26 Jun 2011 at 05:54hrs | Views
Jameson Timba of the MDC-T, is expected to appear in court today following a High Court order last night compelling the police to avail him for a hearing and justify his incarceration.
In granting an application by Timba's lawyers led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu which, among other issues, sought to compel the police to disclose Timba's whereabouts and grant him access to legal representation, Justice Joseph Musakwa also ordered that the minister be brought before his chambers today at 11am.
The State, represented by chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura, did not oppose the aspect of the application that sought to give Timba access to legal representation but had opposed the granting of an order compelling police to bring him to court today.
At today's hearing, the police would be expected to justify Timba's incarceration.
If no grounds are found for his further detention, the judge said, the minister will be released.
In the application, Timba's lawyers stated that he was unlawfully arrested and his whereabouts were unknown.
Timba was arrested on Friday evening on allegations of undermining the authority of the President.
The arrest follows statements attributed to him in The Sunday Times newspaper recently.
The minister is said to have accused President Mugabe and Zanu-PF ministers of being liars after they gave their version of events about the just- ended Sadc summit in Sandton, South Africa.
In granting an application by Timba's lawyers led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu which, among other issues, sought to compel the police to disclose Timba's whereabouts and grant him access to legal representation, Justice Joseph Musakwa also ordered that the minister be brought before his chambers today at 11am.
The State, represented by chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura, did not oppose the aspect of the application that sought to give Timba access to legal representation but had opposed the granting of an order compelling police to bring him to court today.
At today's hearing, the police would be expected to justify Timba's incarceration.
If no grounds are found for his further detention, the judge said, the minister will be released.
In the application, Timba's lawyers stated that he was unlawfully arrested and his whereabouts were unknown.
Timba was arrested on Friday evening on allegations of undermining the authority of the President.
The arrest follows statements attributed to him in The Sunday Times newspaper recently.
The minister is said to have accused President Mugabe and Zanu-PF ministers of being liars after they gave their version of events about the just- ended Sadc summit in Sandton, South Africa.
Source - Byo24News
