High Court releases 57 activists

HIGH Court Judge Justice Happias Zhou released 57 activists who have been in custody since their arrest last month for allegedly participating in a demonstration where they were demanding electoral reforms on $30 bail.

Petros Sokole and 56 others are facing charges of public violence.

They were denied bail at the Magistrates Court, compelling their lawyers, Obey Shava and Jeremiah Bamu to appeal at the High Court. They were ordered to deposit $30 with the Clerk of court, to report once every Friday to the Harare Central's CID Law and Order Section, to reside at the given addresses until the finalisation of the matter and not to interfere with State witnesses as part of their bail conditions.

Magistrate Bianca Makwande also dismissed an application for refusal of further remand of 51 Mabvuku residents who were arrested on 4 July and are being charged with public violence for allegedly participating in demonstration against police corruption and a $200 fine regime gazetted through Statutory Instrument 41 of 2016. They were further remanded to 27 October 2016.

The Magistrate then gave notice to the State to set a trial date and failure to do so would result in the removal of the 51 from remand. She also relaxed the reporting conditions of the residents who are all male to once a month.

They are represented by ZLHR members Gift Mtisi, Jeremiah Bamu, Trust Maanda and Dorcas Chitiyo.