Gushungo bombing suspects will not be removed from remand

The court yesterday turned down a request by four men, including jailed Zimbabwe People's Front president Owen Kuchata, suspected of plotting to bomb the First Family's dairy farm in Mazowe, to be removed from remand.

Harare magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande said the charge of treason that they are facing was a complex matter which requires that investigations be done properly and efficiently.

She said the state is justified to require more time to investigate and if the accused are convicted, they face life imprisonment.

The State already has a trial date for the accused and they will be indicted to the High Court in the first quarter of next year, of which the magistrate urgued thatit will be a rush to remove the accused on remand.

Kuchata is serving nine years for banditry and money laundering.

Kuchata is jointly charged with Borman Ngwenya, a soldier attached to military intelligence; Ngwenya Solomon Makumbe (29), also a Zimbabwe National Army corporal; and Silas Pfupa (37), an ex-soldier.

They are facing treason charges.