News / Regional
Maleme Update: 12 villagers granted bail
10 Mar 2015 at 17:31hrs | Views
The twelve villagers from Maleme who appeared before Kezi magistrate court today have been given free bail and their case postponed to March 19 for trial.
The magistrate gave the accused free bail opposing state submissions that they be granted $300 bail each. The accused were warned not to interfere with state witnesses and not got to the Maleme Ranch. Most of the accused reside in Natisa Village which is in the Maleme Ranch precinct.
The villagers were charged for kidnapping a farm worker employed by Ronald Mashingaidze who has been allocated the Maleme Ranch by government move which the villagers are resisting.
Leaving the court the villagers who were met by a large contingent of well wishing fellow villagers remained adamant that they will not give up on their fight for justice in their area. Scores of villagers who attended the court also vowed not yo give up on the fight for their land.
Meanwhile reports from the farm indicate that, Mashingaidze last night visited the farm and harassed villagers and workers at the farm who were harvesting tomatoes accusing them of stealing his produce.
The magistrate gave the accused free bail opposing state submissions that they be granted $300 bail each. The accused were warned not to interfere with state witnesses and not got to the Maleme Ranch. Most of the accused reside in Natisa Village which is in the Maleme Ranch precinct.
The villagers were charged for kidnapping a farm worker employed by Ronald Mashingaidze who has been allocated the Maleme Ranch by government move which the villagers are resisting.
Leaving the court the villagers who were met by a large contingent of well wishing fellow villagers remained adamant that they will not give up on their fight for justice in their area. Scores of villagers who attended the court also vowed not yo give up on the fight for their land.
Meanwhile reports from the farm indicate that, Mashingaidze last night visited the farm and harassed villagers and workers at the farm who were harvesting tomatoes accusing them of stealing his produce.
Source - Byo24News
