Lost passport keeps Beitbridge activist behind bars

LAWYERS representing activist Bhekimpilo Mbedzi have approached the High Court seeking to vary his bail conditions after a missing, expired passport prevented his release from remand prison.

Mbedzi, who is also the Matabeleland South chairperson of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), was granted bail by the Masvingo High Court following his arrest in connection with protests against Constitutional Amendment Act 3 (CAA3).

However, he remains in custody because his wife has been unable to locate his passport, which the court clerk reportedly requires before accepting payment of the stipulated bail amount.

Mbedzi's lawyer, Patrick Tererai, told Standard People that efforts to locate the travel document had been unsuccessful and that the Registrar-General's Office had confirmed that it had expired.

"The NDWG had availed the funds, but the clerk cannot accept payment without the passport," Tererai said.

"His wife did not find it in the house and it is also expired. The Registrar-General has also given us confirmation that the passport is expired."

The lawyer said the legal team had consequently filed an application at the High Court seeking to have the bail conditions amended.

"We have already made an application at the High Court to vary the bail conditions," Tererai said.

The passport issue has effectively delayed Mbedzi's release despite the granting of bail, leaving him incarcerated while his lawyers seek judicial intervention.

Mbedzi was arrested during a government crackdown on opposition-linked activists amid planned demonstrations over President Emmerson Mnangagwa's continued stay in power and proposed constitutional amendments.

His arrest and continued detention have attracted criticism from opposition activists and rights organisations, who have called for the release of people arrested in connection with the planned protests.

Amnesty International has also called for Mbedzi's unconditional release and recently wrote to Prosecutor-General Loice Matanda-Moyo concerning his detention.

"The Zimbabwean authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Bhekimpilo Mbedzi as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights," the organisation said.

The rights group argued that Mbedzi's rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly were protected under Zimbabwe's Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a state party.

The High Court application will now determine whether the passport requirement can be removed or otherwise amended, potentially clearing the way for Mbedzi to complete his bail formalities and leave remand prison.