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Biti remanded to June 16
3 hrs ago |
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Prominent lawyer and opposition politician Tendai Biti and former Beitbridge mayor Morgan Ncube have been remanded to June 16 after appearing in court on charges linked to an alleged unauthorised meeting discussing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
The two appeared before Mutare magistrate Honest Musiiwa on Tuesday, where the matter was postponed to next month.
Biti, who is the convener of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), and Ncube, the organisation's national programmes director, are accused of convening a public meeting without notifying the regulating authority in violation of Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23].
State prosecutor Brighton Garikai Chiromo represented the State.
According to court papers, the pair was arrested on March 21, 2026, following a meeting allegedly held at 26B Carrington, Darlington, Mutare.
The State alleges that the gathering, attended by about 30 people, focused on discussions surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
Prosecutors claim the meeting was conducted without notifying the Mutare Central District Regulating Authority as required by law.
The State further alleges that the venue is commonly associated with political meetings involving supporters of the MDC Alliance and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Biti and Ncube were previously granted bail of US$500 each by Magistrate Musiiwa under strict conditions.
As part of the bail terms, Biti was ordered to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court in Mutare, while Ncube was barred from applying for a new passport until the matter is finalised.
Both accused were also instructed to report twice weekly at their nearest CID Law and Order offices and not to interfere with State witnesses.
The duo is being represented by lawyer Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.
The matter had earlier been postponed to May 26 after the State indicated it was not ready to proceed with trial.
Both accused remain out on bail pending their next court appearance on June 16.
The two appeared before Mutare magistrate Honest Musiiwa on Tuesday, where the matter was postponed to next month.
Biti, who is the convener of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), and Ncube, the organisation's national programmes director, are accused of convening a public meeting without notifying the regulating authority in violation of Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23].
State prosecutor Brighton Garikai Chiromo represented the State.
According to court papers, the pair was arrested on March 21, 2026, following a meeting allegedly held at 26B Carrington, Darlington, Mutare.
The State alleges that the gathering, attended by about 30 people, focused on discussions surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
Prosecutors claim the meeting was conducted without notifying the Mutare Central District Regulating Authority as required by law.
Biti and Ncube were previously granted bail of US$500 each by Magistrate Musiiwa under strict conditions.
As part of the bail terms, Biti was ordered to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court in Mutare, while Ncube was barred from applying for a new passport until the matter is finalised.
Both accused were also instructed to report twice weekly at their nearest CID Law and Order offices and not to interfere with State witnesses.
The duo is being represented by lawyer Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.
The matter had earlier been postponed to May 26 after the State indicated it was not ready to proceed with trial.
Both accused remain out on bail pending their next court appearance on June 16.
Source - Midweek Watch
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