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'Mbedzi remains in custody over expired passport'
2 hrs ago |
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Bhekimpilo Mbedzi remains in custody despite being granted US$200 bail by the High Court, with National Democratic Working Group chairman Job Sikhala clarifying that his continued detention is not due to failure to raise the bail amount.
Sikhala said the bail money was made available to Mbedzi's lawyer, Patrick Tererai, immediately after the High Court granted bail on August 3, 2026.
According to Sikhala, the problem arose when Mbedzi was required to surrender his passport as one of his bail conditions, only for it to be established that the document had expired.
Speaking in an interview, Sikhala said Tererai, a lawyer with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, subsequently made inquiries which established that Mbedzi did not currently hold a valid passport.
"What it means is that the same judge who granted Mbedzi bail on condition that he surrenders his passport must make a variation to that bail condition for him to be released," Sikhala said.
He said the lawyer had obtained a confirmation affidavit from the Office of the Registrar-General stating that Mbedzi did not have a valid passport.
The affidavit is expected to be placed before the judge on Thursday, with Sikhala expressing confidence that Mbedzi would be released after the bail condition is varied.
Mbedzi was arrested in Beitbridge over allegations linked to a planned demonstration against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) on July 29, 2026.
Sikhala criticised Mbedzi's continued detention, alleging that authorities were seeking to keep him in custody until after the planned demonstration.
The allegations have not been independently established.
Under the bail conditions granted by the High Court, Mbedzi is required to pay US$200, report at Beitbridge Police Station twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, and reside at 2044 Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge.
The passport requirement, however, has complicated his release because the document he was expected to surrender is reportedly no longer valid.
The matter is expected to return before the High Court on Thursday for consideration of the requested variation to the bail conditions.
Sikhala said the bail money was made available to Mbedzi's lawyer, Patrick Tererai, immediately after the High Court granted bail on August 3, 2026.
According to Sikhala, the problem arose when Mbedzi was required to surrender his passport as one of his bail conditions, only for it to be established that the document had expired.
Speaking in an interview, Sikhala said Tererai, a lawyer with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, subsequently made inquiries which established that Mbedzi did not currently hold a valid passport.
"What it means is that the same judge who granted Mbedzi bail on condition that he surrenders his passport must make a variation to that bail condition for him to be released," Sikhala said.
He said the lawyer had obtained a confirmation affidavit from the Office of the Registrar-General stating that Mbedzi did not have a valid passport.
The affidavit is expected to be placed before the judge on Thursday, with Sikhala expressing confidence that Mbedzi would be released after the bail condition is varied.
Mbedzi was arrested in Beitbridge over allegations linked to a planned demonstration against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) on July 29, 2026.
Sikhala criticised Mbedzi's continued detention, alleging that authorities were seeking to keep him in custody until after the planned demonstration.
The allegations have not been independently established.
Under the bail conditions granted by the High Court, Mbedzi is required to pay US$200, report at Beitbridge Police Station twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, and reside at 2044 Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge.
The passport requirement, however, has complicated his release because the document he was expected to surrender is reportedly no longer valid.
The matter is expected to return before the High Court on Thursday for consideration of the requested variation to the bail conditions.
Source - Mirror
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