Legal merry-go-round for detained MDC activists continues

By Lance Guma
13 June 2007

At least 17 MDC activists detained in remand prison over spurious terrorism charges had their bid for freedom derailed again after the High Court told both state and defence lawyers to go back to the Magistrates Court to resolve outstanding applications. Alec Muchadehama and his defence team had hoped to get bail for the remaining activists but in the end both sides agreed to await the finalisation of a Friday hearing, in which they want the lower court to either force a trial date or throw out the case. The bail applications for Glen View MP Paul Madzore and 12 others will now be heard on the 19th of June, while that of Morgan Komichi and 3 others will be heard on the 16th June.

Muchadehama expressed frustration with the process, saying it was a deliberate ploy by the state to prolong the incarceration of his clients. In court on Wednesday one of the state prosecutors refused to handle the matter instead throwing responsibility to his colleague who was absent from the proceedings. This Muchadehama said was clearly designed to frustrate them and create further delays. He said the state is refusing to set a trial date, grant bail or have the case thrown own and yet quite content to have the MDC activists remain in remand prison. Over the last few weeks the state has been forced into an embarrassing climb down with police withdrawing charges against 13 activists and the courts ordering their release.