MDC-Alliance trio denied bail

Harare (New Ziana) –Detained MDC-Alliance legislator, Joanna Mamombe and party youth league members Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – accused of faking an abduction and making a false report to police – were on Monday denied bail by Harare Magistrate Bianca Makwande.

The trio, who are also facing other counts including staging an illegal demonstration in Warren Park high density suburb last month, were remanded to June 26.

In denying the trio bail, Makwande noted that they were facing serious allegations which attracted a custodial sentence of up to 20 years if convicted.

She also said that with the amount of evidence at hand against the trio, they were a flight risk.

The three, through their lawyers, indicated to the court that they would appeal the bail ruling at the High Court.

Reacting to the bail ruling, MDC-Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said the party was dismayed by the decision.

“We respect the decision of the courts, however we will be noting as advised by our lawyers an appeal against the ruling of the court. We stand by our view as a party that these women are innocent,” she told reporters.

Evidence gathered by police has so far pointed to a faked abduction as the three women were allegedly still roaming around Harare way after they had reported their alleged abduction.

Reports indicate that the police are in possession of video footage showing the women at a food court in Belgravia, hours after their alleged abduction.

Evidence at hand also does not place the women at the roadblock which they claimed to have been arrested on the day in question.
New Ziana