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Mukoko granted bail
MISA-Zimbabwe
May 06, 2009

Former news reader with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, Jestina Mukoko was on 6 May 2009 granted bail by Harare Magistrate, Catherine Chimanda after the defence reached a mutual agreement with the Attorney General's office to that effect.

Appearing on behalf of the State, Chris Mutangadura, told the court that there had been communication between the Defence counsel and the Attorney General, and the latter had consented to the bail of all the accused persons with the exception of freelance photojournalist Shadreck Manyere, and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists, Gandhi Mudzingwa and Kisimusi Dhlamini.

The State argued that Manyere, Mudzingwa, and Dhlamini could not be granted bail since they had a pending application lodged with the High Court after their re-arrest. The State also made an application for the warrant of liberation in respect of the accused persons and these were duly granted by the magistrate.

In her ruling the Magistrate noted that Mukoko and the other accused persons would be recommitted to bail with the same conditions that had previously been in place.

Background

Mukoko was granted bail after 92-days of detention following her alleged abduction from her home in Norton on the outskirts of Harare on 3 December 2008. Her whereabouts were unknown until her subsequent appearance in court on 24 December 2008, along with photojournalist Shadreck Manyere. Before her release Mukoko mounted numerous court applications in a bid to secure her freedom.

Both Mukoko and Manyere were granted bail on 2 March 2009 and 17 April 2009 respectively. Currently Manyere is detained in hospital.

On 5 May 2009 Mukoko, Manyere and 14 other alleged saboteurs had their bail conditions revoked by Magistrate Catherine Chimanda who ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter. She also ruled that the indictment of Mukoko, Manyere and others automatically suspended their bail and consequently remanded them in custody.

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