Justice Chitapi “toothache” delays Mamombe, Chimbiri bail ruling
By Nyashadzashe Ndoro | Nehanda Courts |
High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi postponed bail ruling on an appeal made by MDC Alliance duo Cecilia Chimbiri and Joanah Mamombe a second time, saying he has a toothache.
The ruling is now set to be delivered tomorrow.
Mamombe and Chimbiri are being accused of breaching Covid-19 regulations after holding a press conference at the Magistrates’ Court expressing disappointment and solidarity with their colleague Makomborero Haruzivishe who was convicted and sentenced to 14 months in jail.
They were first denied bail at the lower court last month and applied for freedom at the High Court where they were denied bail again by Justice Chitapi.
They went back and applied for bail at the Magistrates Court citing changed circumstances but Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro denied them freedom and urged the duo to wait for their trial which is scheduled for the 5th of May 2021.
The two applied for bail for the fourth time before Justice Chitapi last week and he postponed judgement to today. With their lawyer, Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Chimbiri and Mamombe went to the High Court anticipating ruling but they were told Justice Chitapi was unwell with a “toothache.”
“Our lawyer Alec Muchadehama will have to return to Harare High Court on Wednesday @11:30 am to take note of Justice Chitapi’s judgment on the bail appeal for Hon. @JoanaMamombe & @ceechimbiri2. Justice Chitapi couldn’t hand down the ruling today as he is not feeling well today,” ZLHR confirmed.
MDC Alliance national Secretary General Charlton Hwende said the High Court’s failure to deliver ruling showed that the judiciary system in Zimbabwe was captured.
“High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi has postponed the bail ruling for MDC Alliance members Cecilia Chimbiri and Joana Mamombe saying he has a toothache. Under normal circumstances another judge would have been tasked to deliver the ruling. These courts are captured,” he said.
The House of Lords in the UK yesterday raised a red flag over the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe and called for action on Harare after the arrest and detention of opposition MDC Alliance party leaders and activists in the past few weeks.
Meanwhile, Haruzivishe was sentenced last week by Magistrate Judith Taruvinga on charges of inciting public violence in connection with a demonstration that happened last year when vendors attacked the police. Nehanda Radio
