The release on bail of suspected Mbare drug lord, Simbarashe Chanachimwe, a.k.a Dhama has been described as a “travesty of justice”.
Dhama appeared in court on Thursday on charges of unlawful drug possession.
He was freed on ZWL50 000 bail by magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje and is expected back in court on March 20 for trial.
The magistrate ordered Dhama to report once every Friday at St Mary’s Police Station and to continue residing at his given address.
Observers have, however, accused the courts of bias, noting that political prisoners like MP Job Sikhala remain incarcerated for more than 250 days without bail.
Sikhala was arrested on June 14 last year on allegations inciting public violence to avenge the murder of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali.
Political analyst Pride Mkono described the release of Dhama as “a travesty of justice”.
“Bail is a fundamental right for all accused persons but it is curious and even shocking if the same court treats two accused persons differently,” he said.
“One was on the run for over a week and was given bail on first appearance at court while the other is a law officer who has been denied bail over 10 times. There is lack of balance on the part of the courts and certainly exposes an underlying corrupting influence in how decisions are reached. It is a travesty of justice.”
Award winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said: “Simbarashe ‘Dhama’ Chanachimwe is a drug dealer. He was on the run from police and was eventually arrested. He got US$50 bail and reports to police twice a month.
“Hopewell Chin’ono is a journalist who exposed corruption. He was jailed for 85 days and ordered to report twice a week.”
Dhama was found with 26 sachets of mbanje and a plant measuring 1.7 metres and are being held as exhibits.
The music promoter was found in possession of the drugs after his Matapi flat in Mbare was raided by police earlier this week.
Vasina mhosva are rotting in jail
Law? what law? there is no rule of law here in Zimbabwe
Chikonzero ndiyo Zimbabwe yacho Thomas mapfumo once said this
Do we have law in Zim we are treated like human waste
As long mnangagwa is leading Zim we are going to suffer
Ma1
We all know who is the biggest drug lord in Harare we talk of injustice to the other inmates
,as long u ain’t opp u don’t understand
Ndewe Zanu uyo Dhama
Maybe supplier wake aty abude uyu mutengesi chete
Kooo Magistrate anga sunge Mare kkkk anorova homwe chete , Drugs , hazvipere izvo panotosungwa vana gogo vanorima mbanje kwete ma dru dealers kkkkkkkk
Boss dhaaaa vaita chiiii chacho aaah
Its the animal farm scenario nothing strange here
Nothing last forever
The problem is those judiciary bandits in courts masquerading as magistrates and judges. Zanu Puuuuuuu cronies occupying court benches masquerading as magistrates and judges. Anadako
Mutemo wekasunama wakarerekera divi rimwe
Dhama
Dhama mukuru wemadrugz mukuru webhuwe