Fourteen opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists arrested over violence in Nyatsime have been granted bail by the High Court.
The fourteen were arrested in June this year together with legislators Job Sikhala (Zengeza West) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North) following violent skirmishes that erupted in Nyatsime in the wake of slain CCC activist Moreblessing Ali’s funeral.
High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi set Z$50,000 as bail for each with Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala now the only prisoner held without bail after the release of fellow legislator Godfrey Sithole last week.
Posting on Twitter, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa thanked advocate Thabani Mpofu and said Sikhala’s bail is now a necessity.
“Good News…Bail Granted! Finally the #Nyatsime14 have been granted bail. Now Hon @JobSikhala1 must be granted bail. Thanks to @adv_fulcrum for representing our citizens heroes. Glory be to God,” posted Chamisa
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere also posted saying they will not celebrate the release.
“We breathe a sigh of relief but we don’t celebrate. They should never have been jailed without trial in the first place. Bail is a constitutional right,” said Mahere.
The 14 are Precious Jeche, Audious Makoma, Misheck Guzha, Shepherd Bulakazi, Tatenda Pindahama, Enoch Tsoka, Emmanuel Muradzikwa, Chauya Shopa, Roan Tsoka, Zephaniah Chinembiri, Zecks Makoni, Robert Madzokera, Clever Sibanda and Ephrage Gwavava.
They were represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu, duly instructed by Noble Chinhanu of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
