The application by jailed Nhlambaloyi Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni to get his bail pending appeal granted on Tuesday was frustrated by the State prosecutor who asked for time to respond to Chief Ndiweni’s bail application.
Reports from High court say the prosecutor said the Magistrate has still not supplied reasons for sentencing. The presiding Judge Mabhikwa said the state should avail its response to the bail application and heads of arguments by 4.30pm today.
The case for bail hearing will be heard in court tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10AM.
Last week we reported that a member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation told this publication that the full judgement by the magistrate was a sensitive one and an instruction was issued that it must not be provided to the lawyers and the public but be kept under lock and key.
Commenting on the latest developments MDC Treasurer General David Coltart said, “It is appalling that the State isn’t ready to argue the matter resulting in Chief Ndiweni having to spend another night in detention in the disgusting conditions prevailing at Khami Prison.
“I question how often the Minister of Justice, Judges, Magistrates and State Prosecutors visit and inspect conditions in police cells and prisons. The flippant way in which negligence, or worse, malice, is allowed to deny citizen’s fundamental rights to liberty is shocking.”
Ndiweni is being represented by Professor Welshman Ncube and Dumisani Dube of Mathonsi law chambers.
Legal gurus like Josphat Tshuma and David Coltart attended the event.
In other news…Gukurahundi documentalist Silonda dies
Former director of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Matabeleland chapter who played a pivotal role in the documentation of the Gukurahundi massacres by CCJP in the 1980s, Joel Buhlalo Silonda has died.
He was 95. The veteran human rights activist and educationist died on Saturday at his home after battling with prostate cancer for a long time. continue reading…
Source – Byo24News
