HARARE, Jul 3 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba will spend her third night in pre-trial detention after magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe postponed her bail ruling to tomorrow, citing power outage at the court building.
Zaba was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of ‘undermining or insulting’ President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a satirical column published under the pseudonym “The Muckraker” last Friday.
The power cut that plunged the whole building into darkness occurred after both the State and defence had concluded their submissions with Chikwekwe expected to make his ruling.
At the hearing stage, the State did not oppose bail, with the prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawo citing medical records presented by the defence.
“We have no compelling reasons to warrant the State to oppose bail and we propose conditions that this court may consider in and when the court is inclined,” Jambawo said.
Following the withdrawal, defence lawyer Chris Mhike applied for bail with conditions.
“‘We have no objections to the proposed conditions. She undertakes not to interfere with investigations. She is not a member of ZRP. Not the daughter of police officers, doesn't employ any members of the ZRP and has no capacity to interfere with the ZRP,” he submitted.
“She owns valuable immovable and movable properties acquired in over 30 years as a journalist. She is an award-winning journalist well respected in Zimbabwean media, commercial, human rights and philanthropic circles. Her philanthropy is rooted in business and not questionable sources. She is a dependable citizen who can be trusted with her freedom.”
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Mhike also flagged her poor health.
“It is regrettable that the police couldn't allow her to go home after the warned and cautioned statement. But the fact that she walked in shows her commendable character. Citizens who honour and respect authorities ought to be spared from the harsh realities of prison,” Mhike said.
The State did not make submissions, with Jambawo saying they had no compelling reason to oppose bail.
Zaba is the second senior journalist from the Alpha Media Holdings stable, in recent times to attract the ire of the authorities, after HStv head of news, Blessed Mhlanga, who spent 72 days in pretrial detention before he was released on May 6 on US$500 bail.
The arrest of the two journalists has drawn widespread condemnation.
