High Court grant ZCTU leader bail 19-05-08

 

ZCTU PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: High Court grants ZCTU Leaders' bail

Date: 19 May 2008

High Court Judge, Justice Ben Hlatshwayo today granted Z$20 billion bail each to two Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders' who were are facing charges of inciting the public to rise against the government and communicating falsehoods.

The judge's decision comes after a Harare Magistrate, Olivia Mariga, had on Monday 12 May 2008, refused to grant Mr. Lovemore Matombo, ZCTU President, and Mr. Wellington Chibebe, ZCTU Secretary General, bail claiming that they were not suitable for bail.

As part of the conditions for granting bail, Justice Hlatshwayo said the two were being barred to "address any political gathering until this matter is finalized". They were also ordered to reside at their given home addresses and not to interfere with any state witnesses.

The ZCTU leaders were charged with inciting people to rise against the government and falsehoods after they told workers gathered at Dzivaresekwa Stadium on May 1, 2008 that people were being killed during the current wave of political violence in the country.

The two ZCTU leaders were arrested after they presented themselves to the police on Thursday 8 May 2008 where they were initially interrogated for more than six hours before charges were laid against them. They had availed themselves to the police after armed police had visited their residences searching for them.

The leaders were held at Harare Remand Prison. The High Court Judge heard the bail application on Thursday 16 May 2008, but deferred the verdict to today.

The matter will be heard on 23 May 2008 at Harare Magistrate's Courts

Last Tarabuku
Acting Information Officer
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
P.O Box 3549
Harare, Zimbabwe

Telephone 263-4-794702/794742
Cell 263 11 620 231
Fax 263-4- 728484
E-mail info@zctu.co.zw
Website www.zctu.co.zw