ZCTU PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: ZCTU leaders' trial postponed to 30 July 2008

Date: 23 June 2008

The trial of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders, President Lovemore Matombo and Secretary-General Wellington Chibebe, who appeared in court today, 23 June 2008 facing allegations of communicating falsehoods and inciting the public to rise against the government' failed to take place and has been postponed to 30 July 2008.


When the two leaders arrived at Harare magistrate Court, there was no trial magistrate and State Prosecutor. The State Prosecutor, Mr Tawanda Zvekare was said to away on another business while no reason was given why the trial magistrate was not present.

The ZCTU leaders waited for more than three hours before the matter was taken up by another magistrate. ZCTU lawyer, Aleck Muchandehama complained that there were no court records and witnesses and that they were made to wait for a long time as the State was looking for the records.

He indicated to the court that if the State does not proceed with the trial on 30 July 2008, he would apply for a refusal of further remand for the ZCTU leaders.The ZCTU leaders are on Z$20 billion bail that was granted by High Court on 19 May 2008. As part of the conditions for granting bail, the two are being barred from addressing 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 charges arose after the address they made at Dzivaresekwa Stadium on Workers Day on May 1, 2008.

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