They were on trial for charges relating to the combined cases of the 16
October 2008 case and a 19 June 2004 arrest. The state, represented by
Mr. Shawarira, was not ready for trial however and so Magistrate Msipa
postponed the trial until 22 January 2009. All bail and reporting
conditions were removed after an application for relaxation by the
defence.
The pair had been charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and
Reform) Act with disturbing the peace for the 2008 case and under the
Miscellaneous Offences Act (which was replaced in 2006) with breaching
the peace for the
2004 case. None of the state witnesses were present in the courtroom for the
2008 matter. Only one of the state witnesses for the 2004 matter was present.
Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu look forward to travelling
outside of a 40 kilometre radius of Bulawayo and thank all friends who
offered their solidarity.