HARARE - Centre for Research and Development (CRD) director Farai Maguwu was last Wednesday remanded in custody to June 30, while police complete investigations into charges that the CRD chief published false information prejudicial to the state. (Pictured: Farai Maguwu Arre
“It is ordered that the (bail) application is hereby dismissed. The accused is remanded in custody in absentia to the 30th of June, 2010,” magistrate Don Ndirowei said citing the fact that police were still investigating the case.
Ndirowei said the state’s reasons to oppose the bail application citing “investigations still under way” was valid to deny Maguwu bail, however, he granted an application by the defence for Maguwu to seek medical attention to doctors of his choice.
Maguwu had failed in an earlier application for bail at the High Court with Justice Chinembiri Bhunu ruling that the CRD boss was facing a serious charge carrying possible long jail sentence and was a flight risk if released from jail.
Maguwu, whose CRD has investigated and exposed smuggling and other illegal activities at the controversial Marange diamond mines, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with communicating false statements prejudicial to the state after he allegedly wrote reports detailing alleged rights abuses by security forces at the notorious diamond field.
He faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.
Post published in: Politics