Sigh of Relief For Chademana as bail conditions are relaxed!

Chademanas Lawyer David Hofisi filed an urgent application for his clients bail conditions to be relaxed. Since the matter had been postponed to the 18th of August 2010. My client s bail conditions are strict and at one time she was denied the opportunity to visit her father who was recently involved in a car accident in Kwekwe. The fact that she has to report twice a week to the police limits her freedom of movement.

State Prosecutor Rufaro Mhandu was quick to point out that the state was not opposing that Chademana be allowed to go outside Harare but she still had to report to the police. The Magistrate however removed the 40km radius restriction and also ordered herto report once every fortnight to the police. Chademana commenting on the development said : I feel a bit relieved because I can be with my family who reside outside Harare. Reporting to the police twice every week was frustrating.

The trial commenced on the 2nd of August and she pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing pornographic material. Chademana is facing charges of contravening section 26(1) of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act (Chapter10:04)

It is the states case that on May 21 2010 following a police raid at the GALZ premises alleging that the organisation was in possession of dangerous drugs and pornographic material. During this search a folder written Gender Meetings and Minutes 2006 and 2007, which was amongst other folders in the filling cabinet at the reception, was found and it allegedly contained a pornographic picture of men engaging in sexual acts.

Chademana was arrested and detained in police custody for a week. As part of her bail conditions she was ordered to pay USD$200 bail surrender her travel documents, restricted to reside at the same residents, report twice to the police and also restricted to a 40km radius outside Harare.