Judge Joseph Musakwa ruled that Timba's rights had been violated, since he was denied food and access to his lawyers.
'There was a violation of his rights. He was not informed of the charges he
was facing,' said Musakwa. 'Therefore, there is no justification for his
continued detention.'
Timba said he was 'moved from one police station to another' and had never
been made aware of any charges brought against him.
But immediately after his release, three plainclothes policemen prevented
him from getting into his vehicle and ordered him into the back of an open
truck, leaving his wife in tears.
Timba's arrest is likely to further strain relations within the country's
fragile coalition government, which was formed by Mugabe and Tsvangirai more
than two years ago.
The two leaders have clashed on a number of issues, including on the removal
of sanctions and the full implementation of the coalition deal.
Mugabe wants elections held this year to end the coalition government, while
Tsvangirai insists that key political reforms must be implemented first.
Post published in: News