Justice Bhunu Chinembiri concurred with human rights lawyers Alec Muchadehama and Chris Mhike that an earlier ruling by Harare Provincial Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa to keep researchers Thabani Mpofu, Felix Matsinde, Councillor Warship Dumba and Mehluli Tshuma in custody should be set aside.
The four were arrested on 17 March 2013 on allegations of contravening Section 4 of Official Secrets Act for allegedly receiving or communicating secret information, Section 179 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) for alleged impersonation and Section 40
(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for possession of articles for criminal use.
They were each granted $500 bail and ordered not to interfere with witnesses.
They were told to surrender their passports and report to police once a week on Fridays.
Gofa had argued on 20 March that the accused would interfere with witnesses and therefore should be confined to Harare Remand Prison.
The four aides return to court on 3 April 2013.
Post published in: News