Mugabe approves Mukoko's bail

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Written by David

Thursday, 07 May 2009 07:48

Moses Mudzwiti
ZIMBABWE'S ageing President Robert Mugabe, 85, yesterday moved swiftly to secure the release of jailed activist Jestina Mukoko and 14 others amid threats of a split in his unity government.

Under pressure from MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the president instructed the justice department to reinstate Mukoko's US600 bail.
Mukoko, who is the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was put behind bars on Tuesday.
Prosecutors said the former television presenter and 17 others accused of plotting to overthrow Mugabe's regime had to be remanded in custody ahead of their trials.
But yesterday Harare magistrate Catherine Chimanda reversed her decision to keep the activists in jail. Chimanda said only three of the 18 accused would remain in custody.
She said evidence against the three weighed heavily against their release on bail.
Across town at the MDC headquarters, the party's secretary general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti issued an ultimatum to Mugabe. He demanded that all political activists must be released by Monday, otherwise the MDC would escalate the matter to SADC .
Biti was clearly unaware that the activists had their bail reinstated and freed under orders from Mugabe.
Those remanded in custody include photo-journalist Shadrack Manyere, who won this year's US National Association of Black Journalists award. The accolade is named after South African icon Percy Qoboza.
Manyere is scheduled to receive his award for bravery in Tampa, US, in August.
The magistrate said because Manyere and two others were found in possession of explosives they would have to remain in custody until their trial at a later date.

The Times (SA)

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