MDC female trio denied bail

The three female MDC activists who were arrested on allegations of having lied about their abduction were dealt a major blow yesterday by being being denied bail. The three youth leaders namely Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova will have to languish in remand prison pending their trial.

In denying bail, Magistrate Bianca Makanda said the trio would cause commotion since that had the support of the international community, resulting in Zimbabwe being sidelined. The three complained that they had gone for three days without any food as alleged by their lawyer. They claimed officers from the Prisons and Correctional services denied them access to the food brought in by their relatives and legal representatives. The magistrate granted an order for the three to be given food. Their next court date is 26 June.

Charges against the three are that they communicated false statements prejudicial to the state or defeating the course of justice. The magistrate ruled that the statements ha the effect of tarnishing the image of the country. She also stated that the evidence by the state was overwhelming hence bail was denied. The denial has sparked outrage with most people echoing sentiments that the judiciary is a captured institution. The three disappeared in May after leading a march against hunger. They were later found injured and shaken and alleged that they had been tortured and made to drink raw sewage.

They were later arrested for having lied about their ordeal.