Mupfumira approaches the Supreme court for bail relief.

Former minister of Tourism and hospitality Prisca Mupfumira has now approached the Supreme Court in a bid to gain temporary release from custody through bail. The former minister was denied bail by High court judge Justice Ndewere. The reasons for refusal of bail were that there were compelling reasons justifying her continued incarceration. These included the fact that she was considered a flight risk and that she would interfere with state witnesses. Mupfumira was initially slapped with a 21 day ultimatum not to seek bail in any court in Zimbabwe after the Prosecutor General issued a certificate warranting such. The chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi had granted that resolution.

Mupfumira is facing charges of criminal abuse of office and is alleged to have swindled US 95 million from NSSA. Her lawyers are arguing that the state case against the former minister is weak and she ougt to be granted bail. Mupfumira is also arguing that the High court judge erred in not taking into consideration the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. She is maintaining her innocence.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing. Bail is a constitutional right in Zimbabwe but can be denied where there are compelling reasons.