HuThe bail hearing for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim leader Jameson Timba and 77 activists has been postponed after the State requested more time to respond to the application currently before the High Court. The hearing, initially scheduled before Justice Lucy Mungwari, will now take place next Tuesday following mutual consent from both parties involved.
Timba and the other activists were arrested on June 16 on charges of attending an unauthorized meeting and engaging in disorderly conduct. Among those detained, one minor has already been released, while Timba’s son, Shaun, was granted US$100 bail last week. It was demonstrated that Shaun was inadvertently caught in the mass arrest while delivering a Father’s Day gift to his father.
Legal and Political Reactions
Their lawyer, Agency Gumbo, described the continued detention as “unfortunate” and expressed hope for a swift resolution. “The State wants to consolidate another bail appeal set for hearing tomorrow with this appeal. They promised to respond to our application by tomorrow, so we agreed to the postponement, even though we have not received a response from the State after serving them the appeal,” he said. “It is unfortunate that our champions will spend the weekend in prison, but we hope that on Tuesday the matter will be heard and our champions will be granted bail.”
The CCC has long accused the government of targeting opposition members and condemning the arrests as politically motivated. CCC spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba stated that the arrests show that the ruling party is “scared.” He criticized the bail delay as a disregard for constitutional rights. “It’s very sad to see the Harare regime continue its script of persecuting opponents through prosecution. Surely, SADC cannot hand over the chairmanship to a country that disregards its citizens’ rights and the constitution. Let’s continue demanding their release,” the CCC said in a statement.
Previously, Magistrate Ruth Moyo denied bail to Timba and the other activists, citing concerns that they were likely to breach the peace. Moyo also stated that the defendants were likely to reoffend, given that they had threatened to pursue the families of the officers who arrested them.
The delay in the bail hearing underscores the tension between the CCC and the ruling party. The opposition sees the arrests as part of a broader strategy to undermine their activities and intimidate their supporters. The State, however, maintains that the arrests were justified based on the alleged offenses.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
As the High Court prepares to hear the bail appeal, the case continues to draw significant attention both domestically and internationally. Observers are keenly watching how the judicial system handles the situation, which has significant implications for political freedoms and the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
Agency Gumbo, the lawyer representing Timba and the activists, highlighted the hardships faced by his clients, emphasizing that their continued detention without a timely bail hearing is a breach of their rights. “We are looking at a situation where political bias is interfering with justice. Our clients are being punished before their guilt has been established,” he stated.
The CCC’s stance has been one of resilience and defiance. Despite the setback, the party continues to call for international attention and intervention. “We urge all democratic nations and organizations to take note of these injustices. Zimbabwe’s path to true democracy is being hindered by these acts of repression,” said Siziba.
The opposition party has organized peaceful protests and rallies to demand the release of their members, stressing that their activities are within their constitutional rights. The ruling party, on the other hand, has accused the CCC of attempting to destabilize the government and incite unrest.
Source: New Zimbabwe
