By Court Correspondent| Contrary to Constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku’s expert comment that Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira does not have any window for bail until after 21 days, the High Court has ruled that magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi misdirected himself in refusing her a release.

Mupfumira is on trial for corruption for over $95 million NSSA money allegedly paid out on her verbal orders.

Magistrate Mutevedzi last week ruled that Mupfumira will stay in remand prison for over 21 days as per a certificate presented by the prosecution. To this expert, prof Lovemore Madhuku said the minister has no window of opportunity under the law to appeal unless via the Constitutional Court. He made these comments to the broadcaster, ZBC and reiterated them to ZimEye (interview below).

But in an appeal presented by Mupfumira’s lawyer, on Friday, Lewis Uriri, High Court Judge, Erica Ndewere has ruled that Mutevedzi misdirected himself.

Justice Ndewere said, “we are dealing with an unusual case where there is an appeal before this court now being treated like a fresh bail application. We have a situation where a judicial officer refused to entertain the issue of bail which I have already said was a misdirection. The issue of bail was not well ventilated, so it is fair that I allow the State to call the IO.

“This will give the defence an opportunity to cross examine him because this court doesn’t want to repeat the same mistake.

“We ended up having a one-sided case in which the issue of the certificate only was entertained,” she said Ndewere.

She postponed the matter to Monday for continuation of bail hearing.