MDC legislator for Harare West Johanna Mamombe’s further remand refusal bid was dismissed yesterday after a court ruled that there is no excessive delay in prosecuting her treason case.

Harare magistrate Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa said Mamombe faced a complex charge which required more time on investigations.

Mamombe is accused of attempting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government by influencing demonstrations which rocked the country in January last year.
The demonstrations followed the announcement of fuel price hikes by Mnangagwa which torched protests by civilians.

“The State has shown that there is progress in the matter and two law officers are said to have informed their opinions to the case,” Mugwagwa said.

“We are aware that the Constitution provides that trial should be dealt with within a reasonable period of time. In my view there has not been an inordinate delay as the nature of the offence committed requires more time.”

Mamombe was represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Jeremiah Bamu who contested Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti’s request for further postponement of the matter to March 19 on the same reason that has been proffered since mid-last year.

“No valid reason has been given why further remand is sought. The same reason given today has been regurgitated for a long period of time and what comes out clearly is that State does not know whether to prosecute this matter or not,” Bamu said.

“That uncertainty at the level of the prosecutor-general is sufficient cause why this matter should be removed from remand.

“The State has failed since August 22 to process indict papers and have the accused person’s trial commence in the High Court.”

Allegations are that the opposition lawmaker addressed a press conference at Civic Centre in Marlborough, Harare where she called on citizens to engage in acts of civil disobedience with the intention to remove a sitting government through unconstitutional means.

Daily News