Correspondent

Harare Magistrate Bianca Makwande on Wednesday cancelled a warrant of arrest for MDC Alliance legislator Joanna Mamombe.

The warrant was issued on Tuesday after Mamombe failed to turn up for trial as she was admitted to a hospital for an anxiety disorder.

Magistrate Makwande cancelled the warrant following a default inquiry and said she was convinced the legislator was unwell.

Earlier today, State prosecutor Michael Reza told Makwande that he intended to make an application to visit Borrowdale Halfway House in Harare, a medical facility where Mamombe is admitted and have her examined by two Government doctors.

Reza said the State received video evidence from the investigating officer, which suggests that Mamombe is not suffering from an anxiety disorder as she was captured on CCTV shopping in Harare’s city centre on the day she is alleged to have been hospitalised.

Mamombe told the court that she has been in hospital since September 4, 2020, but prosecutors still want her to be examined by Government doctors.

Magistrate Makwande will on September 22 determine whether that examination should proceed.

Mamombe was forcibly removed from the hospital, transferred to court via ambulance having slept under police guard last night.

Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are facing allegations of faking their abduction.

Pindula