Paul Nyathi

THE High Court Tuesday put on hold the start of the trial of MDC Alliance youth activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova which was set to commence on Wednesday.

The trial could not proceed after the two approached the High Court asking for stay of proceedings pending a determination on their co-accused Joanna Mamombe’s appeal at the High Court.

Mamombe filed for a review of Magistrate Bianca Makwande’s ruling separating her from her party colleagues in the matter.

Makwande had separated the three on the basis that Mamombe was mentally unfit to stand trial.

“We were not happy with the magistrate’s decision. So, we approached the High Court seeking stay of trial for the two. We have obtained the order. At the same time Mamombe applied for a review of the magistrate’s ruling separating her from her co-accused. So, the matter has been postponed to January 22 next year awaiting a determination on the appeal,” lawyer Alec Muchadehama, representing the three, told journalists.

The prosecution is, however, accusing the three of falsifying their arrest, abduction and torture to smear Zimbabwe’s human rights record.