Four men, including jailed Zimbabwe People’s Front president Owen Kuchata, suspected of plotting to bomb the First Family’s dairy farm in Mazowe yesterday refused further remand following the State’s failure to indict them for trial at the High Court. In their application for refusal of further remand the quartet said State was trampling on their constitutional right to a fair and public trial.
Their lawyer Mrs Gamuchirai Dzitiro said,
Section 69 of the Constitution guarantees a right to a fair trial within a reasonable time. The administrative conduct of State should be prompt and efficient. On August 18 State undertook to indict the accused during the third term of the High Court. Now they are indicating that the accused will be indicted next year during the first term of the High Court. Clearly, State has failed to indict the accused. We apply that the court remove them on remand and State will proceed when they are ready.
Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa said he would respond to the application tomorrow. Harare magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande will make a ruling on October 31.
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