Wednesday, 29 January 2014

High court finally granted bail to the Glenview 3

Today 29 January 2014, marks the end of a three year incarceration of Last Tamai Maengahama, Yvonne Musarurwa and Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere. Justice Chinembiri Bhunu has eventually done what he has supposed to have done in 2011. The three were granted bail this morning at the High court of Zimbabwe.

In a statement we issued yesterday, the Youth Assembly clearly demanded the unconditional and immediate release and end of the 3 year trial of the falsely accused Glenview 7. The right to bail is neither a privilege nor any person’s mercy but it is a constitutional right.

Bhunu has just seen what every Zimbabwean has been calling for since May 2011. The supreme law of the land clearly confer innocence to any accused person until proven otherwise by a competent court of law.

The Glenview 29 were meant to serve even before commencement of their defence. This is a blatant violation of human rights that are enshrined in the new charter.

This case has sparked some pertinent questions that must be answered:

a)      How does the state going to compensate for the loss of life of Rebecca Mafukeni?  She had to escape the confines of prison through death.

b)      How about the families of the accused? How are they feeling? They might be happy today, but what about the three years of illegal detention of their beloved ones?

c)       How the state is going to compensate for the loss of livelihoods? They are all breadwinners.

d)       Elections were held on 31st of July 2013. The constitution of Zimbabwe clearly bestows the right to vote as a fundamental human right to every citizen. The three failed to vote last year. How the state is going to do to award these three the opportunity to exercise their right.  

e)      In light of the aforementioned violations, never mind for a speed trail, we will continue to ask whether the accused persons under these circumstances going to receive fair trial.  

Justice delayed is justice denied. They must be freed now. The state is failing to provide reasonable evidence that justifies that the accused persons have killed or even near where police officer, the late Inspector Petros Mutedza was attacked by patrons at a popular pub in Glenview 3 in 2011.

The family, friends and party members are going to welcome the three tonight at Chikurubi maximum prison gate.

The Assembly wish the three a fast recovery.

MDC Youth Assembly Information Department


Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

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