7 facing terrorism charges granted bail

Zim Now Writer

The High Court has granted bail to seven residents of Southlea Park who are facing charges of trying to bomb earthmoving equipment in Beatrice.

The seven had spent four months in remand prison.

Trymore Mukachura, 3), Norbert Gunduza, 35, Kudzanai Bhobho, 27, Hardlife Jacob, 40, Victor Mushonga 36, Luckmore Mabika, 26 and Gift Kachimani were granted $20 000 bail each by High Court judge, Justice Webster Chinamhora.

The seven were facing charges of possession of weaponry for insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism as read in section 27 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and were represented by Peter Patisani.

Patisani told Justice Chinamhora that the accused persons never had an intention to commit the offence as stated and that the offence was committed against a private company which was working on a government project.

Justice Chinamhora said the allegations emanated from a dispute over the ownership of land between the complainant, Homelux Land Developers and the accused persons.

The seven argued that the complainant demolished houses belonging to Salisbury South Estates.

Although the State initially opposed bail, it conceded that the company is a private and not a government institution, leading to Justice Chinamhora granting bail.

The facts of the matter are that the accused persons were arrested after they were found in possession of dangerous weapons that include three Molotov cocktail bombs on September 20 this year at Londliands Farm in Beatrice. They reportedly wanted to use the equipment to bomb earthmoving equipment at Salisbury South Estate in Beatrice.