HARARE - The wives of 24 members of the Madzibaba Ishamea Mufani’s Johanne Masowe Church, whose husbands were granted $100 bail at the High Court yesterday, have appealed for financial help to secure their release.
Spouses of the freed men are appealing to the public to help them with a total of $2 400 to pay bail for their husbands.
The women yesterday failed to raise the $100 required for each accused person.
Their husbands’ lawyer Obey Shava had earlier suggested that his clients be released on a $10 bail each but High Court judge Esther Muremba rejected that and insisted on $100 bail for each accused person.
Shava yesterday told the Daily News that the women have failed to raise the money and were now desperately appealing for help.
The men are facing charges of assaulting police officers and journalists in Budiriro,
Justice Muremba yesterday ordered the 24 to pay the cash to the clerk of court at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
As part of their bail conditions, they were instructed to reside at their given addresses and to report every Monday at Harare Central Police Station.
The State represented by Douglas Chesa did not oppose bail.
In granting bail, Muremba said the applicant had found favour since the State was consenting to bail.
“There was no evidence that the applicants will not comply with bail conditions if granted bail,” Muremba said.
“No evidence was placed on record to show that the appellants would endanger the public if released and there is no possibility that the release of the appellants will cause public outcry. It is therefore not correct for the magistrate to deny bail and it is because of the above that the bail is granted.”
The accused, through their lawyer Shava, had argued that Harare magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe erred when he ruled that their release on bail would cause public outcry.
“In any event, a court may not deny bail merely because the release of the appellants will cause public outcry,” reads their High Court appeal.
“The learned magistrate also failed to take into account relevant considerations. The appellant were all of fixed aboard. The State did not entertain any fears that the release of the appellants would prejudice justice, or endanger public safety.
“The State did not hesitate to consent to their release on bail. These were important considerations the court should have considered given that bail is an entitlement unless there are compelling reasons justifying the appellants’ continued detention, and there were none.”
The 24 are Emmanuel Sigauke, 37, Laston Marandure, 23, John Murahwa, 36, Taurayi Supiya, 36, Shadreck Mashonganyika, 25, Robert Paradzayi, 35, Tafa Chakwara, 36, Kudzanai Tichaona Kusekwa, 31, Cabson Chandaona, 43, Alton Makando, 31, Ashton Chinhoyi, 31, Abisha Mutandwa, 30, Brian Machingura, 18, Nathan Muparadzi, 39, Takavengwa Gwenzi, 46, Tichafa Madyegure, 41, Munaro Singadi, 42, Ziwanayi Nyatikonde, 30, Johannes Makumbe, 39, Paul Mupikata, 32, Simango Mharadza, 45, Tachiva Munemo, 37, Regis Bute, 31, and Clephas Muwona.
They are charged together with Milton Murinda, Dennis Banda and John Mutasa, who are also in custody, over the same charges.
Allegations against the accused persons arose on May 30 when an entourage led by Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) president Archbishop Johannes Ndanga, that included police officers and journalists, was beaten up by the sect members.
This was after Ndanga had read out a letter banning the church on allegations of abusing women and children. The congregants challenged the ACCZ leader to read his speech in Shona, claiming they were not familiar with English.