Denford Magora's Latest Zimbabwe News Blog

Dr Simba Makoni's trial started in Bindura today with what is known as a preliminary hearing, during which it emerged that the State had no clue what it was doing, quoting sections of POSA (2004 version) that no longer exist, then agreeing with Dr Makoni that he could not be charged under those sections and asking to be allowed to amend the charges so that they could charge him under sections that DO exist. They made a dog's breakfast of that as well!! Harare, Zimbabwe, 15 September 2009 Dr Simba Makoni, the Interim President of Mavambo.Kusile.Dawn Party today appeared before a Magistrate in Bindura to answer charges of addressing more than 400 people in March last year without police permission, as is required under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). It was a circus, pretty much. First of all, the State prosecutors were charging Dr Makoni under the POSA Act of 2004 and specifically quoting section 24, subsection 21.......anyway, without getting too technical, the bottom...

Harare,Zimbabwe,15 August 2009 Dr Simba Makoni appeared before a magistrate in Bindura yesterday for an initial hearing on charges of violating the discredited POSA, which the Inclusive Government claims is no longer in use. The court determined that there was indeed a case for Dr Makoni to answer and that he should face trial. He immediately asked for a postponement of the trial because his lawyers have not received the State's papers in his case. The court granted this and postponed the matter to September 15 (ironically the First anniversary of the moribund Global Political Agreement). The complaint was made by two ZANU PF people in the area of Glendale. One is a ZANU PF Councillor and the other is a member of the ZANU PF executive in the area. The allege that Makoni "sent a team to advertise his presence with a loudhailer" in Glendale and that Makoni later arrived at Tsungubvi Shopping Centre and used the loudhailer to address more than 400 people. Even if he had actu...