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socialist and trade union activists accused of plotting to violently overthrow the Government.
Gwisai, a former legislator for Highfield, Antoneta Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto had their reporting conditions reduced from three times a week to once every week.
Justice Samuel Uchena, however, threw out an application for the release of the six’s passports.
The court ruled that whenever a genuine need to travel arose, each of the six would still make an application for temporary release of the passports.
Law officer Mr Edmore Nyazamba appeared for the State while Mr Alec Muchadehama of Mbidzo Muchadehama and Makoni represented the six.
Mr Muchadehama argued that for the past three months, the six had been reporting three times a week to the police and this was now a burden.
He said contrary to the State’s fears, none of the six has attempted to leave the country in breach of the bail conditions.
He says the State had indicated it was now considering charging the six with a lesser charge hence the issue of seriousness of the offense falls away.
Mr Muchadehama argues that the State’s case is weak and that nothing would induce the suspects to abscond trial.
The State alleges Gwisai, a co-ordinator of the International Socialist Organisation, called for a meeting at Number 43 Julius Nyerere Way in Harare, where participants were drawn from all over the country.
It is alleged there was a list of speakers and a mission statement for the organisation, which read “ISO calls on workers, students and working people to support the struggle in solidarity with Egyptian and Tunisian workers”.
It is alleged that during the meeting, the speakers took turns to address the gathering allegedly stating that in Zimbabwe, there was a long ruling authoritarian leadership, general hunger, poverty, unemployment and capitalist practices where wealth was enjoyed by a few individuals while the general populace was suffering.
The State alleges the participants were encouraged to revolt against Government but police foiled their plans.
Online Reporter