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Fidelis Munyoro Assistant News Editor
JAILED afro-jazz crooner Duduzile Tracey Manhenga heaved a sigh of relief yesterday after the High Court granted her bail pending appeal against the 18-month jail term imposed on her for culpable homicide and driving without a licence. Justice Felistus Chatukuta granted Manhenga US$200 bail coupled with stringent conditions after both the defence and State consented to have her released from prison in terms of the order.
She was ordered to surrender her passport to the clerk of court and reside at the given address until the matter is finalised.
She is also required to report once a week at Avondale police station.
Through her lawyer Mr Evans Moyo of Scanlen and Holderness, Manhenga had appealed to the High Court for bail after the trial magistrate denied her the relief she sought.
Although the trial prosecutor had consented to bail pending appeal, the magistrate felt the consent was improper in view of the fact that the same prosecutor had called for a custodial sentence.
But when the appeal was brought before Justice Chatukuta yesterday, Mr Edmore Nyazamba of the Attorney-General’s Office consented to bail.
He stated in his papers that the mere fact that the prosecutor once called for imprisonment was not enough to ignore the merits of the consent to bail.
Manhenga, who had a learner’s driver’s licence but was not under supervision knocked down a motor-cyclist Graham Millward along Sherwood Drive in Mabelreign, Harare.
She failed to give way to Millward as she turned right into a friend’s premises in her Toyota Spacio.
Millward died on admission at the West End Hospital due to severe injuries he sustained following the crash.
Manhenga was convicted of her own plea of guilty to both charges and implored the court to spare her a custodial sentence.
But the trial magistrate, Ms Blessing Murwisi sentenced her to a 24-month jail term.
However, six months of the sentence were set aside for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence.
Online Reporter