Gwisai, 6 others want bail conditions relaxed

treason, have approached the High Court seeking relaxation of their bail conditions.
The six – Gwisai, Antoneta Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto – want the High Court to cancel their reporting conditions and to release their passports.
They are reporting to the police three times every week.
Harare lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama of Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni filed the bail application last week and the State requested time to prepare for the case.
The application has been set down for today in the bail court.
Mr Muchadehama argues that for the past three months, the six had been reporting thrice a week to the police and this was now a burden.
He argues that 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 offence 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.