Madzore pleads for house arrest

house arrest as part of his bail conditions pending trial for murder.

Madzore – who has been in remand prison for a month – has also undertaken to surrender the registration book of his personal vehicle as assurance that he will not abscond.
The desperation has also resulted in his brother Mr Paul Madzore, legislator for Glen View, undertaking to offer US$5 000 as surety for his release.
MP Madzore even confirmed by standing up in court when his young brother’s lawyer Mr Gift Mutisi informed the judge about the surety issue.

Justice Mary Zimba-Dube recorded the offers but law officer Mr Edmore Nyazamba, said he will need time to consider the undertakings before making the State’s response to the bail application.
Justice Zimba-Dube rolled over the matter to today to allow Mr Nyazamba to make some considerations.
Mr Nyazamba told the court that yesterday afternoon he will be attending the funeral of law officer Mr Godwin Takawira Nyasha.

As part of the changed circumstances warranting the release of Madzore, Mr Mutisi said investigations were complete and there were no more fears that he will interfere with investigations.
It was also brought to the court’s attention that Madzore was attending public gatherings and the State’s allegations that he was at large before his arrest were unfounded.
Mr Mutisi served the court and the State with video recordings showing Madzore’s attendance at some party gatherings and an affidavit by party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora.

Law officer Mr Nyazamba conceded that the State was not challenging the attendance of the politician at gatherings at the time the police claimed they were hunting for him.
Mr Mutisi also argued that while Madzore was in remand prison, he got an offer to complete his degree programme at the University of Zimbabwe, an opportunity that he should not miss.

The court heard that Madzore deferred his studies on two occasions and that the offer was a final opportunity to complete his programme since he was now in the final year.
Last week, Madzore’s wife burst into tears after the postponement of the bail hearing resulting in Mr Mwonzora and Mr Mutisi comforting her and explaining to her some legal reasons for that day’s postponement of the case.

Madzore and 24 others are being accused of murdering Inspector Petros Mutedza in May in Glen View while he was executing his duties as a police officer.

The majority of the suspects were released on bail except Madzore and six others.
Madzore opted to make his own bail application on the grounds that he had some changed circumstances applying only to him.