dyton mupawaenda
Zvikomborero Parafini
HARARE regional magistrate, Marewanazvo Gofa, has dismissed a bail bid filed by the trio believed to be the masterminds of the illegal issuance of Zimbabwean passports to Cameroonians, ruling that their actions could lead to human trafficking and terrorism.
Tapiwanashe Hove, Sean Takunda Makuku and Leona Patience Fungai initially appeared in court on October 10.
Magistrate Gofa ruled that while bail is a fundamental right, releasing the trio would not be in the interests of justice as it has been proven that they are not suitable candidates for bail.
“According to the law, any person who is arrested must be released unconditionally pending trial unless there are compelling reasons warranting their pre-trial detention.
“Compelling reasons are defined as reasons that are forceful in nature that may prompt the court to deny bail, bail mustn’t be denied on flimsy grounds
“Fungai was arrested in a toilet evading arrest and they should be treated the same way as their accomplices who have all been denied bail.
“The State case is very strong against the trio as it is not in dispute that the passports were issued through the printing company and not the Registrar’s Office, which is the normal procedure.
“It’s plausible to treat them the same as the others who have been arrested in this case, the law should be imposed similarly as there’s a likelihood that these allegations promote human trafficking and terrorism,” she said.
Hove is employed by the Registrar General’s office as a processing agent at the passport office and Makuku is employed by Garsu Pasaulis Zimbabwe as a Quality Production Officer.
The company is sub-contracted by the Registrar’s Office to print passports.
The Cameronians were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post, by Zimbabwean authorities, on their way to South Africa.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter