Tight security at MDC-T members’ trial

manning the entrance to the High Court, was a measure to prevent violent incidents.
This followed an incident on Monday that left a policeman injured after being attacked by rowdy MDC-T activists.
Lawyers representing the 29 intervened and vowed not to attend the court proceedings if the relatives and friends were barred from entering the courtroom.
A few people were later allowed into the courtroom after several others had already been barred.
Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Mr Alec Muchadehama, Mr Charles Kwaramba, Mr Jeremiah Bhamu and Mr Gift Mutisi rushed to the main entrance to negotiate with the security personnel.
Ms Mtetwa told the security personnel at the entrance that there was no court order barring people from attending the proceedings.
“There is no court order barring people from attending the court proceedings. I do not want to be part of such a kangaroo court.
“How do you know whether one is closely related to all the 29 suspects?
“Is Zimbabwe a police State?” queried Ms Mtetwa.
Ms Mtetwa said the Monday chaos occurred outside the courts and the police should simply maintain peace outside.
“Nobody caused problems inside the court. The problem happened outside,” she said.
Prosecutor Mr Edmore Nyazamba entered the courtroom leaving the defence team arguing with the security officers.
The defence team finally got into the courtroom after more people were now being allowed in.
There was tight security at the High Court with riot police deployed around the premises.
Mr Kwaramba, on behalf of all the members of the defence team, made an application for bail in respect of all the 29 suspects.
He submitted that the earlier bail application was held in abeyance pending the tendering of pleas and defence outlines hence it was now the right time for the court to determine the freedom bid.
Mr Kwaramba said the defence team was still abiding by the submissions emphasising that the 29 were proper candidates for bail.
But Mr Nyazamba opposed the application.
He argued that the filing of the defence outline and the tendering of pleas actually changed the circumstances for the worse.
Mr Nyazamba said the defence failed to adduce evidence to establish special circumstances warranting the granting of bail.
He said the law required the defence to lead evidence to bolster its arguments, which according to Mr Nyazamba, the lawyers failed to do.
Mr Nyazamba said the State’s case was strong and the likely penalty of capital punishment would induce the 29 to abscond trial if granted bail.
Justice Chinembiri Bhunu reserved ruling on the bail application indefinitely while he ruled that the trial will continue today.