Linda Masarira trial postponed as lawyers approach the High Court over the activist’s prolonged stay in prison

September 21, 2016

Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

The trial of Linda Masarira and 10 others who were arrested over #SHUTDOWNZIM2016 on 6 July 2016 has been postponed to Tuesday 27 September 2016.

The 11 are represented by ZLHR members Kudzayi Kadzere and Obey Shava. Their trial had been set to continue for three consecutive days from 21 – 23 September 2016. On 21 September the trial was postponed after Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) failed to bring Linda to court on time.

Linda has been has been languishing in custody ever since her arrest on 6 July 2016, whilst the other 10 were granted bail.

ZLHR senior member, Andrew Makoni has since filed an urgent application to compel authorities to produce Linda at the High Court. In this application, Makoni is challenging the continued incarceration of Linda, who was supposed to appear before a Mutare magistrate for a default inquiry for a pending case, failure of which led to her denial of bail. The application cites violations of several provisions of section 50 of the Constitution.

The trial of the 11 who are denying the charges laid against them began on the 25th of August 2016.

Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

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