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NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Africom bosses seek refusal of remand

News
Africom Holdings and Global Satellite Systems executives accused of spying for the United States, Canada and Afghanistan are today expected to apply for refusal of remand at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts. Simba Mangwende, Farai Rwodzi and Oliver Chiku — arrested last month on the espionage charges — were back at the courts yesterday. But the […]

Africom Holdings and Global Satellite Systems executives accused of spying for the United States, Canada and Afghanistan are today expected to apply for refusal of remand at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts.

Simba Mangwende, Farai Rwodzi and Oliver Chiku — arrested last month on the espionage charges — were back at the courts yesterday. But the matter was remanded in provincial magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi’s, chambers to today and no reasons were given for the postponement.

The matter had been briefly called out in Court 6 when it sat at 8:30am.

The three men — clad in designer suits — were in the company of their lawyers, but the application could not proceed as both parties agreed to roll over the matter to today.

When Mangwende, Rwodzi and Chiku were released on bail two weeks ago, the magistrate hinted that the State was likely to face a daunting task in proving a case against them.

This was after the State failed to produce evidence, in its bail opposition, to prove the existence of hostilities between Zimbabwe and the countries allegedly sent confidential information.

The businessmen are being charged with espionage and contravening Section 33 (i) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act, which makes it an offence for one to illegally possess, control or work a radio station.

They reportedly set up a satellite system through a Canadian company called Juch Tech and sent messages to US, Canada and Afghanistan.

But defence lawyers challenged the State to prove there was a Presidential proclamation designating the countries as enemies of Zimbabwe.