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NewsDay

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Mugabe nude pictures bail ruling on Tuesday

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Beitbridge magistrate Auxilia Chiumburu is next Tuesday expected to rule on a bail application for a South Africa-based Zimbabwean man arrested three months ago for possession of computer-generated caricature pictures showing a nude President Robert Mugabe. Benias Gwenhamo Madhakasi has been languishing in remand prison since his arrest at the border post after the State […]

Beitbridge magistrate Auxilia Chiumburu is next Tuesday expected to rule on a bail application for a South Africa-based Zimbabwean man arrested three months ago for possession of computer-generated caricature pictures showing a nude President Robert Mugabe.

Benias Gwenhamo Madhakasi has been languishing in remand prison since his arrest at the border post after the State appealed an earlier bail ruling by the same magistrate arguing the suspect was a flight risk. Earlier on, Chiumburu had granted Madhakasi $200 bail, but the State invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, effectively quashing the bail order before State counsel Angeline Munyeriwa filed a High Court appeal.

High Court judge Justice Lawrence Kamocha then upheld the State application, prompting Madhakasis lawyer Lizwe Jamela to launch a fresh application.

Madhakasi was arrested at the border post in April and charged with insulting Mugabe after he was allegedly found in possession of the offensive pictures.

The message on the alleged offensive images read: Happy 87th birthday (Operation Matibiri) Robert Mugabe turning 87 years on 21 February 2011.

Madhakasi is also facing charges of contravening Section 4 (5) (a) of the Protected Places/Areas for allegedly surveying or making sketches or taking photographs on protected premises.