The High Court trial of the 31 MDC-T activists accused of murdering a police officer, Petros Mutedza, in May 2011 resumed at the Magistrates’ Court yesterday with journalists being barred from covering the proceedings by Chief Superintendent Charles Ngirishi acting on instructions from the Attorney-General (AG)’s Office.
Report by Charles Laiton
Ngirishi ordered journalists who were seated in court just before the proceedings started to go out, saying the proceedings were being held in camera.
Asked by journalists if there was a court order barring the covering of the story, Ngirishi said: “I have an instruction from the AG’s Office and this case is not being covered by any journalist. That’s an order.”
The AG’s representative, Edmore Nyazamba, also confirmed the arrangement.
“The proceedings are in camera and you cannot be allowed to cover the story,” he said.
The trial was last held in November last year with Justice Chinembiri Bhunu granting bail to 21 activists while denying Last Maengahama, Tungamirai Madzokere, Rebecca Mafukeni, Yvonne Musarurwa and Simon Mapanzure bail after considering them unsuitable candidates.
Justice Bhunu also granted an application by the State to allow a “vulnerable witness”, Ednah Chihota, to give evidence “in camera”. Journalists had turned out in large numbers yesterday for the trial at the Magistrates’ Court since the High Court does not have Victim Friendly Court facilities.
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The trial continues today.
