SUSPENDED Sunday Mail Editor Edmund Kudzayi yesterday became a free man after the State withdrew all charges against him as prosecutors failed to prove he was the infamous Baba Jukwa.
By Tinashe Sibanda
Kudzayi was also facing attempted terrorism, insurgency and banditry charges after he was accused of being behind the Facebook page Baba Jukwa that dished out Zanu PF secrets.
Prosecutor Tawanda Zvekare applied before magistrate Milton Serima to have all the charges against Kudzayi and his brother, Philip, withdrawn before plea.
In his application, Zvekare said the State was still conducting extra-territorial investigations and they had decided to withdraw the charges.
However, Zvekare indicated the case could be resurrected and Kudzayi may be brought back to court by way of summons once evidence is gathered.
Kudzayi’s lawyer Admire Rubaya said he was elated the State had withdrawn the charges against his client.
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“We are grateful to the State for the first time in history that they have made a very reasonable decision,” Rubaya said.
Kudzayi had been denying the allegations and yesterday accused the police of arresting him before carrying out investigations.
“I am delighted this case has finally come to an end,” he said. “It’s unfortunate the police did not carry out investigations before arresting me.
“I hope this will be a lesson to them to arrest after investigating and not arrest to investigate.”
The collapse of the case means that Kudzayi will now collect his $5 000 bail deposit and the title deeds of a property tendered as bail conditions.
Police had laid attempted terrorism, insurgency and banditry charges against the Editor of the State-run newspaper, accusing him of being an anonymous Facebook blogger who claimed to be a mole in President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF.
The Facebook page caused a lot of anxiety within Zanu PF by disclosing what were alleged to be top secret discussions within Cabinet and politburo.
Among other allegations, Baba Jukwa accused Mugabe and Zanu PF of rigging elections.
The character also published cellphone numbers of top government officials asking people to call them.
