Former Bikita West legislator, Munyaradzi Kereke, who is serving a 10-year jail term for raping a minor, has applied for bail at the High Court citing changed circumstances.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Through his lawyers, Mutandiro, Chetsanga and Associates, Kereke said he had lived in Zimbabwe most of his life and has three wives and 17 children, 10 of whom are minors, who rely on him for sustenance.
His lawyers said Kereke previously succeeded in applying for bail, while the court observed that he had limited chances of success in his matter, but he never absconded.
In the application, the lawyers stated that after the dismissal of the application for bail pending appeal, Kereke’s estranged wife, Elizabeth Sibanda visited him in prison and offered to be surety for his release on bail.
It is indicated that Sibanda offered an immovable property, as surety and to accommodate him until finalisation of his appeal.
Sibanda offered a property in Mandara, two other people, Arnold and Barbarah Chidakwa, also came forward and offered a piece of land situated in Harare as surety for his release.
The lawyers said Sibanda further offered to fund any overhead costs that might incurred in connection with the State implementing any house arrest on Kereke.
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The lawyers proposed that Kereke be granted bail on condition that he deposits $3 000 with the clerk of court at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, that he surrenders title deeds for a Mandara property and for a piece of land offered by the Chidakwa family and that he resides at his given address until finalisation of the appeal.
They also proposed that he reports at Harare Central Police Station every day between 6am and 6pm.
The State is still to respond to Kereke’s application that was filed on Friday.
