By Revesai Mavetera
Magistrate Learnmore Mapiye has refused to grant bail to four University of Zimbabwe students who were held at Harare Remand Prison. The magistrate argued that the state has a strong case against the students and expressed concerns that they may interfere with the proper administration of justice. As a result, Benjamin Watadza, Emmanuel Chitima, Comfort Mpofu, and Lionel Madamombe, all members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), will remain in custody until their next hearing on the 21st of June. The charges they face stem from a protest on the 15th of May against the continued detention of Job Sikhala and Jacob Ngarivhume.
Darlington Chigwena, the fifth student involved in the case, was arrested separately and is being dealt with under a different legal process.
The denial of bail has raised concerns among various organizations and individuals who argue that it infringes upon the students’ constitutional rights. Lawyer Darlington Marange, representing the students, stated his intention to lodge an appeal against the bail refusal at the High Court.
The denial of bail has also raised questions about the students’ academic future. As they were scheduled to write exams this week, their inability to secure bail or gain access to examination facilities in remand prison may prevent them from taking their exams.
Responding to the bail denial, Fadzayi Mahere, spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and a seasoned lawyer, deemed the decision unconstitutional. She said bail is a constitutional entitlement and criticized the government for denying it to the ZINASU 5. Mahere asserted that the students are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and viewed the government’s response as an attempt to suppress demands for better conditions from the student community. She further expressed concern that the government’s actions were diminishing Zimbabwe’s standing as a bastion of democracy.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitoring Platform joined the chorus of criticism, condemning the denial of bail and urging authorities to ensure a fair trial for the students. Their statement emphasized that the denial of bail had broader implications for human rights in the country.
ZINASU, the umbrella students union, also voiced its concern over the denial of bail via social media, urging authorities to guarantee a fair trial for the students. Meanwhile, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma, a former ZINASU member and CCC Youth Taskforce Committee spokesperson, took to Twitter to express his disappointment, characterizing the denial of bail as a manifestation of injustice under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership.
