Abductees court hearing continues

By Violet Gonda
9 June 2009

Defence lawyers representing a group of people accused of plotting to overthrow the Mugabe regime had made an application in the High Court on Monday to refer their case to the Supreme Court, as their human rights had been violated. Lawyer Alex Muchadehama said on Tuesday the Attorney General’s office gave its response to the matter arguing that the defence team’s application was frivolous and a delaying tactic. But then the state said it had not finished responding and the matter will continue on Wednesday.

The accused persons, Concillia Chinanzvavana, Fidelis Chiramba, Violet Mupfuranhewe and Collen Mutemagawu were abducted in October but were only found by their lawyers in prisons on the 22nd December.

They are the first group of individuals, who were abducted from their homes during the months of October and December, to finally stand trial. They want their case to be taken to the Supreme Court to determine several human right violations against them by the State, including wanting the Court to determine whether or not their abduction was lawful and whether or not victims of kidnapping can be lawfully prosecuted.