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The six — Albert Matapo, Patson Mupfure, Shingirayi Mutemachani, Nyasha Zivuku, Oncemore Mudzurahona and Emmanuel Marara —were arrested in 2007 on allegations of plotting a coup to oust President Mugabe and replace him with Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.
While in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, it is alleged, the six conspired to escape.

Harare magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga on Monday deferred ruling on the six’s application for discharge to Friday last week.
On Friday, ruling was further deferred after the magistrate indicated he was not yet ready.
Defence lawyer Mr Charles Warara launched the application after prosecutor Mr Edmore Nyazamba closed the State’s case.

Efforts by Mr Nyazamba to have the trial deferred for a month to allow a witness that he felt was important for the State’s case to come back from South Africa to testify failed after the High Court dismissed the urgent chamber application.

In the application, Mr Warara submitted that the State’s case was very weak and that the six should be acquitted.
Mr Warara said the evidence led in court did not disclose any offence hence his clients should be cleared.

But Mr Nyazamba strongly opposed the application.
He argued that there was a strong case against the six and urged the court to place the six on their defence.
It was the State’s submission that the application should be thrown out and a full trial be conducted.
The six’s treason case was last year indefinitely shelved to allow the Supreme Court to determine an appeal.-Chronicle