Kudzayi happy with freedom Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi (right) leaves the Harare Magistrates Courts in the company of his lawyer Mr Everson Chatambudza yesterday after being granted bail on Thursday. — (Picture by Ruvimbo Chakanyuka)
Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi (right) leaves the Harare Magistrates Courts in the company of his lawyer Mr Everson Chatambudza yesterday after being granted bail on Thursday. — (Picture by Ruvimbo Chakanyuka)

Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi (right) leaves the Harare Magistrates Courts in the company of his lawyer Mr Everson Chatambudza yesterday after being granted bail on Thursday. — (Picture by Ruvimbo Chakanyuka)

Tendai Rupapa and Daniel Nemukuyu
Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi, accused of attempting to subvert a constitutionally-elected Government and undermining the authority of the President, was in a jovial mood yesterday after being released from remand prison.
He had been in remand prison for the past two weeks and was supposed to have been released on Thursday, but a mix up on his warrants of liberation saw him spending another night in prison.

Edmund’s release came as his brother Phillip, who is facing similar charges was granted US$5 000 bail by the High Court yesterday.

Edmund told journalists while walking out of the Harare magistrates’ court and being led by his lawyer Mr Everson Chatambudza of Rubaya and Chatambudza legal practitioners that he was happy to taste freedom.

“Freedom is a beautiful thing, I am feeling okay and ready to fight,” he said, before being whisked into his lawyer’s car.

Both Edmund (28) and Phillip (29) are suspected to be administrators of the Baba Jukwa Facebook account.

Edmund was granted US$5 200 bail coupled with stringent conditions by the High Court on Thursday. He faces an alternative charge of attempting to commit an act of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism and another charge of keeping ammunition in an unsecured place.

Justice Musakwa ordered the release of Edmund with the consent of the National Prosecuting Authority.

He ordered him to surrender the password to the Baba Jukwa e-mail address [email protected] to the investigating officer Detective Assistant Commissioner Crispen Makedenge.

Edmund would be confined within a 40-kilometre radius of the Harare Main Post Office and whenever he wishes to travel beyond that, he has to seek permission from the court.

Justice Musakwa ordered Edmund to surrender his travel documents to the clerk of court and to report twice daily at Harare Central Police Station.

He should surrender title deeds to his parents’ property in Hillside, Harare. Edmund was warned against interfering with witnesses and evidence while out on bail.

Phillip was also granted bail yesterday by Justice Musakwa with the consent of the National Prosecuting Authority.

He was ordered to surrender to Snr Asst Comm Makedenge a password to an email account called [email protected].

Phillip was ordered to surrender to the clerk of court title deeds to a Bluffhill property as security.

Like his brother, Phillip was ordered to report to the police twice daily and to stay within the radius of 40km from the Harare Main Post Office until finalisation of his case.

He should surrender his passport and was warned against interfering with witnesses, investigations and evidence. In the State’s response to Phillip’s bail application, it was argued that the prosecution had a strong case against Phillip but his right to liberty had to be observed.

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