MP Mike Gava granted bail

nyundoChinhoyi Bureau
Mhondoro-Ngezi National Assembly member Mike Gava who is facing five counts of contravening the Firearms Act by firing a shot in public and kidnapping Thandeka Chitombo has been released on bail.Gava was granted US$2 000 bail by Kadoma magistrate Mr Farai Gwitima after the State rescinded its earlier position to invoke section 121(a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

The Act automatically sets aside the magistrate’s decision for seven days to allow the State to appeal against the court’s decision at the High Court.

Mr Gwitima granted bail to Gava who was being represented by lawyer Mr Douglas Chikwangwani of Jarvis Palframan Legal Practitioners in absentia saying there were no grounds to deny him bail.

Gava was not present at court as there was reportedly no transport to bring him from remand prison.

However, prosecutor Mr Reginald Chavora felt strongly that Gava was an influential member of society who was likely to interfere with witnesses and invoked the provision.
Mr Chavora argued that the court had no jurisdiction to grant bail as Gava was facing a third schedule offence of aggravated kidnapping involving a firearm.

He further argued that Gava did not have a licence or permit to possess the firearm — a Taurus Revolver pistol serial number 1191523. The order stood until after lunch when the State, this time led by area public prosecutor Mr Charles Muchemwa came back with another application seeking to withdraw its invocation on the grounds that there were no prospects for success in the appeal.

On the first two counts, Gava pointed a firearm at two women patrons and on the third he fired a shot in the Casino room.

On the fourth count, Gava allegedly kidnapped Thandeka Chitombo by forcing her into his car at gunpoint and drove her to Mayfair Farm Compound where she later escaped.
He allegedly demanded to be intimate with Chitombo whom he is suspected to have once dated but she refused.

This did not go down well with Gava who allegedly forced her into his car at gunpoint.

She managed to escape along the way and sought refuge from some guards who helped her make a report. Gava (32) was arrested on April 18 after allegedly firing a shot on the walls at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre.

He had earlier pointed a pistol at two female patrons.

The State alleged that Thandeka was already receiving threatening calls and messages on WhatsApp suggesting that she should find ways of having Gava released.

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