Zimpapers Logo

Court Reporter

HARARE regional magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe yesterday freed MDC-Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere on $10 000.

Mr Utahwashe also ordered the MDC-Alliance spokesperson not to be in contact with Rebecca Musariri, the woman whose child Mahere falsely claimed was beaten to death by a policeman.

Mahere is being charged for publishing, through social media, false reports that a police officer beat to death a nine-month-old child in Harare.

She was remanded to February 23.

In his ruling, Mr Utahwashe noted that Mahere had presented herself to the police and being a lawyer, she knew the consequences she was to face upon being arrested.

He said Mahere was also aware that Job Sikhala and Hopewell Chin’ono had already been arrested on similar charges, which was inconsistent with someone who harboured intentions to abscond trial.

The court also noted that investigations were almost complete with the State having recorded statements from the mother of the nine-year-old baby while police experts were handling other investigations.

Mr Utahwashe said this would leave no room for interfering with investigations.

Prosecutor Mr Charles Muchemwa opposed granting bail to Mahere saying the State had a strong case against her.

He said Mahere admitted to posting the alleged statements making the State’s case stronger against her.