The state has not submitted its court papers in response to an application for discharge by veteran opposition leader Jameson Timba and 77 others. They were detained after the state closed its case on Monday. The delay by the state is likely to cause the case to be postponed again. This would mean that the accused will remain in detention for a longer period. Jameson Timba’s son, Ndapuwa Shaun, also filed his own application for discharge. Both of these applications were made at the end of the state’s case. The court is expected to make a ruling today, but the state’s failure to file its papers on time could cause further delays.
Defence lawyers had submitted their application for discharge early on Monday morning, just after the state had closed its case. The court then told the prosecutors, Lance Mutsokoti and Sheila Mupindu, to submit their response by Wednesday at 11 am. This would have given the court time to make a ruling today at 2:15 pm. However, the state missed the deadline and only submitted its response today, which was much later than expected. Because of this delay, the defence will now have to respond orally.
The situation is tense because Jameson Timba, a well-known opposition leader, and 78 others were arrested at his home on Downie Avenue in Avondale, Harare, on June 16. They were accused of holding an illegal gathering aimed at promoting violence. This happened just before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Harare. These are serious charges, and the delay in the court process is raising concerns.
Many people believe that the state is trying to drag out the case to keep the accused in detention for longer. This has been criticized by many as being against the principles of justice and fairness. The accused have already spent a long time in detention, and any more delays will only add to their suffering.
Some also believe that the state’s delay is part of a bigger plan to weaken the opposition. Jameson Timba is a key figure in Zimbabwean politics, and his detention, along with 78 others, has attracted a lot of attention. The case is being watched closely by many, and further delays could have serious effects on the justice system in Zimbabwe.
The court is now in a difficult situation. It needs to make sure that justice is done, but it also has to deal with the fact that the state has missed its deadlines. This could lead to a postponement of the ruling, which would mean that the accused will stay in detention even longer.
The defence is now expected to respond orally to the state’s late submission, but it is unclear what will happen next. The court’s ruling, which is expected later today, could either bring this long process to an end or extend it even further. Right now, the state’s delay has already caused a lot of frustration and uncertainty. The accused, their families, and their supporters are all waiting for the court’s decision. This case could have a big impact on Zimbabwean politics and the justice system in the country.
For now, Jameson Timba and the 78 others remain in detention, waiting for the court’s decision. The state’s failure to submit its papers on time has made an already complex and emotional case even more difficult. The next few hours will be very important in deciding what happens next.
As things stand, the delay in the state’s response has made the situation even more tense and uncertain. Everyone involved is waiting for the court to give its ruling, and it is not yet clear how much longer this case will continue. The outcome of this case will be very important for Zimbabwe’s politics and for how justice is seen in the country.