Marry Mubaiwa’s bail application judgment reserved

Staff Writer

THE High Court of Zimbabwe Tuesday reserved judgment in the bail application hearing of Marry Mubaiwa’s bail application who is facing charges of attempted murder, externalisation of foreign currency, money laundering and fraud.

Early this month, Mubaiwa, through her lawyers had challenged a Harare magistrate Chrispen Mberewere’s decision to deny her bail.

She said the State will have no problems in extraditing her from South Africa in the event that she crosses the border into South Africa, since her properties were already known and identified.

She also argued that she was not a flight risk, who could be detected by anyone in the event that she decides to leave the court’s jurisdiction.  She added that the State has no reason to deny her liberty, as the offences it alleges were committed through her companies, where she is only a director.

Her father, Keni Mubaiwa, even volunteered to deposit title deeds to his properties at No.102 Seke Road as part of security and part of bail condition.

The state is, however, opposed to the applicant being granted bail saying she is likely to abscond and not stand trial.  The State also said the release of Mubaiwa on bail was likely to undermine or jeopadise the objectives of proper functioning of the criminal justice system.

Justice Kwenda said the state is going to look at the submissions by both the State and the defence before coming up with the decision.