STATE DELAYS COURT PAPERS, TIMBA AND 78 OTHERS STUCK IN DETENTION

The state has failed to submit its court papers in time in response to an application for discharge by veteran opposition leader Jameson Timba and 77 others. This delay is likely to cause the case to be postponed again. If this happens, it means that the accused will have to stay in detention for even longer. Jameson Timba’s son, Ndapuwa Shaun, has also filed his own separate application for discharge. Both of these applications were made right after the state finished presenting its case. The court was expected to make a ruling today, but the state’s failure to file its papers on time could lead to further delays.

Defence lawyers submitted their application for discharge early on Monday morning. This happened just after the state closed its case. The court then gave orders to the prosecutors, Lance Mutsokoti and Sheila Mupindu, to submit their response by Wednesday at 11 am. This would have given the court enough time to deliver its ruling today at 2:15 pm. However, the state did not meet the deadline. In fact, the state only managed to submit its response today, much later than expected. As a result, the defence will have to respond orally to the state’s late submission.

Jameson Timba and 78 others were arrested on June 16 at his home on Downie Avenue in Avondale, Harare. They were accused of holding an illegal gathering with the intent to promote violence. This happened just before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit that was held in Harare. The charges are serious, and many are worried about how the case is progressing. The delay in court proceedings is raising concerns, as it seems the accused are being kept in detention for longer than necessary.

The delay by the state is being seen by some as an attempt to drag out the case, which would keep the accused in detention for a longer time. This tactic has been criticized by many people, as it seems to go against the basic principles of justice and fairness. The accused have already spent a long time in detention, and any further delays will only make things worse for them.

There is also concern that the state’s delay may be part of a bigger strategy to weaken the opposition. Jameson Timba is a well-known figure in Zimbabwean politics, and his detention, along with that of 78 others, has drawn a lot of attention. Many people are watching this case closely, and any further delays could have serious consequences for the state of justice in the country.

The court is now in a difficult situation. On one hand, it must make sure that justice is served fairly and promptly. On the other hand, it also has to deal with the fact that the state has failed to meet its deadlines. This could result in the ruling being postponed, which would keep the accused in detention for a longer time. The defence will respond orally to the state’s late submission, but it is not clear what the outcome will be.

The court’s ruling, which is expected later today, could either bring an end to this long case or drag it on even further. As it stands, the delay by the state has already caused a lot of frustration and uncertainty. The accused, their families, and their supporters are all waiting anxiously for the court’s decision. The outcome of this case could have a big impact on the future of politics in Zimbabwe and on the justice system.

In the meantime, Jameson Timba and the 78 others remain in detention, waiting for the court’s ruling. The state’s failure to submit its papers on time has made an already complicated case even more difficult. What happens in the next few hours will be very important in deciding what comes next for all involved.