HARARE – MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere was freed on Z$10,000 bail on Monday, 7 days after she was detained accused of publishing a false story.
Harare magistrate Trynos Utahwashe said the National Prosecuting Authority failed to prove that Mahere, a lawyer, is likely to re-offend, and that she faces serious charges.
Utahwashe also said no grounds were given by the state to justify their fears that she will abscond if granted bail.
Mahere was arrested last week for posting that police had killed an infant while enforcing lockdown rules. Police later said the information was false and the baby is alive.
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and MDC Alliance Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala were also detained on similar charges. They face a fine or up to 20 years in jail if convicted of publishing a false story prejudicial to the state.
Said Utahwashe: “The tweets are not disputed by the accused. The state merely copied the tweets as they were posted by the accused. Repeating those tweets does not amount to overwhelming evidence.
“The state is overblowing the submission that she is likely to abscond because of the seriousness of the offence. She is a lawyer and handed herself over to the police well aware of the possible penalty.”
As part of her bail conditions, Mahere was ordered not to interfere with the mother of the child, Rebecca Musariri; to continue residing at her given address and to report at Avondale Police Station once every week.
