Ex-CCC MP Prince Dubeko-Sibanda granted US$300 bail
By Staff Reporter
Prominent opposition politician and ex-legislator Prince Dubeko-Sibanda has been granted US$300 bail by the High Court.
High Court judge Benjamin Chikowero upheld the former Binga North MP’s appeal against bail denial by the magistrates’ court.
He concurred with the defence that Dubeko-Sibanda was not a flight risk, as was claimed by prosecutors.
The politician was arrested nearly three weeks ago at the Beitbridge Border Post accused of violence incitement.
His lawyer Alec Muchadehama confirmed his client has been granted bail.
“Prince had been denied bail by the magistrates’ court holding that he was a flight risk because the state had submitted that he was caught on his way to South Africa absconding,” Muchadehama said.
“So, we appealed to the High Court saying that the magistrate had misdirected herself in denying the appellant bail.
“So, today the High Court agreed with us that the accused was not a flight risk … so, the court upheld the appeal and granted Sibanda bail in the sum of US$300.”
Dubeko-Sibanda was arrested for allegedly inciting anti-government protests during the SADC Summit which was hosted by Zimbabwe last month.
Prosecutors allege the offence was committed between August 1 and 16, 2024.
Sibanda is accused of postong on CCC WhatsApp groups and on his X (Twitter) handle inciting opposition members to barricade roads as well as burn shops and tyres.
Chirenje said, “The accused posted that ‘unless SADC creates a platform where the head of states will engage Zimbabweans on the SEOM report and other issues, we will create a platform to meet with them on the streets of Harare. No intimidation will stop us. Let’s shut down Harare in August. Let’s barricade the streets in Harare. Let’s burn tyres and use old cars’.”
Chirenje said some of the messages were captured as screenshots and these will be used against Sibanda.
It is alleged that as a result of his messages, Highglen road in Harare was barricaded and tyres were burnt along the road at Mukonono river bridge, Marimba thereby disrupting the free movement of persons and traffic using that road on 16 August 2024 at around 4:30AM.
Sibanda now awaits trial.
