Ziyambi says ‘hearing it for the first time’ that suspects bribe court officials
As Minister defends granting of bail to murder suspects
By Auther Chimbgwa
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi Wednesday appeared to be defending and whitewashing common collusion among corrupt court officials in the granting of bail to murder suspects.
Ziyambi was responding to Zanu PF Shamva North Member of Parliament Isaac Chinodakufa who said “a lot of people are being murdered” in his area with alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime being granted bail.
“A person can get three or four bails,” he said, adding that the freeing of suspects could be more influenced by possible collusion between the suspects and court officials.
“What is the government policy in making sure that we remove the corruption between the perpetrator, the magistrate and the prosecutor?” Chinodakufa said.
“There is corruption between the prosecutors, the magistrate as well as the criminals or suspects. I am hearing this for the first time that there is corruption between the police, the accused, the prosecutors as well as the magistrate.
“What I know is that if somebody is arrested, without considering the crime, you go and appear in court. You apply for bail.
“That does not mean that you are not guilty but it is just your right for you to appear in court while you are out of custody on bail. If the court determines that you can be going to court on bail, it is their decision.
“However, if the court deems it unfit because of the presentations made, the reasons given, be it that maybe this person can be killed by people if he goes out of custody, the accused is a flight risk, then they determine that.”
Ziyambi said “bail does not mean that you have been acquitted.”
“It only says you go to court from your home but once the judgment is made, then you are imprisoned.”
He added, “…that is protected by the Constitution that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty and may be granted bail.”
