‘Coup plotters’ have case to answer

‘Coup plotters’ have case to answer – court

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By Lebo Nkatazo

A ZIMBABWEAN court on Monday ruled that seven men being held for treason have a case to answer.

The men had made an application seeking that they be released on grounds that there were no evidence or reasonable suspicion that they had wanted to commit a coup.

The refusal of further remand application was heard in camera and it is not yet clear what the State submitted to the magistrate to convince the court that the accused persons wanted to topple President Robert Mugabe.

“The application was dismissed. The court said they are connected to the case, but we are saying there is no offence committed,” said Charles Warara, a defence lawyer.

The Harare lawyer added that they would be making an appeal to a higher court in due course. The seven men are accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe and replacing him with Rural Housing and Social amenities Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The alleged coup plotters’ ringleader Albert Matapo would have been the Prime Minister in a new government if the plot had succeeded, according to the prosecution team.

Matapo is a retired army captain who fled the UK after being arrested in Birmingham on fraud charges.

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