Zim prosecutors 'not ready' for coup plot trial

Zim prosecutors 'not ready' for coup plot trial

• New wheels for army, police bosses

• 'Coup plotters' have case to answer - court

• Mugabe hails army loyalty

• Chiwengwa's wife threatens to sue for US$1 billion

• Tsvangirai flees Chiwenga's wife, journalist attacked

• CIO launched raid on Mnangagwa's office

• Judge makes U-turn on open trial

• Zimbabwe 'coup plotters' back in court

• Judge orders coup plot trial in open court

• Zim 'coup plotters' charged with treason

• Zimbabwe soldiers could starve in weeks, MPs told

• Air Force commander 'poisoned'

• Mugabe's guards in open rebellion

• US government sponsored Zim army

• Army blows US$1,3 million on new vehicles

• 40 'possessed students' withdrawn after Shiri visit

• Herald makes apology over Shiri story

• Zimbabwe splashes on new Chinese K-8 jets

• Mugabe says army will 'pull trigger' on opponents

A ZIMBABWEAN court on Monday postponed hearing a case against six men accused of trying to topple President Robert Mugabe after the prosecution said it was not ready.

"The accused persons are warned to attend court on October 29," magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini said at a hearing in Harare.

The men's lawyer, Charles Warara, told the court he would apply at the next court date for refusal of further remand for his clients, who have been in detention since their arrest in June on coup-plot charges.

"I ask the Attorney General's representative that they be present when I make the application," Warara said.

The six men, including a retired soldier, Alfred Matapo, were arrested in June over an alleged attempt to topple 83-year-old Mugabe and replace him with Rural Housing Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa is among those seen as Mugabe's possible successors.

The prosecution said Matapo conspired with the other suspects and recruited various members of the security forces in preparation for the alleged coup.

Matapo allegedly planned to incite soldiers to take over the government and later declare himself interim ruler before installing Mnangagwa as president.

They have denied the charges through their lawyers, saying they were discussing the formation of a new political party when security agents barged into their meeting in the capital and arrested them.

In June, a high court judge denied the suspects bail, saying there were fears they could flee. -- AFP

JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
editor@newzimbabwe.com