Biti Gets Trial Date

The trial of Tendai Biti, who is facing charges of inciting violence and unlawfully declaring opposition party leader Nelson Chamisa as the winner in the Presidential elections, is set to commence on November 12.

Biti who is out on $5 000 bail and will be represented by Ms Beatrice Mtetwa and Messrs Alec Muchadehama, Harrison Nkomo, Gift Mtisi and Denford Halimani. Biti, through Mr Muchadehama, had placed the State on notice for removal of remand if he had not been provided with a trial date yesterday after his unsuccessful application for the release of his passport. Biti wanted his passport attend counselling sessions for post-traumatic disorder in South Africa and a conference organised by the Pan-African Lawyers’ Union in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, MDC-Alliance activist Paddington Japajapa, who was arrested for inciting party supporters to embark on an illegal demonstration in Harare soon after the July 30 harmonised elections, is set to commence on October 30. Japajapa appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa and is out on $100 bail.