Four suspected Epworth protestors were on Friday released by a Harare magistrate after being detained for more than 48 hours. The four were arrested during last week’s violent protests which rocked the country.
Magistrate Matare ruled that the police had contravened provisions of the constitution which compel them to take suspects to the court within 48 hours of arrest. He ruled:
Every citizen has equal protection of the law and over detention is not allowed. There were various means the police and the State could have used to avoid over detention. They should have brought the accused person on Form 242 than waiting for a full docket, but they did not. I grant that the accused persons be released forthwith.
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