7 vendors accused of assaulting a municipal officer in Harare two months ago, were yesterday released on $100 bail each after the State failed to provide evidence linking the suspects to a car that is alleged to have provided stones used in the attack.
Magistrate Elijah Makomo remanded the seven — Bullet Kaitano, Nyasha Muchina, Innocent Murambiwa, James Mudheredhe, Petros Kayesa, Edward Mamhunze and Fungai Masiyiwa out of custody to November 11.
The magistrate tore into the State, saying its papers did not show whether municipal police officers had not used a dragnet in arresting vendors.
“I have not seen an iota of link between the said car and the accused,” Makomo said.
He further said the case was not watertight and granted the seven vendors bail pending trial.
The State alleges on August 12 this year and along First Street in Harare, the vendors became violent and threw stones at municipal officers injuring one of them. The suspects were arrested the following day with the help of witnesses.
Prosecutor Sharon Mashavira had opposed bail, arguing the offence was of a serious nature adding the suspects were a flight risk.
Mashavira said the suspects had the potential to interfere with witnesses and that their addresses were yet to be verified.
