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Coup plot accused denied bail
22/06/2007 21:40 - (SA)
Harare - A judge on Friday threw out a bail bid by six Zimbabweans facing charges of plotting to overthrow veteran President Robert Mugabe saying they were fears they could flee, their lawyer said.
"The judge said they will not be granted bail because there is a danger that they might abscond," lawyer Charles Warara told AFP after the bail hearing held behind closed doors.
"He also said the decision was arrived at to allow the police to make further investigations, since they said (Albert) Matapo has connections outside the country."
The six men, including retired army officer Matapo, have been accused of fomenting a push to topple Mugabe and, according to a copy of the charge sheet seen by AFP, replace him with Rural Housing Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa is seen as one of 83-year-old Mugabe's possible successors.
The prosecution said Matapo conspired with his co-accused 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.
Samkange said his clients were not planning a coup when they were arrested during a meeting in the capital.
He said the meeting was to discuss the formation of a new political party.
The judge had earlier agreed that the hearing be held behind closed doors after the prosecution had argued for a ban on press coverage in order "to protect certain names which have been mentioned in the case".
Another defence lawyer, Jonathan Samkange, unsuccessfully argued that it was in the public interest to hold the case in an open court.
"There are names which have been mentioned maliciously and perhaps with evil intent, names like Mnangagwa," Samkange said.
- AFP
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