Charges against VOP trustees dropped

Charges against the trustees of the Voice of the People radio station were literally dropped when magistrate William Bhila removed them from further remand.

 The prosecution wanted the trustees who included Arnold Tsunga and Isabella Matambanadzo who had travelled from the United States and South Africa, respectively, for the hearing, to be remanded for the fourth time so that it could amend the charges.

Bhila agreed with defence attorney Beatrice Mtetwa that continued delays were a hardship on the defendants.

The trustees were charged with broadcasting without a licence.

VOP broadcast through Radio Netherlands.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 06HARARE1192, VOP UPDATE: COURT DROPS CHARGES

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C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 001192

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AF/S FOR S. HILL

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016

TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI

SUBJECT: VOP UPDATE: COURT DROPS CHARGES

REF: REFTEL: HARARE 112 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher W. Dell under Section 1.4 b/d

¶1. (SBU) At the latest installment of the trial of the Voice

of the People (VOP) trustees for illegally broadcasting

(Reftel for background) on September 25, Magistrate William

Bhila removed the accused from further remand, a move that

essentially drops the charges against the seven defendants.

The state prosecutor asked the court for a fourth delay to

amend the charges to direct the proceedings against the trust

as a legal entity, rather than the individuals. Bhila,

however, agreed with defense attorney Beatrice Mtetwa’s

argument that continued delays were a hardship for the

defendants, including Arnold Tsunga and Isabella

Matambanadzo, who traveled from the U.S. and South Africa,

respectively, to attend the hearing.

——-

Comment

——-

¶2. (C) While the state’s case against the VOP is dead for

now, the prosecutor’s comments suggest that the case may

resurface at a later date but targeted at the organization,

rather than the individuals. The state’s fumbling of the

charges, however, shows that it never had a strong case

against the trustees and was instead using the trial as a

means of harassment. Meanwhile, even if the state brings

charges against the trust, the impact is likely to be minimal

as VOP has already begun to relocate its offices to South

Africa.

DELL

(24 VIEWS)