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HH03-21 - ROBERT GUMBURA vs THE STATE

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Bail-viz bail pending appeal.
Sentencing-viz rape.
Procedural Law-viz condonation re late noting of application for leave to appeal.
Procedural Law-viz appeal re leave to appeal iro section 44 of the High Court Act.
Procedural Law-viz appeal re leave to appeal iro questions of fact.
Procedural Law-viz appeal re leave to appeal iro questions of law.
Procedural Law-viz final orders re correction of judgments.
Procedural Law-viz appeal re notice of appeal iro Rule 18 of the Supreme Court Rules, SI37/18.
Procedural Law-viz jurisdiction re judicial deference iro assessment of prospects on appeal.
Procedural Law-viz rules of evidence re evidence derived from concurrent litigation.
Procedural Law-viz final orders re composition of the Bench iro the doctrine of stare decisis.
Procedural Law-viz jurisdiction re procedural ousting of jurisdiction.
Procedural Law-viz final orders re procedural irregularities iro discretion of the court to strike a matter from the roll.
Procedural Law-viz jurisdiction re functus officio.
Bail-viz bail pending appeal re section 123 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Sentencing re: Sexual Offences iro Rape


The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. 

The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

Condonation, Extension of Time, Doctrines of Strict and Substantial Compliance and Pleading of Form over Substance


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”

Appeal and Leave to Appeal re: Approach, Notice, Grounds and Right of Appeal, Concession & Withdrawal of Appeal by State


It is...,, a requirement, in terms of section 44(4) of the High Court Act, that a person convicted by an inferior court to the High Court and has appealed to the High Court against conviction or sentence or both, and is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, and wishes to appeal further to the Supreme Court, should first obtain leave of a judge to appeal if the appeal is based on a question of fact or mixed fact and law.

If the appeal is based on a question of law only, no prior leave to appeal is required.

The High Court Act does not provide for the granting of ancillary or consequential orders upon the grant of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Final Orders re: Approach, Variation, Misdirections, Dismissal For Want of Prosecution and Effect of Procedural Irregularities


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”...,.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudicial correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of Rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, S1.137 of 2018 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

Appeal and Leave to Appeal re: Approach, Notice, Grounds and Right of Appeal, Concession & Withdrawal of Appeal by State


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”...,.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudicial correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of Rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, S1.137 of 2018 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

Jurisdiction re: Approach, Assumption of Jurisdiction, Functus Officio and Judicial Deference


The application for bail pending appeal is anchored on the principal consideration of whether or not the proposed appeal has prospects of success.

It would be illogical, and not in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending an appeal which is predictably deemed to fail. It is, on the other hand, logical, and in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending appeal where the proposed appeal has merit and may likely succeed; provided, however, that there are no indications that the applicant for bail pending appeal may abscond.

Final Orders re: Approach, Variation, Misdirections, Dismissal For Want of Prosecution and Effect of Procedural Irregularities


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”

It is, of course, a requirement, in terms of section 44(4) of the High Court Act, that a person convicted by an inferior court to the High Court and has appealed to the High Court against conviction or sentence or both, and is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, and wishes to appeal further to the Supreme Court, should first obtain leave of a judge to appeal if the appeal is based on a question of fact or mixed fact and law.

If the appeal is based on a question of law only, no prior leave to appeal is required.

The High Court Act does not provide for the granting of ancillary or consequential orders upon the grant of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudicial correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of Rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, S1.137 of 2018 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

The applicant, prior to being granted leave to appeal out of time, filed, on 16 October 2020, an application for bail pending the determination of the leave to appeal application.

The application was overtaken by events in that, with condonation being granted, there was no longer bail pending condonation to contend with.

The applicant only noted the appeal against conviction on 5 November 2020, under case no. SC476/20. The appeal is currently pending determination by the Supreme Court.

In case no. B1892/20, the applicant applies for bail pending the determination of that appeal. He filed the application on 6 November 2020 and headed it “bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction only.”

The application for bail pending appeal is anchored on the principal consideration of whether or not the proposed appeal has prospects of success.

It would be illogical, and not in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending an appeal which is predictably deemed to fail. It is, on the other hand, logical, and in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending appeal where the proposed appeal has merit and may likely succeed; provided, however, that there are no indications that the applicant for bail pending appeal may abscond.

The applicant averred that his appeal has prospects of success and relies on eight grounds of appeal set out in the notice and grounds of appeal.

The State counsel opposed the application on two grounds:

(i) Firstly, counsel contended, that, the application for bail was improperly before the court because the applicant did not seek leave to appeal first.

Counsel is mistaken because leave to appeal, as has been noted, was granted by MUSHORE J. The appeal is, in fact, properly pending before the Supreme Court.

(ii) The other ground of objection is that there are no prospects of success on appeal against conviction.

The determination of whether there are prospects of success on appeal in this matter presents jurisprudential challenges.

The applicant's appeal against conviction was dismissed, on appeal, by this court on the basis that it had no merit.

The decision on appeal is binding upon a single judge.

It would procedurally be improper, in my view, for the single judge to have to review the Appeal Court's decision and make a pronouncement on the correctness of the judgment given on appeal.

To interrogate the jurisprudential or legal quagmire, it is noted that section 44(4) of the High Court Act only grants a right of appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court, on appeal, upon a decision of an inferior court.

The right of appeal given is to be exercised in the same manner as if the decision, on appeal, was a decision of the High Court on trial before the High Court.

The provisions of the law on the grant of leave to appeal have not taken into account that leave to appeal would be in relation to an appeal judgment wherein two or more judges sat.

Should such leave not be sought from the two judges is a question that comes to mind.

As the law stands, however, section 44(4) of the High Court Act implies that a single judge is permitted to grant leave to appeal.

I respectfully suggest that the law is revisited so that there is clarity on procedure as it appears illogical that a single judge reviews the Appeal Court decision and qualifies the judgment.

I have however also considered the provisions of section 123(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which provides as follows:

123 Power to admit to Bail Pending Appeal or Review

(1) Subject to this section, a person may be admitted to bail or have his conditions of bail altered –

(a) In the case of a person who has been convicted and sentenced by the High Court and who applies for bail –

(i) Pending the determination by the Supreme Court of his appeal; or

(ii) Pending the determination of an application for leave to appeal or for an extension of time within which to apply for such leave; by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.”

In my interpretation, the default position is that where the applicant has noted an appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction and sentence, on trial by the High Court, or has been sentenced by the High Court, bail pending appeal should be made to a judge of the Supreme.

Although the provision speaks to a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, the default position is that the Supreme Court judge is the first point of call failing which a High Court judge may determine the application.

Even if I am wrong in my interpretation, a situation may arise, as in the instant case, where I am asked to determine prospects of success on appeal where the High Court, on appeal, exhausted its jurisdiction.

In my respectful view, it is only jurisprudentially proper that a Supreme Court judge should be the one to determine the bail pending appeal where the appeal relates to a judgment of the High Court granted on appeal.

I must come to the conclusion, that, the interests of justice and procedural and substantive fairness dictate that l defer to a judge of the Supreme Court to hear the bail application in terms of section 123(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Consequently, the application for bail pending appeal is struck off the roll.

The applicant, if advised, may direct the application for determination by a judge of the Supreme Court.

Bail re: Bail Pending Appeal, Review, Reinstatement of an Appeal and Interlocutory Proceedings iro Approach


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”

It is, of course, a requirement, in terms of section 44(4) of the High Court Act, that a person convicted by an inferior court to the High Court and has appealed to the High Court against conviction or sentence or both, and is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, and wishes to appeal further to the Supreme Court, should first obtain leave of a judge to appeal if the appeal is based on a question of fact or mixed fact and law.

If the appeal is based on a question of law only, no prior leave to appeal is required.

The High Court Act does not provide for the granting of ancillary or consequential orders upon the grant of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudicial correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of Rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, S1.137 of 2018 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

The applicant, prior to being granted leave to appeal out of time, filed, on 16 October 2020, an application for bail pending the determination of the leave to appeal application.

The application was overtaken by events in that, with condonation being granted, there was no longer bail pending condonation to contend with.

The applicant only noted the appeal against conviction on 5 November 2020, under case no. SC476/20. The appeal is currently pending determination by the Supreme Court.

In case no. B1892/20, the applicant applies for bail pending the determination of that appeal. He filed the application on 6 November 2020 and headed it “bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction only.”

The application for bail pending appeal is anchored on the principal consideration of whether or not the proposed appeal has prospects of success.

It would be illogical, and not in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending an appeal which is predictably deemed to fail. It is, on the other hand, logical, and in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending appeal where the proposed appeal has merit and may likely succeed; provided, however, that there are no indications that the applicant for bail pending appeal may abscond.

The applicant averred that his appeal has prospects of success and relies on eight grounds of appeal set out in the notice and grounds of appeal.

The State counsel opposed the application on two grounds:

(i) Firstly, counsel contended, that, the application for bail was improperly before the court because the applicant did not seek leave to appeal first.

Counsel is mistaken because leave to appeal, as has been noted, was granted by MUSHORE J. The appeal is, in fact, properly pending before the Supreme Court.

(ii) The other ground of objection is that there are no prospects of success on appeal against conviction.

The determination of whether there are prospects of success on appeal in this matter presents jurisprudential challenges.

The applicant's appeal against conviction was dismissed, on appeal, by this court on the basis that it had no merit.

The decision on appeal is binding upon a single judge.

It would procedurally be improper, in my view, for the single judge to have to review the Appeal Court's decision and make a pronouncement on the correctness of the judgment given on appeal.

To interrogate the jurisprudential or legal quagmire, it is noted that section 44(4) of the High Court Act only grants a right of appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court, on appeal, upon a decision of an inferior court.

The right of appeal given is to be exercised in the same manner as if the decision, on appeal, was a decision of the High Court on trial before the High Court.

The provisions of the law on the grant of leave to appeal have not taken into account that leave to appeal would be in relation to an appeal judgment wherein two or more judges sat.

Should such leave not be sought from the two judges is a question that comes to mind.

As the law stands, however, section 44(4) of the High Court Act implies that a single judge is permitted to grant leave to appeal.

I respectfully suggest that the law is revisited so that there is clarity on procedure as it appears illogical that a single judge reviews the Appeal Court decision and qualifies the judgment.

I have however also considered the provisions of section 123(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which provides as follows:

123 Power to admit to Bail Pending Appeal or Review

(1) Subject to this section, a person may be admitted to bail or have his conditions of bail altered –

(a) In the case of a person who has been convicted and sentenced by the High Court and who applies for bail –

(i) Pending the determination by the Supreme Court of his appeal; or

(ii) Pending the determination of an application for leave to appeal or for an extension of time within which to apply for such leave; by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.”

In my interpretation, the default position is that where the applicant has noted an appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction and sentence, on trial by the High Court, or has been sentenced by the High Court, bail pending appeal should be made to a judge of the Supreme.

Although the provision speaks to a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, the default position is that the Supreme Court judge is the first point of call failing which a High Court judge may determine the application.

Even if I am wrong in my interpretation, a situation may arise, as in the instant case, where I am asked to determine prospects of success on appeal where the High Court, on appeal, exhausted its jurisdiction.

In my respectful view, it is only jurisprudentially proper that a Supreme Court judge should be the one to determine the bail pending appeal where the appeal relates to a judgment of the High Court granted on appeal.

I must come to the conclusion, that, the interests of justice and procedural and substantive fairness dictate that l defer to a judge of the Supreme Court to hear the bail application in terms of section 123(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Consequently, the application for bail pending appeal is struck off the roll.

The applicant, if advised, may direct the application for determination by a judge of the Supreme Court.

Final Orders re: Composition of Bench iro Precedents, Stare Decisis, Obiter Dictum, Ratio Decidendi & Judicial Lag


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”

It is, of course, a requirement, in terms of section 44(4) of the High Court Act, that a person convicted by an inferior court to the High Court and has appealed to the High Court against conviction or sentence or both, and is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, and wishes to appeal further to the Supreme Court, should first obtain leave of a judge to appeal if the appeal is based on a question of fact or mixed fact and law.

If the appeal is based on a question of law only, no prior leave to appeal is required.

The High Court Act does not provide for the granting of ancillary or consequential orders upon the grant of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudicial correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of Rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, S1.137 of 2018 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

The applicant, prior to being granted leave to appeal out of time, filed, on 16 October 2020, an application for bail pending the determination of the leave to appeal application.

The application was overtaken by events in that, with condonation being granted, there was no longer bail pending condonation to contend with.

The applicant only noted the appeal against conviction on 5 November 2020, under case no. SC476/20. The appeal is currently pending determination by the Supreme Court.

In case no. B1892/20, the applicant applies for bail pending the determination of that appeal. He filed the application on 6 November 2020 and headed it “bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction only.”

The application for bail pending appeal is anchored on the principal consideration of whether or not the proposed appeal has prospects of success.

It would be illogical, and not in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending an appeal which is predictably deemed to fail. It is, on the other hand, logical, and in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending appeal where the proposed appeal has merit and may likely succeed; provided, however, that there are no indications that the applicant for bail pending appeal may abscond.

The applicant averred that his appeal has prospects of success and relies on eight grounds of appeal set out in the notice and grounds of appeal.

The State counsel opposed the application on two grounds:

(i) Firstly, counsel contended, that, the application for bail was improperly before the court because the applicant did not seek leave to appeal first.

Counsel is mistaken because leave to appeal, as has been noted, was granted by MUSHORE J. The appeal is, in fact, properly pending before the Supreme Court.

(ii) The other ground of objection is that there are no prospects of success on appeal against conviction.

The determination of whether there are prospects of success on appeal in this matter presents jurisprudential challenges.

The applicant's appeal against conviction was dismissed, on appeal, by this court on the basis that it had no merit.

The decision on appeal is binding upon a single judge.

It would procedurally be improper, in my view, for the single judge to have to review the Appeal Court's decision and make a pronouncement on the correctness of the judgment given on appeal.

To interrogate the jurisprudential or legal quagmire, it is noted that section 44(4) of the High Court Act only grants a right of appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court, on appeal, upon a decision of an inferior court.

The right of appeal given is to be exercised in the same manner as if the decision, on appeal, was a decision of the High Court on trial before the High Court.

The provisions of the law on the grant of leave to appeal have not taken into account that leave to appeal would be in relation to an appeal judgment wherein two or more judges sat.

Should such leave not be sought from the two judges is a question that comes to mind.

As the law stands, however, section 44(4) of the High Court Act implies that a single judge is permitted to grant leave to appeal.

I respectfully suggest that the law is revisited so that there is clarity on procedure as it appears illogical that a single judge reviews the Appeal Court decision and qualifies the judgment.

I have however also considered the provisions of section 123(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which provides as follows:

123 Power to admit to Bail Pending Appeal or Review

(1) Subject to this section, a person may be admitted to bail or have his conditions of bail altered –

(a) In the case of a person who has been convicted and sentenced by the High Court and who applies for bail –

(i) Pending the determination by the Supreme Court of his appeal; or

(ii) Pending the determination of an application for leave to appeal or for an extension of time within which to apply for such leave; by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.”

In my interpretation, the default position is that where the applicant has noted an appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction and sentence, on trial by the High Court, or has been sentenced by the High Court, bail pending appeal should be made to a judge of the Supreme.

Although the provision speaks to a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, the default position is that the Supreme Court judge is the first point of call failing which a High Court judge may determine the application.

Even if I am wrong in my interpretation, a situation may arise, as in the instant case, where I am asked to determine prospects of success on appeal where the High Court, on appeal, exhausted its jurisdiction.

In my respectful view, it is only jurisprudentially proper that a Supreme Court judge should be the one to determine the bail pending appeal where the appeal relates to a judgment of the High Court granted on appeal.

I must come to the conclusion, that, the interests of justice and procedural and substantive fairness dictate that l defer to a judge of the Supreme Court to hear the bail application in terms of section 123(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Consequently, the application for bail pending appeal is struck off the roll.

The applicant, if advised, may direct the application for determination by a judge of the Supreme Court.

Jurisdiction re: Approach, Assumption of Jurisdiction, Functus Officio and Judicial Deference


I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The Background to the Applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows:

The applicant was convicted by the Regional Magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court, sitting on appeal, dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extent that the sentence imposed by the Regional Magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court, on appeal, in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September 2020, the applicant filed, under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who, on 23 October 2020, granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J, inter alia, ordered, in paragraph 2, as follows:

“2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”

It is, of course, a requirement, in terms of section 44(4) of the High Court Act, that a person convicted by an inferior court to the High Court and has appealed to the High Court against conviction or sentence or both, and is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, and wishes to appeal further to the Supreme Court, should first obtain leave of a judge to appeal if the appeal is based on a question of fact or mixed fact and law.

If the appeal is based on a question of law only, no prior leave to appeal is required.

The High Court Act does not provide for the granting of ancillary or consequential orders upon the grant of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudicial correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of Rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, S1.137 of 2018 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

The applicant, prior to being granted leave to appeal out of time, filed, on 16 October 2020, an application for bail pending the determination of the leave to appeal application.

The application was overtaken by events in that, with condonation being granted, there was no longer bail pending condonation to contend with.

The applicant only noted the appeal against conviction on 5 November 2020, under case no. SC476/20. The appeal is currently pending determination by the Supreme Court.

In case no. B1892/20, the applicant applies for bail pending the determination of that appeal. He filed the application on 6 November 2020 and headed it “bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction only.”

The application for bail pending appeal is anchored on the principal consideration of whether or not the proposed appeal has prospects of success.

It would be illogical, and not in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending an appeal which is predictably deemed to fail. It is, on the other hand, logical, and in the interests of justice, to grant bail pending appeal where the proposed appeal has merit and may likely succeed; provided, however, that there are no indications that the applicant for bail pending appeal may abscond.

The applicant averred that his appeal has prospects of success and relies on eight grounds of appeal set out in the notice and grounds of appeal.

The State counsel opposed the application on two grounds:

(i) Firstly, counsel contended, that, the application for bail was improperly before the court because the applicant did not seek leave to appeal first.

Counsel is mistaken because leave to appeal, as has been noted, was granted by MUSHORE J. The appeal is, in fact, properly pending before the Supreme Court.

(ii) The other ground of objection is that there are no prospects of success on appeal against conviction.

The determination of whether there are prospects of success on appeal in this matter presents jurisprudential challenges.

The applicant's appeal against conviction was dismissed, on appeal, by this court on the basis that it had no merit.

The decision on appeal is binding upon a single judge.

It would procedurally be improper, in my view, for the single judge to have to review the Appeal Court's decision and make a pronouncement on the correctness of the judgment given on appeal.

To interrogate the jurisprudential or legal quagmire, it is noted that section 44(4) of the High Court Act only grants a right of appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court, on appeal, upon a decision of an inferior court.

The right of appeal given is to be exercised in the same manner as if the decision, on appeal, was a decision of the High Court on trial before the High Court.

The provisions of the law on the grant of leave to appeal have not taken into account that leave to appeal would be in relation to an appeal judgment wherein two or more judges sat.

Should such leave not be sought from the two judges is a question that comes to mind.

As the law stands, however, section 44(4) of the High Court Act implies that a single judge is permitted to grant leave to appeal.

I respectfully suggest that the law is revisited so that there is clarity on procedure as it appears illogical that a single judge reviews the Appeal Court decision and qualifies the judgment.

I have however also considered the provisions of section 123(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which provides as follows:

123 Power to admit to Bail Pending Appeal or Review

(1) Subject to this section, a person may be admitted to bail or have his conditions of bail altered –

(a) In the case of a person who has been convicted and sentenced by the High Court and who applies for bail –

(i) Pending the determination by the Supreme Court of his appeal; or

(ii) Pending the determination of an application for leave to appeal or for an extension of time within which to apply for such leave; by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.”

In my interpretation, the default position is that where the applicant has noted an appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction and sentence, on trial by the High Court, or has been sentenced by the High Court, bail pending appeal should be made to a judge of the Supreme.

Although the provision speaks to a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, the default position is that the Supreme Court judge is the first point of call failing which a High Court judge may determine the application.

Even if I am wrong in my interpretation, a situation may arise, as in the instant case, where I am asked to determine prospects of success on appeal where the High Court, on appeal, exhausted its jurisdiction.

In my respectful view, it is only jurisprudentially proper that a Supreme Court judge should be the one to determine the bail pending appeal where the appeal relates to a judgment of the High Court granted on appeal.

I must come to the conclusion, that, the interests of justice and procedural and substantive fairness dictate that l defer to a judge of the Supreme Court to hear the bail application in terms of section 123(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Consequently, the application for bail pending appeal is struck off the roll.

The applicant, if advised, may direct the application for determination by a judge of the Supreme Court.

Bail Pending Appeal and Bail Pending Condonation

CHITAPI J: I would not have composed a written judgment but for the need to clear the confusion within the applicant's misunderstanding of procedure to assert his liberty rights.

The background to the applications

B1725/20 and B892/20 is as follows.

The applicant was convicted by the regional magistrate sitting at Harare on 4 October, 2017 on four counts of rape. Consequent on the conviction, the applicant was sentenced to fifty years imprisonment. Ten years of that sentence was suspended for five years on conditions of future good behavior. The effective sentence imposed was therefore forty years imprisonment.

The applicant noted an appeal against both conviction and sentence to this court.

On 5 August, 2020, this court sitting on appeal dismissed the applicant's appeal against conviction. As against sentence, the appeal succeeded to the extend that the sentence imposed by the regional magistrate was reduced to twenty five years imprisonment with five years thereof suspended on condition of future good behavior. The applicant was therefore to serve an effective sentence of twenty years imprisonment.

The appeal to this court was determined under case no. CA110/14.

The applicant was not satisfied with the decision of this court on appeal in case no. CA110/14. He however delayed in taking steps to further appeal this court's decision to the Supreme Court.

On 7 September, 2020 the applicant filed under case no. CON 319/20, a chamber application for condonation of late noting of an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The application was placed before MUSHORE J, who on 23 October, 2020 granted the applicant leave to appeal against conviction only. In the order made, MUSHORE J inter alia ordered in paragraph 2 as follows:

2. Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to file his notice and grounds of appeal against conviction only through the Supreme Court Registrar within 10 days from the date of this order.”

It is of course a requirement in terms of section 44(4) that a person convicted by an inferior court to the High Court and has appealed to the High Court against conviction or sentence or both, and is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, and wishes to appeal further to the Supreme Court, should first obtain leave of a judge to appeal if the appeal is based on a question of fact or mixed fact and law.

If the appeal is based on a question of law only, no prior leave to appeal is required.

The High Court Act does not provide for the granting of ancillary or consequential orders upon the grant of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

For posterity, I need to make a passing comment in regard to the quoted order of MUSHORE J aforesaid. It needs a non-prejudical correction to it.

It directs the applicant to note the appeal through the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

In terms of rule 18(3) of the Supreme Court Rules S1.137/18 a notice of appeal to be filed consequent upon the grant of leave to appeal by this court, is directed at and filed with the Registrar of the High Court and copy thereof then filed with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

I have indicated that there is no prejudice to anyone and the order of MUSHORE J is corrected in paragraph 2 by the deletion of the word “Supreme” and replacing it with the word “High”.

The applicant prior to being granted leave to appeal out of time filed on 16 October, 2020 an application for bail pending the determination of the leave to appeal application.

The application was overtaken by events in that with condonation being granted, there was no longer bail pending condonation to contend with.

The applicant only noted the appeal against conviction on 5 November, 2020 under case no. SC476/20. The appeal is currently pending determination by the Supreme Court.

In case no. B1892/20 the applicant applies for bail pending the determination of that appeal. He filed the application on 6 November 2020 and headed it “bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction only.”

The application for bail pending appeal is anchored on the principal consideration of whether or not the proposed appeal has prospects of success.

It would be illogical and not in the interests of justice to grant bail pending an appeal which is predictably deemed to fail. It is on the other hand logical and in the interests of justice to grant bail pending appeal where the proposed appeal has merit and may likely succeed provided however that there are no indications that the applicant for bail pending appeal may abscond.

The applicant averred that his appeal has prospects of success and relies on eight grounds of appeal set out in the notice and grounds of appeal.

The State counsel opposed the application on two grounds.

(i) Firstly counsel contended that the application for bail was improperly before the court because the applicant did not seek leave to appeal first.

Counsel is mistaken because leave to appeal as has been noted was granted by MUSHORE J. The appeal is in fact properly pending before the Supreme Court.

(ii) The other ground of objection is that there are no prospects of success on appeal against conviction.

The determination of whether there are prospects of success on appeal in this matter presents jurisprudential challenges.

The applicant's appeal against conviction was dismissed on appeal by this court on the basis that it had no merit.

The decision on appeal is binding upon a single judge.

It would procedurally be improper in my view for the single judge to have to review the appeal court's decision and make a pronouncement on the correctness of the judgment given on appeal.

To interrogate the jurisprudential or legal quagmire, it is noted that section 44(4) of the High Court Act only grants a right of appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court on appeal upon a decision of an inferior court. The right of appeal given is to be exercised in the same manner as if the decision on appeal was a decision of the High Court on trial before the High Court.

The provisions of the law on the grant of leave to appeal have not taken into account that leave to appeal would be in relation to an appeal judgment wherein two or more judges sat.

Should such leave not be sought from the two judges is a question that comes to mind.

As the law stands however section 44(4) implies that a single judge is permitted to grant leave to appeal.

I respectfully suggest that the law is revisited so that there is clarity on procedure as it appears illogical that a single judge reviews the appeal court decision and qualifies the judgment.

I have however also considered the provisions of section 123(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. Which provides as follows:

123 Power to admit to bail pending appeal or review

(1) Subject to this section, a person may be admitted to bail or have his conditions of bail altered –

(a) In the case of a person who has been convicted and sentenced by the High Court and who applies for bail –

(i) Pending the determination by the Supreme Court of his appeal; or

(ii) Pending the determination of an application for leave to appeal or for an extension of time within which to apply for such leave; by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.”

In my interpretation, the default position is that where the applicant has noted an appeal to the Supreme Court against conviction and sentence on trial by the High Court or has been sentenced by the High Court, bail pending appeal should be made to a judge of the Supreme.

Although the provision speaks to a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, the default position is that the Supreme Court judge is the first point of call failing which a High Court judge may determine the application.

Even if I am wrong in my interpretation, a situation may arise as in the instant case where I am asked to determine prospects of success on appeal where the High Court on appeal exhausted its jurisdiction.

In my respectful view, it is only jurisprudentially proper that a Supreme Court judge should be the one to determine the bail pending appeal where the appeal relates to a judgment of the High Court granted on appeal.

I must come to the conclusion that the interests of justice and procedural and substantive fairness dictate that l defer to a judge of the Supreme Court to hear the bail application in terms of section 123(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Consequently the application for bail pending appeal is struck off the roll. The applicant if advised may direct the application for determination by a judge of the Supreme Court.





National Prosecuting Authority, respondent's legal practitioners

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