I
have deliberately consolidated both bail applications because they are related
and interlinked.
In
case number 309/13, the first appellant, Thabani Mpofu, is jointly charged with
Felix Matsinde, Warship Dumba and Methuli Tshuma with contravening section
4(3) of the Official Secrets Act [Chapter 11:09], contravening section 179(1)
of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] ...
I
have deliberately consolidated both bail applications because they are related
and interlinked.
In
case number 309/13, the first appellant, Thabani Mpofu, is jointly charged with
Felix Matsinde, Warship Dumba and Methuli Tshuma with contravening section
4(3) of the Official Secrets Act [Chapter 11:09], contravening section 179(1)
of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] and section
40(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. The
offences have to do with the unlawful communication of certain official information
and possession of certain articles for criminal use….,.
The
appellants are, to some extent, well-known members of the public. The first
appellant, Thabani Mpofu, is employed as a Principal Director in the Prime
Minister's office based at 14 Bath Road, Belgravia. The second appellant, Felix
Matsinde, is also employed in the Prime Minister's Office as a researcher at
the same address. The same applies to the third appellant, Warship Dumba. The
fourth appellant is a Law Officer in the Attorney General's office but is
currently on suspension….,.
All the 4 accused persons applied for bail
without success in the Magistrates Court. In both cases, the magistrate, after
hearing both applications, denied all the appellants bail in the most cursory
and perfunctory manner.
