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HH126-10 - ITAI MUNGATE and LOVERMORE MLAMBO and CHARLES ROVANI and EDMORE TARUVINGA and FELIX MARISA and EDMORE DAVID vs THE STATE

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Bail-viz bail appeal.

Bail-viz precious minerals re unlawful prospecting.
Precious Minerals-viz section 368(1)(a) of the Mines and Minerals Act 1 of 2006 re unlawful prospecting.
Precious Minerals-viz section 4 of the Mines and Minerals Act 1 of 2006 re searching for minerals without a valid prospecting licence.
Bail-viz initial remand proceedings.
Procedural Law-viz audi alteram partem rule.
Bail-viz changed circumstances.
Bail-viz bail pending trial.
Bail-viz changed circumstances re revocation of bail without requisite changed circumstances in justification.
Bail-viz concession to and revocation of bail.
Bail-viz changed circumstances re revocation of bail.

Precious Minerals re: Unlawful Prospecting


The six appellants were charged with contravening section 368(1)(a) as read with section 4 of the Mines and Minerals Act 1 of 2006, that is to say, unlawful prospecting or searching for any minerals, oil or natural gas without a valid prospecting license.

Bail re: Bail Pending Trial iro Initial Remand Proceedings and Pre-Indictment Constitutional Rights Violations

The six appellants appeared on initial remand before a magistrate on 18 May 2010. At that hearing, State counsel did not oppose the granting of bail. The magistrate's note read-

“S/C

TD 22/06/10 Crt 1 2/6/10 interim on condition that they:

(i) Deposit US$20= with C.O.C.

(ii) Reside @ given addresses.

(iii) ...,.

By Crt

Having regard to the nature of the allegations – offence attracts a minimum mandatory sentence of 2 years imprisonment. The accused are not likely to stand their trial and therefore bail is denied by the court.”

It is clear that the proceedings were conducted in the most perfunctory and injudicious manner. The presiding magistrate condemned the applicants to imprisonment in circumstances where the State was not opposing bail without any shred of evidence that the appellants were likely to abscond.

The appellants were condemned without a single word concerning the bail issue.

Bail re: Changed Circumstances iro Revocation or Termination of Bail and Application for Re-admission to Bail

The State, having conceded that the applicants were good candidates for bail they cannot now, without any changed circumstances, claim otherwise.

The magistrate, having grossly misdirected himself, it is accordingly ordered that bail be and is hereby granted in terms of the draft. The appellants are admitted to bail pending trial on the following conditions-

(a) First to sixth appellants to deposit US$20= with the Clerk of Court Bindura Magistrates Court.

(b)(i) First appellant to continue residing at Chebanga Village, Chief Mazowe until finalization of this matter.

(ii) Second appellant to continue residing at Amatola Farm, Mazowe until finalization of this matter.

(iii) Third appellant to continue residing at Daxford Farm, Mazowe until finalization of this matter.

(iv) Fourth appellant to continue residing at Tataguru Farm, Mazowe until finalization of this matter.

(v) Fifth appellant to continue residing at G26 Ondamera, Concession until finanlization of this matter.

(vi) Sixth appellant to continue residing at Wakatai Farm, Concession until finalization of this matter.

(c)(i) First, second, third and fourth appellants to report to Mazowe Police Station between the hours of 6am and 6pm every Friday.

(ii) Fifth and sixth appellants to report at Concession Police Station between the hours of 6am and 6pm every Friday.

BHUNU J:  The six appellants were charged with contravening s 368 (1)(a) as read with s 4 of the Mines and Minerals Act 1 of 2006, that is to say, unlawful prospecting or searching for any Minerals, Oil or Natural gas without a valid prospecting licence.

            They appeared on initial remand before a magistrate on 18 May 2010. At that hearing State Counsel did not oppose the granting of bail. The Magistrate's notes read:-

            “S/C

            TD 22/06/10 Crt I 2/6/10 interim on condition that they:

(i)                 deposit US$20 with C.O.C.

(ii)               reside @ given addresses

(iii)             ……

by Crt

Having regard to the nature of the allegations – Offence attracts a Minimum Mandatory Sentence of 2 years imprisonment. The accused are not likely to stand their trial and therefore bail is denied by the court”    

 

It is clear that the proceedings were conducted in the most perfunctory and injudicious manner. The presiding magistrate condemned the applicants to imprisonment in circumstances where the State was not opposing bail without any shred of evidence that the appellants were likely to abscond.

            The appellants were condemned without uttering a single word concerning the bail issue. 

            The State having conceded that the applicants were good candidates for bail they cannot now without any changed circumstances claim other wise.

            The Magistrate having grossly misdirected himself it is accordingly ordered that bail be and is hereby granted in terms of the draft.

            Appellants are admitted to bail pending trial on the following conditions.

(a)                First to sixth appellants to deposit US$20 with the Clerk of Court Bindura Magistrate Court.

 

(b)               (i)         First appellant to continue residing at Chebanga Village, Chief Mazowe 

                       until finalization of this matter

 

(ii)        Second appellant to continue residing at Amatola Farm Mazowe until finalization of this matter

 

(iii)       Third appellant to continue residing at Daxford famr, Mazowe until finalization of this matter.

 

(iv)       Fourth appellant to continue residing at Tataguru farm Mazowe until finalization of this matter.

 

(v)        Fifth appellant to continue residing at G26 Dndamera, Concession until finalization of this matter.

 

(vi)             Sixth appellant to continue residing at Wakatai farm Concession until finalization of this matter.

 

(c)        (i)         First, second, third and fourth appellants to report at Mazowe Police

                       Station between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm every Friday.

 

(ii)               Fifth and sixth appellants to report at Concession Police Station between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm every Fridays.

 

 

 

Jena and Associates, appellants' legal practitioners

The Attorney General's Office, respondent's legal practitioners
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