Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi was yesterday forced to keep the 65 suspected illegal forex traders in custody at the request of prosecutors who claimed were still to verify residential addresses for some of the accused.
Prosecutors also told the court that the investigating officer’s testimony was also crucial in the bail hearing process before any ruling could be made.
The court was also told that the investigating officer could not readily avail himself for the process as he was among police officers who have been deployed to take part in extra duties concerning Saturday by-elections.
The group, seized from street corners in Harare on Independence Day under a police blitz on illegal forex trader, was further remanded to dates including this Friday, Monday and Tuesday for bail hearing.
Speaking to the media following court proceedings, Tatenda Ishemukuru Ndlovu, of Chatsama and partners, representing some of the accused, said if justice prevails, his clients would be granted bail.
“The case has been postponed to Friday, Monday, Tuesday.
“The state intends to call the evidence of the investigating officer and because the issues they want to clarify…only the IO would know, so we agreed to the postponement though grudgingly,” he said.
Ndlovu added, “Bail applications by very nature are urgent applications and you would want the application to be determined at the earliest possible time, but there are issues to be clarified.
“We will be disappointed but at the same time, wait for that to happen. At the end of the day justice has to prevail.”
Commenting on the seriousness of the offence, the lawyer said the worst case scenario could be a non-custodial sentence.
“As far as I’m concerned, these are not serious allegations and we believe that if justice is going to take place, our clients are going to be granted bail.
“They are very suitable candidates for bail.
“In terms of the law, these are charges that can be determined before a court but are not very serious.
“They can be fined but the worst scenario can happen is maybe a non-custodial sentence.”
The 65 were arrested a few days after finance minister, Mthuli Ncube vowed to clamp down illegal forex dealers whose operations have been blamed on the rapid rate decline of the local currency.
Ncube said there was a need for ethical operations to be restored.
Source Zimlive
