Court Reporter
BAIL has been denied for five members of joint security team arrested Monday and facing allegations of Extortion, alternatively Bribery and Abuse of office.
Magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba ruled that Nyasha Mutema, Toddy Chirume, Public Mateta, Enerst Rwatinyanya, and Liberty Ngwenya were not good candidates for bail considering they ran away during arrest.
He remanded them in custody to November 24, their provisional trial date.
On Tuesday defence lawyer Tavonga Musina of Musina Law Attorneys, representing all five, had argued that all his clients were strong candidates for bail and that it was their constitutional right.
He had proposed a $200 bail fee coupled with conditions to remain at their respective residences and to refrain from interfering with witnesses turned down by Gwazemba.
District Public Prosecutor Wilbrought Muleya had opposed the application, citin a case law on those fleeing arrest.
The five were arrested in a sting operation where they were under an all night long surveillance broke with act at daylight with action.
They fled when cops pounced but Mutema was not fast enough.
They are accused of demanding money from cross-border motorists.