By Patience Gondo
The High Court has granted ZimDancehall artist Ras Pompy, real name Reginald Mano, bail pending appeal following his conviction and sentencing earlier this year.
Ras Pompy, represented by lawyer Dumisani Mthombeni, was released on US$300 bail after the court ruled that he could await the outcome of his appeal from outside custody.
As part of the bail conditions, the artist is required to reside at his given address, report weekly to Matapi Police Station, and surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court in Harare until the appeal is resolved.
The court’s decision temporarily frees the 27-year-old musician, who was serving a six-month jail term following his conviction for unlawful possession of restricted substances.
The appeal, which challenges both the conviction and sentence, is yet to be heard by the High Court.
According to police records, Ras Pompy’s conviction arose from a July 16, 2025 incident in which detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit intercepted his black Honda Fit (registration number AGS 6699) along Kambuzuma Road in Harare.
When ordered to stop, he allegedly sped off, leading to a high-speed pursuit through Rugare suburb before crashing into a metal pole.
Upon searching the vehicle, detectives reportedly recovered 100 bottles of cough syrup, including Broncleer, Benylin, and Astra Pain, with an estimated street value of US$396.
The substances were seized together with the vehicle and Ras Pompy was subsequently charged and convicted under Zimbabwe’s drug control laws.
His legal team has since argued that the sentence was excessive and that the trial court erred in its findings, prompting the current appeal.
The High Court’s bail ruling allows Ras Pompy to regain temporary freedom under strict conditions until the appeal is finalized.
Court officials indicated that hearing dates for the matter will be announced in due course.
If the appeal succeeds, the artist’s conviction and sentence could be set aside, however if dismissed, he will be required to serve the remainder of his sentence.