Lawyers representing former Finance Minister Tendai Biti and former Beitbridge Mayor Morgan Ncube have criticised continued trial delays.
The two opposition figures face allegations of contravening Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA).
They allegedly convened a public gathering without notifying the police as required under the law.
However, their case has repeatedly failed to proceed despite several appearances before the courts.
Defence Frustrated By Continued Delays
Mutare Magistrate Honest Musiyiwa removed the duo’s bail conditions on Tuesday before postponing the matter.
The court set October 6, 2026, as the next date for the case.
However, the State again failed to provide the defence with trial dates and State papers.
The prosecution had previously undertaken to provide a trial date but remained unprepared on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the defence maintains that it is ready to proceed with the matter.
Biti and Ncube were arrested on March 21, 2026, before appearing in court two days later.
Since then, they have appeared before the court on April 13 and May 26.
They also appeared on July 16 before returning to court on September 1.
The repeated postponements have therefore raised frustration within the defence team.
State Promises October Trial Date
Chris Ndlovu, from Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, said the defence was ready for trial.
“The State is just stalling. They are delaying. They are failing to provide us with the trial dates yet we are ready,” Ndlovu said.
The State has now undertaken that the charges will be put before plea if trial fails to begin.
That undertaking applies if proceedings do not commence when the matter returns on October 6.
Previously, the accused faced several bail conditions while awaiting trial.
Those conditions included a $500 deposit and restrictions on attending gatherings.
They were also required to surrender their passports and report to police stations fortnightly.
Additionally, Biti and Ncube were barred from interfering with State witnesses.
The removal of those conditions now gives the pair greater freedom while they await the next court appearance.
The post Tendai Biti, Morgan Ncube Trial Delayed Again as State Fails to Provide Trial Date appeared first on iHarare News.
