Thread by @ZLHRLawyers

Our lawyers are here at Harare Magistrates Court ready to represent @daddyhope

Hopewell is yet to it arrive.

Hope & Hon. Sikhala are now here.

Hopewell tells journalists that Zimbabwe Prisons & Correctional Service defied Magistrate Ncube's court order by transporting him from prison to court together with 22 other prisoners instead of being ferried alone as ordered by court last Saturday.

Chin'ono says prison officers are putting lives of other prisoners at risk as he is a recent contact of people who tested positive to #COVID-19

Proceedings in Hon. Sikhala's case have now commenced with @bamujm demanding to be furnished with the Facebook post alleged to have been posted by Hon. Sikhala so that he can be well informed so as to challenge state application to place him on remand.

Court takes a brief adjournment to allow @bamujm to take instructions from his client after being handed over a downloaded copy of the Facebook post.

In the case of Hopewell, proceedings commenced with lawyers continuing with challenging State bid to place him on remand. Lawyers argue that section 31 of Criminal Code was declared to be in violation of the Constitution hence Hopewell is being charged under a non existent law.

In response to submissions by Hopewell's lawyers, prosecutors argue that the law still applies & is supported by current Constitution

Hopewell's lawyers tells Magistrate Lazini Ncube that ZPCS is defying court order to be put separately from other inmates.

Garikai Mudukuti from ZPCS tells Magistrate Ncube that the OIC at Chikurubi Maximum Prison has requested for a written court order so as to adhere to court instructions.

Magistrate Ncube says a written court order will be availed & orders ZPCS not to shackle Hopewell with leg irons.

In Hon. Sikhala's case, Bamu challenges State bid to place him on remand & argues that the Facebook account doesn't belong to the legislator.

State prosecutor argues that section 31 of Criminal Code hasn't been declared to be in contravention of the new Constitution

Bamu & Nkomo tell Magistrate Nduna that arrest of Hon. Sikhala was arbitrary & unlawful & hence he should be set free.

Nkomo & Bamu says if a statute is unconstitutional, it cannot become a law.

The lawyers say section 31(a)(iii) is legislation without force as it was struck out hence it is dead.

Bamu tells Magistrate Nduna that Hon. Sikhala must not be placed on remand on a charge already declared unconstitutional.

Hopewell returns to court on Wednesday @9:am, where Magistrate Ncube will hand down his ruling on application by State to place him on remand which has been challenged by his lawyers.

Magistrate Nduna dismisses Hon. Sikhala's application for refusal of placement on remand. He returns to court Wednesday where lawyers are expected to apply for his release from on bail