Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Renzine Mzikamanda has deferred former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Raphael Kasambara’s bail revocation plea hearing to November 12.
Mzikamanda deferred the hearing after the State argued that they were not given ample time to respond to skeletal arguments before the matter was set for hearing as documents were only filed in court without serving the State.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mary Kachale said at the very minimum, the State is supposed to be given seven days to respond to skeletal arguments before a matter can be set down for hearing but it was only told about the hearing on Friday, October 23.
“So, we have raised an issue to say that we are surprised that this matter was set for hearing before we were even given the seven days. We believe that the lawyers, not the senior counsel but the younger lawyers, misled the court. We do not think the fault is with the court,” said Kachale.
Lawyer representing Kasambara, Modecai Msiska, refused to grant the media an interview, saying, he has been instructed by his client not to speak to the media.
