By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, 17 June 2026 -Mutare magistrate Honest Musiiwa yesterday eased the bail conditions for prominent lawyer and opposition politician Tendai Biti and former Beitbridge mayor Morgan Ncube, who stand accused of convening an unauthorized public meeting.
The two, who had been reporting twice a week to the police, will now report once a month. The court also set their trial for 16 and 17 July 2026.
Biti and Ncube appeared before Musiiwa for routine remand on charges of contravening Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act. The State alleges that on 21 March 2026, they convened a meeting at 26B Carrington, Darlington, Mutare, without notifying the regulating authority. About 30 people reportedly attended the gathering, which discussed the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
Both were previously granted US$500 bail each. As part of the initial conditions, Biti was ordered to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court in Mutare, while Ncube was barred from applying for a new passport until the matter is finalized. The two were also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses.
The matter had earlier been postponed to 26 May after the State, led by prosecutor Brighton Garikai Chiromo, indicated it was not ready to proceed. Yesterday, the magistrate relaxed the reporting requirement and confirmed the trial dates. Lawyer Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners represents the accused.
Biti and Ncube remain out of custody.