JUSTICE IN ZIMBABWE 121 ____________________________________________________________________ in establishing a defence to a charge of murder and the existence of extenuating circumstances in order to avoid the imposition of a death sentence.” 169 Comment When dealing with a bail application the court is quite entitled to examine the strength of the case against the accused. There were obviously strong grounds for refusing bail. What is more questionable is whether the Supreme Court should have made the sort of detailed findings that it did when dealing with an appeal against the refusal to grant bail. Such detailed findings are surely only appropriate after all the evidence has been heard when the matter is tried. There is a danger that such detailed findings could prejudice the trial itself and any appeal to the Supreme Court. Topic 10 10. THE LOVEMORE CASE The Amani Trust is an organisation that assists victims of torture. It has been in operation since 1993. Dr Lovemore is the medical director of Amani (Mashonaland Branch.) In August 2002 Dr Lovemore spoke to the media about cases of rape allegedly committed by militants to punish the victims for affiliation to the MDC or as reprisals for their parents involvement in the MDC. These interviews led to action being taken by the police. On the morning of 29 August 2002 plain clothed policemen searched the offices of the Amani Trust in Harare. Their search warrant specified that they would search Dr Lovemore’s office to look for subversive materials. However, in addition to taking materials from her office they also took various papers from other offices. This was done despite objections from Dr Lovemore’s lawyers. Dr Lovemore was arrested and taken to the Law and Order Section of the Central Police Station. Her lawyers accompanied her. At Law and Order, the officers insisted in questioning Dr Lovemore in the absence of her lawyer. The lawyer insisted that she was lawfully entitled to be present when this questioning took place, but she had to leave the room when the police threatened to remove her physically. A warned and cautioned statement was recorded from Dr Lovemore on a

Select target paragraph3

Add to table of contents