Zimbabwe's former finance minister Chombo granted bail

Zimbabwe’s embattled former finance minister Ignatius Chombo has finally been granted bail by High Court Judge Edith Mushore.

The judge who set aside the earlier magistrate court’s ruling that denied Chombo bail blasted the state for illegally detaining the former finance minister beyond the constitutionally prescribed 48hrs.

She then granted bail at $5,000 and ordered Chombo to specifically reside at 847 Golden Stairs road Mt Pleasant Harare, surrender his passport & title deeds of the address above. The former university lecturer will also be expected to report to Malbrough Police Station three times a day.

Chombo was detained after the military seized power in “Operation Restore Legacy” two weeks ago, which it said was meant to remove “criminals” around former president Robert Mugabe.

Chombo was among members of the G40 political faction allied to 93-year-old Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who were also expelled from the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Some supporters of new President Emmerson Mnangagwa have called for unspecified action against G40 but the president has urged citizens not to undertake any form of “vengeful retribution”.

Chombo, a Mugabe ally who was interior minister before he was appointed finance minister in October is charged with corruption, including trying to defraud the central bank in 2004.

Chombo’s lawyer Lovemore Madhuku says he will deny the charges when his trial starts.