High Court postpones Chin’ono’s trial to next year

High Court on Friday, December 4, delayed the proceedings of the trial of journalist Hopewell Chon’ono which was set to commence on 7 December on charges of inciting violence pending the determination of his review application.

The trial which had been set for 7, 8 and 9 December 2020 will therefore not proceed as scheduled but postponed to the 18th of January next.

The date comes after Justice Happious Zhou heard about the application of an urgent chamber has been was filed by Chin’ono’s lawyers.

Posting on his twitter page, @daddyhope, Chin’ono said his trial was stopped after he asked for the magistrate to be recused and dismiss magistrate Ngoni Nduna’s rulling that dismissed his lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.

“My trial which was supposed to start today, was stopped by this High Court order after I asked for the magistrate to be recused, and also asked the High court to dismiss Magistrate Ngoni Nduna’s ruling which removed my lead lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa,” said Chino’ono

Chin’ono is on bail with charges of incitement and to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry or alternatively incitement to commit public violence.