The Zimbabwean Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release on bail of Paul Siwela of Mthwakazi Liberation Front, a Matabeleland separatist group, rejecting state appeals to keep him behind bars until he has been tried on charges of treason.
VOA Studio 7 reporter Thomas Chiripasi reported from Harare on the ruling.
Mthwakazi Liberation Front spokesman David Magagula told reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga the South African-based group is sending the US$2,000 bail to lawyers for Siwela hoping he can be released from Khami Maximum Security Prison in Bulawayo tomorrow.
Formed in recent months, the Mthwakazi Liberation Front has announced the formation of a government in exile for the western Matabeleland region and parts of Midlands province, an area of Zimbabwe heavily populated by the Ndebele-speaking minority.