The Harare Magistrates Courts were reportedly vandalized by unknown criminals while some grenades were found outside a local bank in the central business district.
Business at the courts came to a standstill Friday following the break-in. Chief magistrate, Mishrod Guvamombe, told Studio 7 that some of the courts’ property was stolen.
Guvamombe said the matter has been reported to the police.
Although Guvamombe could not give any further details, several court officials, who declined to be named, said court cases that were on the roll could be difficult to handle because some of the information was stolen.
When the courts were eventually opened to the public, local magistrate, Tendai Mahwe, ordered the release on bail of seven members of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai charged with engaging in public violence.
Mahwe ordered Samson Nerwande and others to deposit $50 each with the clerk of court, to surrender their passports and report to the police every Friday until their case is finalized.
Meanwhile, two grenades were found outside FBC Bank at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street. Some bank officials said the bomb disposal unit of the police and army was called in to remove the grenades.
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Charamba said police were still investigating both cases.