Constitutional law expert and academic Alex Magaisa, has said that the payment of a $200 fine by Tendai Biti after his conviction today should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
Biti paid a $200 fine after magistrate Gloria Takundwa convicted him for contravening the Electoral Act for his claim on 31 July 2018, that MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa had won the 2018 presidential polls.
Seeking to clarify confusion around fine payment and the admission of guilt, Magaisa said:
They had taken Biti down [into holding cells] after sentencing. Fine had to be paid or they would have kept him inside. Payment was not an admission of guilt but compliance with the order pending appeal.
I mention this as an explanation to those claiming payment of fine was an admission of guilt & so there is no ground for appeal. Wrong. Others have been genuinely asking to understand the circumstances. The alternative would have been to refuse to pay & risk remaining in custody.
Tendai Biti’s legal team has said that it will appeal the ruling of the magistrate.
Related:
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WATCH: Biti’s Speech That Resulted In His Conviction Today
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WATCH: Biti Speaks After His Conviction By A Harare Magistrate
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Tendai Biti Lawyer Comments On Electoral Conviction
More: Alex Magaisa on Twitter