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ZCTU leaders out on bail

Zimbabwean trade union president and secretary-general released by high court

HARARE (Sapa-AFP) - Two Zimbabwean trade union leaders who were arrested earlier this month for inciting rebellion against President Robert Mugabe's regime were granted bail on Monday by the high court in Harare.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union's (ZCTU) president Lovemore Matombo and secretary-general Wellington Chibebe, who had been in custody since their arrest on May 8, were released by Judge Ben Hlatshwayo on condition that they do not address any political rallies until their case is concluded.

"The judge gave conditions that they should continue residing at their given residential address, refrain from interfering with witnesses and that they should not address any political gatherings until the matter is finalised," the pair's lawyer Alec Muchadehama told AFP.

The pair were arrested following speeches made to supporters on May Day which included withering criticism of President Robert Mugabe's government.

The ZCTU was formerly led by Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Zimbabwe's opposition who is taking on Mugabe in a run-off election next month after narrowly failing to secure an outright victory in a first round poll in March.