The special hearing on Sunday of the Harare High Court ordered Timba's release, but police refused to free him. Police officials at the court house said they needed time to complete release formalities, a claim attorneys dismissed as unnecessary and further harassment of Timba.

Timba's lawyers said he was denied food and access to attorneys in jail. Mugabe's party accused Timba of insulting Mugabe, an offense under sweeping security laws, when he said Mugabe lied over the outcome of a recent regional summit on Zimbabwe.