Sikhala whisked away in a facial mask

MDC vice chair Job Sikhala Wednesday failed to appear at the Harare magistrates' court as announced before amid confusion on whether he should be tried in Harare where he lives or in Masvingo where he allegedly threatened to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

When Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights accessed Sikhala at 08:40 hours at Bikita police station, he said that when he was whisked away from Harare Central Police he was blindfolded - covered with a facial mask. The facial mask was only removed at Gutu.

When @ZLHRLawyers accessed @JobWiwa at 0840 hrs at Bikita police station, he said that when he was whisked away from Hre Central Police he was blindfolded - covered with a facial mask. This was only removed at Gutu. @ZimHRNGOForum @SAHRDNetwork @BitiTendai @DavidColtart @mlawzim

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) July 11, 2019

The ZLHR said this is rather unfortunate, in direct contravention of section 50 of Constitution - rights of arrested and detained, section 51 - right to dignity, section 53 - freedom from torture. Blindfolding suspects is cruel, inhuman and tantamount to psychological torture.

This is rather unfortunate, in direct contravention of sec 50 of Const - rights of arrested & detained, sec 51 - right to dignity, sec 53 - freedom from torture. Blindfolding suspects is cruel, inhuman and tantamount to psychological torture @PoliceZimbabwe, our POLICE SERVICE. https://t.co/9jptZ4GE0q

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) July 11, 2019