Disabled man locked up for 8 months for stealing $5

A speech and hearing-impaired man of no fixed aboard - the State has failed to establish his real names and named him "Simumumu" (Alias) - arrested on allegations of plain robbery involving $5 and a cellphone worth $20, has been locked up in remand prison for the past 8 months.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) intervened in the matter yesterday seeking his release from cells on grounds that the crime he is alleged to have committed does not warrant the long-term detention he has experienced.

The man started appearing in court for routine remand in March 3 and was remanded in custody as the State sought to get details of his names, age and place of residence. Yesterday the trial failed to continue as the magistrate Thobekile Mkhosana, who started the case, was not around.

ZLHR lawyers Lizwe Jamela yesterday confirmed the case did not continue, but said as lawyers they were engaging the State over the case.

The court heard that on February 26 this year at 6am, the complainant Zikhali Mkombo (31) of Herbert Chitepo Street in Bulawayo, was at Milton Junior along Simon Parerenyatwa Street and 12th Avenue in the city waiting for transport to Burnside.

Four men, among them the accused Alias, approached and grabbed him while Alias pounded on him with fists until he bled through his nose. The gang later searched him and took his cellphone and $5. Only Alias was arrested.