News / National
MDC-T 29' languishing in prison two years on
18 Aug 2013 at 14:53hrs | Views
MDC-T activists, accused of murdering a police officer in Glen View, are still waiting for a ruling on their application for discharge more than two months after High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu reserved judgement.
The 29 MDC-T activists were arrested in 2011 for allegedly murdering a police officer, inspector Petros Mutedza in Glen View.
However, the wheels of justice seem to be moving slowly, and one of the activists Rebecca Mafikeni died on Monday while still in custody.
Relatives and some party official said prison authorities denied the activist medication, leading to her death.
Mafikeni, Tungamirai Madzokere, Yvonne Musarurwa, Last Maengahama and Simon Mapanzure were denied bail last year on the grounds that they were flight risks, while their 24 counterparts were released on bail between November and December.
Those released on bail last year include, MDC-T youth assembly chair Solomon Madzore. Madzore went on to win the Dzivaresekwa constituency in last month's harmonised elections.
The activists' lawyer, Charles Kwaramba told The Standard yesterday that he was still waiting for a ruling after applying for the discharge.
"I have been waiting since then. We are just waiting and waiting," he lamented.
Musarurwa, Maengahama and Mapanzure are still being held at Chikurubi Remand Prison, while Madzokera is at Harare Remand Prison.
Asked on the condition of the remaining four who are in custody, Kwaramba said he had not seen them, adding "they can't be well in prison".
The country's prisons are crowded and many prisoners suffer from contagious diseases.
Mutedza was stoned to death by unknown assailants during skirmishes in the high-density suburb.
Police at the time said the skirmishes arose after officers tried to disperse an illegal meeting in Glen View.
Police then declared war on MDC-T and civic society organisations.
The 29 MDC-T activists were arrested in 2011 for allegedly murdering a police officer, inspector Petros Mutedza in Glen View.
However, the wheels of justice seem to be moving slowly, and one of the activists Rebecca Mafikeni died on Monday while still in custody.
Relatives and some party official said prison authorities denied the activist medication, leading to her death.
Mafikeni, Tungamirai Madzokere, Yvonne Musarurwa, Last Maengahama and Simon Mapanzure were denied bail last year on the grounds that they were flight risks, while their 24 counterparts were released on bail between November and December.
Those released on bail last year include, MDC-T youth assembly chair Solomon Madzore. Madzore went on to win the Dzivaresekwa constituency in last month's harmonised elections.
The activists' lawyer, Charles Kwaramba told The Standard yesterday that he was still waiting for a ruling after applying for the discharge.
"I have been waiting since then. We are just waiting and waiting," he lamented.
Musarurwa, Maengahama and Mapanzure are still being held at Chikurubi Remand Prison, while Madzokera is at Harare Remand Prison.
Asked on the condition of the remaining four who are in custody, Kwaramba said he had not seen them, adding "they can't be well in prison".
The country's prisons are crowded and many prisoners suffer from contagious diseases.
Mutedza was stoned to death by unknown assailants during skirmishes in the high-density suburb.
Police at the time said the skirmishes arose after officers tried to disperse an illegal meeting in Glen View.
Police then declared war on MDC-T and civic society organisations.
Source - thestandard
