News / National
MDC-T activists denied access to medical attention 'but given pain killers'
15 Jul 2011 at 11:41hrs | Views
Eight MDC-T activists who are in remand prison on allegations of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare are being denied access to medical attention by prison officials despite a court ruling ordering that they receive treatment.
This was revealed today by defence lawyer, Jeremiah Bamu at the Harare Magistrates' Courts where the eight, including 16 other MDC activists who are out on bail appeared for their routine remand hearing.
The 24 MDC activists are facing trumped up charges of murdering a police officer at Glen View 3 Shopping Centre in May. The police officer was killed by unknown revellers at a night club.
Bamu said those in remand prison especially the female inmates are being denied medical attention and were only getting pain killers.
"Yvonne Musarurwa has a fracture on the left hand and blood is coming out from a wound on the right leg. Cynthia Manjoro has a growth on the left knee but this has not been attended to. She needs to go for an urgent biopsy but this has not been done. The only medication that they are receiving are pain killers and it is barely adequate for the serious injuries they have," said Bamu.
On the previous remand hearing, Magistrate Shane Kubonera had ruled that they should have access to medical attention after they were severely assaulted by the police. Councillor Tungamirai Madzokera of Ward 32 in Glen View who is in remand prison had his left hand fractured after he was assaulted while in police custody and the hand is in a plaster.
Bamu further blasted the State for failing to carry out proper investigations following complaints raised by the accused on their initial remand hearing that they were assaulted by the police while in custody.
"We are praying that these complaints against the police are carried out, not by the police but by the Attorney General's Office or any other independent body," said Bamu.
He accused the AG's Office of showing bias and using "guerrilla tactics" in prosecuting the 24 activists who were at one time denied access to legal representation.
"I pray that the court censure the behaviour shown at the AG's Office," said Bamu.
Magistrate Kubonera said he would make a ruling on the complaints raised by the defence lawyer at the next remand hearing on 29 July.
However, Bamu insisted that the State should set a trial date on next remand hearing.
This was revealed today by defence lawyer, Jeremiah Bamu at the Harare Magistrates' Courts where the eight, including 16 other MDC activists who are out on bail appeared for their routine remand hearing.
The 24 MDC activists are facing trumped up charges of murdering a police officer at Glen View 3 Shopping Centre in May. The police officer was killed by unknown revellers at a night club.
Bamu said those in remand prison especially the female inmates are being denied medical attention and were only getting pain killers.
"Yvonne Musarurwa has a fracture on the left hand and blood is coming out from a wound on the right leg. Cynthia Manjoro has a growth on the left knee but this has not been attended to. She needs to go for an urgent biopsy but this has not been done. The only medication that they are receiving are pain killers and it is barely adequate for the serious injuries they have," said Bamu.
On the previous remand hearing, Magistrate Shane Kubonera had ruled that they should have access to medical attention after they were severely assaulted by the police. Councillor Tungamirai Madzokera of Ward 32 in Glen View who is in remand prison had his left hand fractured after he was assaulted while in police custody and the hand is in a plaster.
"We are praying that these complaints against the police are carried out, not by the police but by the Attorney General's Office or any other independent body," said Bamu.
He accused the AG's Office of showing bias and using "guerrilla tactics" in prosecuting the 24 activists who were at one time denied access to legal representation.
"I pray that the court censure the behaviour shown at the AG's Office," said Bamu.
Magistrate Kubonera said he would make a ruling on the complaints raised by the defence lawyer at the next remand hearing on 29 July.
However, Bamu insisted that the State should set a trial date on next remand hearing.
Source - MDC-T
