Police torture pregnant 'drug dealer'

Akanakaishe Melissa Muchakagara who is pregnant last week claimed that she was brutally tortured by police officers who accused her of being a drug dealer after they found her at a house where dagga worth $22 was recovered.

Muchakagara made the claims last Friday when she appeared before Harare magistrate Elijah Makomo facing drug peddling charges. Muchakagara said she was unable to stand trial since she was still nursing injuries sustained during her alleged battering by the police.

The magistrate remanded the matter to September 1 in order to allow Muchakagara to seek medical treatment after the court was shown pictures of her bruised backside, swollen ankles and feet.

A medical report obtained by Muchakagara on August 4 at Harare Central Hospital indicated that she sustained severe injuries all over her body due to assault by unknown objects.

Muchakagara has since filed assault charges against police officers identified as Mangena, Mlilo and Dube, all based at Southerton Police Station under CR 36/08/15.