News / National
ZHRC concerned over prolonged stays in prisons
27 May 2025 at 20:41hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), in line with its Constitutional mandate, conducted a human rights monitoring visit to Harare Remand Prison on April 29, amid concerns over the prolonged detention of the prisoners under unclear circumstances.
The ZHRC, in a statement, said the mission was meant to ascertain and verify facts following concerns over the prolonged detention of inmates arrested for politically sensitive cases.
"These included Blessed Mhlanga and the 94 detainees arrested in relation to the 31 March 2025 protests. The mission aimed to investigate allegations of politically motivated pre-trial detention and to ascertain circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of the inmates and to secure appropriate redress in line with section 243(1)(g) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Indeed, the visit covered all other issues affecting inmates in this prison facility," said ZHRC.
"Led by the Chairperson, Ms. Fungayi Jessie Majome, the ZHRC team managed to establish the following: Many detainees, including Mr. Blessed Mhlanga, have faced excessive delays in their legal proceedings, raising serious concerns regarding their rights to a fair trial."
ZHRC notes that inmates held in cases of political interest suffered prolonged pre-trial detention in violation of the right not to be detained without trial, and to be released on bail unless there are compelling reasons justifying such detention.
"Some of the inmates reported significant violations of their rights to education and healthcare. Mhlanga, a first-year law student, and another University of Zimbabwe Economics student were denied the opportunity to sit for their examinations while in custody," ZHRC noted.
"The inmates experienced inhumane living conditions mostly due to overcrowding. Prison cells designed for 35 inmates were holding more than 80, leading to unsanitary and degrading living conditions. Numerous detainees raised allegations of police abuse during their arrests, including physical violence and theft of personal belongings. It stated that the breakdown of the TelOne telephone facility at the prison meant some inmates were unable to communicate with their families, even for essential support, thereby violating their fundamental rights.
"There were 66 irregular migrants of different nationalities whose detention was in violation of their rights as they were not facing any criminal charges and were not awaiting trial," read the statement.
"In light of these findings, the ZHRC urged relevant authorities to take immediate action to Prioritize urgent bail applications since bail is a right to be enjoyed by all, unless there are compelling reasons justifying continued detention. Conduct thorough investigations into allegations of police misconduct and ensure accountability for any abuses. Improve prison conditions, reduce the crowding, restore communication facilities, and ensure access to adequate medical care for all detainees. Collaborate with the University of Zimbabwe and other learning institutions to facilitate educational opportunities for inmates. Desist from imprisonment of irregular migrants whose issues should be handled without resorting to indefinite detention. "
The ZHRC said it also provided onsite appropriate redress in accordance with section 243(1)(g) of the Constitution, to some of the challenges raised including the following, Assurance from the Officer in Charge (OIC) that those who were injured during arrest and had not received medical assistance were to be attended forthwith.
"The inmates were advised to report any complaints to the OIC who indicated that he was ready to receive, forthwith, reports of assaults by prison officers and bullying by fellow inmates," reads the statement.
"It was agreed that measures were to be taken to ensure medication and food brought by the visitors would swiftly reach the inmates. The ZHRC wrote to Tel-One to ensure repairs to the prisons telephone lines and keep them in a state of repair. The ZHRC would contact the University so as to mediate for Blessed Mhlanga and his 22-year-old fellow student to write their missed and pending exams.. To transmit the grievances to the lawyers representing the 94 that their clients expect to be personally interviewed, which the ZHRC managed to do. The ZHRC is encouraged by the positive developments that followed this monitoring mission where some of the above issues were immediately addressed. For example, Mr. Blessed Mhlanga and the other 94 detainees were granted bail in line with the rights guaranteed in section 50 (1)(d) of the Constitution. The ZHRC emphasizes that protecting human rights is paramount. There is need to address all outstanding issues and to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals including those in detention. The Commission will continue monitoring progress with regards to the above human rights and administrative justice issues and facilitate appropriate remedies. "
Ends
The ZHRC, in a statement, said the mission was meant to ascertain and verify facts following concerns over the prolonged detention of inmates arrested for politically sensitive cases.
"These included Blessed Mhlanga and the 94 detainees arrested in relation to the 31 March 2025 protests. The mission aimed to investigate allegations of politically motivated pre-trial detention and to ascertain circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of the inmates and to secure appropriate redress in line with section 243(1)(g) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Indeed, the visit covered all other issues affecting inmates in this prison facility," said ZHRC.
"Led by the Chairperson, Ms. Fungayi Jessie Majome, the ZHRC team managed to establish the following: Many detainees, including Mr. Blessed Mhlanga, have faced excessive delays in their legal proceedings, raising serious concerns regarding their rights to a fair trial."
ZHRC notes that inmates held in cases of political interest suffered prolonged pre-trial detention in violation of the right not to be detained without trial, and to be released on bail unless there are compelling reasons justifying such detention.
"Some of the inmates reported significant violations of their rights to education and healthcare. Mhlanga, a first-year law student, and another University of Zimbabwe Economics student were denied the opportunity to sit for their examinations while in custody," ZHRC noted.
"There were 66 irregular migrants of different nationalities whose detention was in violation of their rights as they were not facing any criminal charges and were not awaiting trial," read the statement.
"In light of these findings, the ZHRC urged relevant authorities to take immediate action to Prioritize urgent bail applications since bail is a right to be enjoyed by all, unless there are compelling reasons justifying continued detention. Conduct thorough investigations into allegations of police misconduct and ensure accountability for any abuses. Improve prison conditions, reduce the crowding, restore communication facilities, and ensure access to adequate medical care for all detainees. Collaborate with the University of Zimbabwe and other learning institutions to facilitate educational opportunities for inmates. Desist from imprisonment of irregular migrants whose issues should be handled without resorting to indefinite detention. "
The ZHRC said it also provided onsite appropriate redress in accordance with section 243(1)(g) of the Constitution, to some of the challenges raised including the following, Assurance from the Officer in Charge (OIC) that those who were injured during arrest and had not received medical assistance were to be attended forthwith.
"The inmates were advised to report any complaints to the OIC who indicated that he was ready to receive, forthwith, reports of assaults by prison officers and bullying by fellow inmates," reads the statement.
"It was agreed that measures were to be taken to ensure medication and food brought by the visitors would swiftly reach the inmates. The ZHRC wrote to Tel-One to ensure repairs to the prisons telephone lines and keep them in a state of repair. The ZHRC would contact the University so as to mediate for Blessed Mhlanga and his 22-year-old fellow student to write their missed and pending exams.. To transmit the grievances to the lawyers representing the 94 that their clients expect to be personally interviewed, which the ZHRC managed to do. The ZHRC is encouraged by the positive developments that followed this monitoring mission where some of the above issues were immediately addressed. For example, Mr. Blessed Mhlanga and the other 94 detainees were granted bail in line with the rights guaranteed in section 50 (1)(d) of the Constitution. The ZHRC emphasizes that protecting human rights is paramount. There is need to address all outstanding issues and to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals including those in detention. The Commission will continue monitoring progress with regards to the above human rights and administrative justice issues and facilitate appropriate remedies. "
Ends
Source - Byo24News
