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Woman sues hospital in bid to end captivity
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A 75‑year‑old woman from Murambinda in Buhera District has taken a private medical facility to court after the hospital allegedly detained her for nearly two weeks in an attempt to force her to settle an outstanding medical bill.
Marita Manyore is suing Exclusive Medcare Hospital, arguing that the institution unlawfully deprived her of her freedom by refusing to discharge her until she paid her full bill, which has since ballooned to US$2,200.
Manyore was admitted on 10 February 2026 under the care of a specialist physician after her family sought treatment for her prolonged illness. On 15 February, her family requested her discharge after realising the bill had reached US$1,070 — an amount they could not afford as costs continued to rise.
The attending specialist reportedly confirmed that Manyore had recovered sufficiently and no longer required specialist care, recommending her discharge so she could be managed by general practitioners. However, hospital staff allegedly refused to release her unless the full bill was paid.
The family initially offered US$200 and proposed to settle the balance in two monthly instalments of US$500, but the hospital rejected the offer. On 19 February, the family increased the initial payment to US$500, but the hospital again refused, advising that the bill had risen to US$1,440.
On 25 February, the family paid the US$500 and engaged Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyers Peggy Tavagadza and Tatenda Sigauke, who wrote to the hospital protesting the continued detention. They argued that holding a patient as a form of debt recovery was illegal, unethical and violated Manyore's constitutional rights.
Despite the intervention, hospital authorities allegedly remained adamant. During a meeting on 26 February, one of the hospital directors reportedly informed the family that the bill had increased to US$2,200 and insisted that Manyore would not be released because the US$500 already paid was "not motivating enough".
Left with no alternative, Manyore instructed her son, Witness Mavambire, to file an urgent chamber application at the Mutare High Court on 28 February 2026. The application seeks an order declaring her detention unlawful and compelling the hospital to release her immediately.
In the court papers, Manyore's lawyers argue that her continued confinement is meant to induce payment and violates her fundamental rights. They say she is no longer receiving treatment but is instead accruing additional costs, making it impossible for her to leave.
Manyore expressed gratitude to the doctors for the care she received but insisted that contractual obligations cannot justify the violation of her constitutional freedoms.
The matter is awaiting a hearing date at the Mutare High Court.
Marita Manyore is suing Exclusive Medcare Hospital, arguing that the institution unlawfully deprived her of her freedom by refusing to discharge her until she paid her full bill, which has since ballooned to US$2,200.
Manyore was admitted on 10 February 2026 under the care of a specialist physician after her family sought treatment for her prolonged illness. On 15 February, her family requested her discharge after realising the bill had reached US$1,070 — an amount they could not afford as costs continued to rise.
The attending specialist reportedly confirmed that Manyore had recovered sufficiently and no longer required specialist care, recommending her discharge so she could be managed by general practitioners. However, hospital staff allegedly refused to release her unless the full bill was paid.
The family initially offered US$200 and proposed to settle the balance in two monthly instalments of US$500, but the hospital rejected the offer. On 19 February, the family increased the initial payment to US$500, but the hospital again refused, advising that the bill had risen to US$1,440.
On 25 February, the family paid the US$500 and engaged Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyers Peggy Tavagadza and Tatenda Sigauke, who wrote to the hospital protesting the continued detention. They argued that holding a patient as a form of debt recovery was illegal, unethical and violated Manyore's constitutional rights.
Despite the intervention, hospital authorities allegedly remained adamant. During a meeting on 26 February, one of the hospital directors reportedly informed the family that the bill had increased to US$2,200 and insisted that Manyore would not be released because the US$500 already paid was "not motivating enough".
Left with no alternative, Manyore instructed her son, Witness Mavambire, to file an urgent chamber application at the Mutare High Court on 28 February 2026. The application seeks an order declaring her detention unlawful and compelling the hospital to release her immediately.
In the court papers, Manyore's lawyers argue that her continued confinement is meant to induce payment and violates her fundamental rights. They say she is no longer receiving treatment but is instead accruing additional costs, making it impossible for her to leave.
Manyore expressed gratitude to the doctors for the care she received but insisted that contractual obligations cannot justify the violation of her constitutional freedoms.
The matter is awaiting a hearing date at the Mutare High Court.
Source - Byo24News
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