(Last Updated on April 23, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – MDC Alliance youth leader and Member of Parliament for Harare West Joana Mamombe was on Thursday night forcibly removed from a local hospital and taken back to Chikurubi Maximum Prison against recommendations from doctors.
Mamombe was on Wednesday evening rushed to Parktown hospital as she was suffering from stomach aches and her legal team had to negotiate for her transfer following consultations with the prisons medical staff.
However, yesterday in the middle of the night, prison officers stormed the hospital taking her back to Chikuribi despite having scheduled to see a specialist today.
In a video seen by zimDaily, the Harare West legislator is heard arguing with the officers saying she is in pain and will not go back to prison.
“I am a prisoner but I still have rights. Ndikurwadziwa (I am in pain), I am not going anywhere…”
MDC Alliance spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere condemned the action, adding that Mamombe was still in bad shape and scheduled to see a specialist.
“In the latest show of cruel, inhuman & degrading treatment, @JoanaMamombe was forcibly removed from the hospital by prison officials last night against the orders of her doctor who says she needs specialist treatment. She remains gravely ill & was scheduled to see a specialist today,” tweeted Mahere.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights(ZLHR) who are representing the opposition activist expressed concern over the conduct of the prison officers.
Mamombe was arrested together with fellow opposition member Cecilia Chimbiri after they called for a press conference demanding the release of pro-democracy activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
They have been in custody since then and denied bail multiple times.