(Last Updated on September 30, 2020 by Editor)
HARARE – Melanie Robinson, UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe called for an end to the continued persecution of Joana Mamombe and all those detained by the state.
In a tweet, the ambassador said she was saddened to see the treatment of the Harare West MP, adding that it was hard to see her treatment as fair and dignified.
“Saddened by the treatment of opposition MP Joana Mamombe in Zimbabwe. Hard to see this as her being treated with fairness and dignity. Calling for her rights and the rights of all those detained here to be fully upheld,” said the UK representative to Zimbabwe.
Mamombe is facing charges of faking her abduction in May this year together with two other MDC-Alliance activists, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri.
The trio’s case has been adjourned to 8 October as the State awaits the doctor’s report on Joana.
Joana was last week ordered by the court to be remanded in custody while being mentally assessed after her lawyers had argued she was not fit to stand in trial at the moment.
The state ignored assessments from her personal psychiatrist who had testified that the Mamombe was showing signs of “anxiety disorders” and was therefore undergoing medical supervision at Borrowdale Halfway House.
The three female activist were reportedly abducted and tortured by suspected state security agents in May this.
However, when they showed up after going missing for days and reported the incident, the state opened a case against them on charges of faking their own abductions.