(Last Updated on January 21, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers (ZLHR) has filed an urgent application at the High Court challenging the exposure of those detained in prisons to Covid-19.
This application follows another letter of demand addressed to Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and other relevant government departments highlighting several concerns on exposure to Covid-19 and the high risk of infection at Harare remand.
In the application, Allan Moyo, a University of Zimbabwe student who has been detained for more than 40 days now after being arrested on allegations of inciting the public to revolt against the current government.
Moyo highlights the deplorable prison conditions which are increasing the risk of Covid-19 infections.
Several detained individuals including Hopewell Chin’ono and recently released Fadzayi Mahere have spoken out against the poor conditions in prisons where detained individuals are in overcrowded cells, lack of running water, no sanitisers and personal protective equipment (PPEs).
Chin’ono recently said he was packed in a prisons truck with 52 other inmates even though he had come in contact with positive Covid-19 cases before his arrest and a judge had ordered that he be isolated.
Mahere tested positive for Covid-19 following her release on bail.
The matter will be heard before High Court Judge Justice Toga today at 1000 hours.