adminFungai Lupande Court Reporter
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has been denying eight suspects accused of masterminding a foiled jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison access to basic necessities like toiletries, it has emerged.
Lucky Matambanadzo (39), Blessing Chauke (25), Lucky Mhungu (38), Taurai Dodzo (47), Thomas Chacha (37), Thulani Chizema (32), Jacob Sibanda (28) and Elijah Vhumbunu (38) yesterday begged the court to direct ZPS to provide them with the basic necessities.
Through their lawyer, Mr David Hofisi, the eight said they were being denied toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and tissue paper.
“The accused are not permitted to wear shoes, slippers or any form of footwear,” said Mr Hofisi. “There is no security risk in using tissue paper or toothpaste. They access the sun for 15 minutes in the entirety of the 24 hours in a day.”
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza said the matter was purely administrative.
“ZPCS is run in terms of the Prisons Act. The lawyer wants State to take over from prisons and tell them how to do their work,” said Mr Reza.
“The accused must abide by the directions given by authorities who have the constitutional mandate to look after them.”
The magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe ordered ZPCS to supply the accused with basic sanitary products.
The matter was remanded to May 22.
“However, the issue that the accused are staying in solitude in FB1 is purely administrative matter,” said Mr Mahwe.
“The court cannot take an armchair approach and order things that are not practical. The court leaves it to the prisons to locate them to cells deemed necessary.
“However they should have reasonable facilities including soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and toilet paper and a smart environment.”
The matter was remanded to May 22.
Online Reporter