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funds are not permitting. But all suspects are entitled to their food,” he said.
Speaking at a one-day workshop on prison conditions organised by the Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender in Bulawayo recently, police Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo said police were working under financial constraints. She said suspects risked starvation if their relatives did not provide food.
“We are short of resources and our operations are hampered by such constraints. At the moment there is no longer food for suspects and witnesses. Relatives have to bring the suspects food at the police station to avoid starvation. If your relatives do not bring you food, then tough luck. But at the end of the day, suspects have learnt to share the little food they have. Those with food end up sharing with those who do not get any food from their relatives.
“We also have transport problems and at times we run short of fuel to carry out our investigations resulting in delayed justice.
“At times our members end up using little money from their pockets to feed and pay bus fare for witnesses,” she said.
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At another ZACRO workshop held yesterday in Harare, police Assistant Commissioner Bobby Murwira also confirmed the predicament adding that they have not received funding for food for this fiscal year.
“We are under-funded and we have not been allocated any money this year towards feeding suspects in police cells. At times we are actually feeding them from our own pockets in order for justice to be done,” he said.
Assistant Comm Murwira attributed poor funding to the illegal sanctions imposed by the West on Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr John Masimba concurred with Assistant Commissioner Mofolo saying the courts were also facing related challenges.
Mr Masimba said the fund for the witnesses at the courts was still there but the allocation was too little and disbursements took time.
“We are getting an allocation of US$600 here in Bulawayo, but when that US$600 gets finished, it takes long for us to get more money considering that we are far from the head office.
“There are times when we have nothing to offer the witnesses who are entitled to their transport and other allowances.
“Being human, a magistrate ends up giving a poor old lady a dollar or two so that she goes home or buys herself a drink during the long wait at court,” he said.
Human rights lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama blasted the State for failure to look after the suspects and witnesses.
“The State is duty-bound to effect the human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. When suspects are in custody, the State should feed, clothe and provide them with medication.
“Failure to provide food among other needs to suspects in detention is a clear violation of prisoners’ rights,” said Mr Muchadehama.
Online Reporter