Zimbabwe Women In Politics Alliance (ZWIPA) leader, Linda Musarira has claimed that there is massive looting at Chikurubi Maximum prison as prison officers loot goods meant for prisoners.
Speaking to 263chat, Musarira, who was arrested together with other 14 activists camped at Africa Unity Square said prison officers are in the habit of looting food stuffs donated by charity organizations.
“ It is very disheartening to note that female prison officers, mainly, are in the habit of looting food stuffs and other goods that would have been donated by well-wishers to benefit prisoners.At the end of the day, prisoners suffer the most as they are left to starve,” said Musarira.
She said she witnessed an incident where one female prison officer looted groceries and clothes that were donated by the Roman Catholic Church while prisoners went unfed.
She added that the type of food that prisoners are made to eat is not fit for human consumption as sometimes they are made to eat unhealthy food which , if one is exposed to for long, could cause illnesses.
Musarira said female remand prisoners are being abused by officers as they are forced to work extra hard before being convicted.
“I was surprised to also realize that female prisoners are forced to work as convicted prisoners would do yet they are still on remand.
“This is a clear abuse of human rights by the prison officers and I’m challenging the government to look into it,” she said.
Patson Dzamara, who was also incarcerated together with nine other activists has released a memoir of his time in remand prison describing it as a dreadful moment in his life.
“I endured one of the most anxious moments of my life while detained at Rotten Row Court cells.
“Those 5 hours seemed like eternity to me. My mind constantly oscillated between hope and despondency during those 5 hours.
“I have been arrested and detained several times but I had never been to prison. Of course, when destiny chose to set me on this trajectory of leadership, I grudgingly accepted and appreciated that chains, torture and prisons would have to become kin to me,” said Dzamara.
He however said such obstacles will only keep him determined to fight for the betterment of the country.
Meanwhile, the Tajamuka/Sesijakile campaign has been halted as the participants are seeking legal recourse after they were beaten by police last night while resuming the Africa Unity Square demonstration .
“After experiencing police’s brutality last night soon after rounding up our 5 to 6pm session we wish to inform the public that we have begun a legal process seeking for a court interdict baring the police from interfering with our constitutional gatherings,” said the movement in a statement.
However, they vowed to continue fighting for the betterment of the future of Zimbabwe by taking government to task over issues that affect the ordinary people.
“As soon as the legal process is finalized, we shall inform you on the way forward. Thank you all for the support,” read the statement.
