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Detention Diary: Day 64 - Female detainees yet to receive medical treatment, court told
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
July 15, 2011

The three female detainees currently incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Cynthia Manjoro, Rebecca Mafukeni and Yvonne Usarurwa are yet to receive medical treatment despite the issuance of a court order in June 2011 indicating that the detainees should get treatment from doctors of their choice, the court was told.

Speaking during the routine remand hearing of the 24 Glen View residents accused of murdering a police officer in a Glen View club in May, human rights lawyer Jeremiah Bamu told the court that the female detainees, who did not attend court for unspecified reasons, have not yet received special medical attention despite the court having indicated that they could consult with doctors of their choice. The detainees were allegedly tortured and injured at the hands of state agents. According to the defense, Ms Manjoro developed growth on her knee after being beaten with a bottle while Ms. Mafukeni sustained a fractured right arm. In terms of Section 39 of the Prison Act, "The medical officer shall observe the condition of all prisoners . . . for that purpose, shall personally examine all such prisoners on every day on which he visits the prison, and shall furnish reports on such prisoners to the officer in charge in such form and at such time as may be prescribed."

In response, Magistrate Shane Kubonera, who presided over the case, said that he ordered the Attorney-General's Office to investigate the alleged abuses and provide urgent medical attention to the injured residents but however this has not yet been done.

Kubonera remanded the case to the 29th July at 0830hrs

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