INCARCERATED journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer Beatrice
Mtetwa has said they fear he could be poisoned in jail as authorities put
restrictions on delivery of food from outside.
Mtetwa said this after visiting Chin’ono at Chikurubi
Maximum Security Remand Prison yesterday.
Chin’ono, who was denied bail last week by High Court judge
Justice Tawanda Chitapi, is now being treated like a maximum security prisoner,
his lawyer said.
“I struggled to see Chin’ono and when I managed to see him,
he was in leg irons and is being treated like a maximum security prisoner like
the most dangerous prisoners,” Mtetwa said.
“He is not allowed food from outside even if they have
special dietary requirements. They say
the only food that can be allowed is dry food bought online and delivered at
the prison.
“Of course, you know that will be delivered to the prison
officer, but you want to see that the food is delivered to the person direct,
meaning that the tasting requirement falls away thereby exposing the prisoner
to poisoning.”
Mtetwa said they were surprised that Chin’ono was not being
allowed to have visitors except lawyers, who would not be permitted to discuss
any other issues besides taking instructions from him only in connection with
the case.
The last prisoner that experienced such type of treatment
was the late former MDC MP Roy Bennett, even though he was allowed food from
home.
Mtetwa said prison officers told them they were carrying
out orders from above.
“They said they are following orders and that deepens the
story,” the veteran lawyer said.
“You don’t just take a prisoner, who is presumed innocent
and put them in leg irons and handcuffs and take them to Chikurubi Maximum
unless you are up to something.”
Chin’ono was arrested last month alongside Transform
Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume and the two are accused of inciting violence
ahead of the planned July 31 demonstrations that passed off peacefully. Standard
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