The State has received video evidence from the
investigating officer, which suggests that MDC-Alliance member, Joana Mamombe,
is not suffering from anxiety disorder as she was captured on CCTV shopping in
Harare’s city centre on the day she is alleged to have been hospitalised.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza said this today before Harare
magistrate, Mrs Bianca Makwande, when he intended to make an application to
visit Borrowdale Halfway House in Harare, a medical facility where Mamombe is
said to be admitted and have her examined by two Government doctors.
“The State wishes to make an application in terms of
Section 26 of the Mental Health Act. Last night, I was advised by the
investigating officer that they have come with evidence which seems to suggest
she might not be suffering from the illness revealed in court.
“The evidence is on a CCTV footage and the investigating
officer has downloaded the evidence on a flash disc. On the video, it shows
that she was perfectly functioning and performing her normal duties and it was
taken on September 4 when she was supposed to be at hospital. She was
shopping,” said Mr Reza.
Mamombe’s lawyer Mr Jeremiah Bamu, who was standing in for
Mr Alec Muchadehama, told court that she could physically walk to court but she
cannot comprehend the trial proceedings.
Mrs Makwande turned down the State’s application to visit
the health centre saying it was not procedural.
The court ruled that Mamombe be taken to court, then the
State proceeds with its application in terms of the Mental Health Act, done in
her presence.
Mamombe is expected to be taken from the health centre
where she is admitted and appear in court this afternoon.
0 comments:
Post a Comment