12 Zimbabweans locked up in SA prison for 3 years without trial

By Lance Guma

SOUTH AFRICA – A group of 12 Zimbabweans and 12 Mozambicans have been locked up in a prison in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for nearly three years even though they have not been tried in court, Nehanda Radio can reveal.

In an exclusive interview with Nehanda Radio, one of the prisoners Douglas Govera said they were arrested in June 2012, by South Africa’s crack police squad “The Hawks” who target organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crimes referred to the unit by the national police commissioner.

“We were offered employment by CPI Security Company and worked on site in Hibberdine for three days. They took us as part time employees to remove the old cable of Transnet (state owned rail, port and pipeline company) and put a new one. We worked for several days and were on a R1600 a week contract. On the third day we were arrested on allegations that we were stealing copper cables,” Govera narrated.

“Since then we have been in prison. Whether your immigration papers are in order or not has made no difference. The white members of ‘The Hawks’ who arrested us said “you chased white people away from Zimbabwe so what do you want here? We do not have a trial date and it’s been like this for nearly 3 years.”

“We have been locked up here without being sentenced. Hunger and ill-health have plagued our group. One of our colleagues, Dino Mtethwa died in custody here at Pietermaritzburg New Prison, in Kwazulu Natal. I don’t think the South African or Zimbabwean government knows about our fate at all,” Govera said.

Those locked up include Jeffrey Ndlovu, Omega Pambuka, Anywhere Chimane, Bernard Mashelle, William Mazorodze, Andries Chilengwe, Benjamin Shereni, Thokhozani Makhoba, Sizwe Mzulwini, Teddy Shiri, Tonny Chauke, Andries Kumbani, Lewis Mathonsi, Antony Karule and Moses Mashaba.

The others are Lindokuhle Xulu, Gideon Tera, Liberty Maphosa, Thokhozani Dube, Emmanuel Khoza, Muzi Khumalo, Herbert Ndlovu, Moses Ndlovu and Govera who spoke to Nehanda Radio. The group has been denied bail and has been in prison for nearly three years and still do not have a trial date.

“We are not afraid of a trial but they don’t want to proceed with the case. We are the ones who told them to just sentence us if they see we are guilty. We have a legal aid lawyer but nothing is happening or changing. Our relatives are also not allowed to attend any of the court proceedings,” Govera told Nehanda Radio.

“Last time they told us that they can transfer the case to Durban because they can’t manage it here. But so far nothing has happened,” he added.

Contacted for comment, the lawyer who is meant to be representing the group told Nehanda Radio “I have many judicare clients of foreign origin. I am not sure which ones you are talking about.”

Prodded further and given more details he said “with regards to my clients on that matter I have fought to push that the matter should be tried this year and that is what is happening.”