By Nyashadzashe Ndoro | Nehanda Politics |
Incarcerated award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa on Wednesday told journalists that there is an outbreak of Bronchitis, TB and Hepatitis B at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison where her corruption fighting client is being kept.
Chin’ono appeared before High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi for bail appeal after he was denied freedom last week by Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
The journalist was arrested two weeks ago and charged with allegations of defeating or obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly tweeted that he had spoken with some members of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) who told him that alleged gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya was going to be granted bail.
Rushwaya, allegedly President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s relative and former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) boss was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport after she was caught attempting to smuggle 6.09kgs of gold to Dubai worth over USD$300 000.
Chitapi reserved judgement after both the state and Chin’ono’s legal counsel had finished submissions. He promised to hand down a bail ruling on Friday 11:30am.
But Chin’ono’s lawyer, Mtetwa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights was concerned that her client was being exposed to outbreak of diseases in the country’s biggest and most notorious jail, Chikurubi.
“We have argued the bail appeal basically saying that the magistrate misdirected herself in a number of facts. We are hoping the court will hand down a ruling in our favour come Friday.
“He is okay but we have an outbreak of Bronchitis, TB and Hepatitis B at the prisons. We are concerned,” she said.
Chin’ono is already on another bail after he was arrested on July 20 and charged with inciting violence in connection with 31st July protests against corruption in government. He spent 45 days at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison before being released by the High Court.
The investigative journalist played a crucial role in exposing alleged corruption by Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia and son Collins, the US $60 million Dax Covidgate scandal that saw the arrest and dismissal of former Health Minister Obadiah Moyo. Nehanda Radio
God punish the devil
Karma is good…showing Colin’s and them how their next home has in store for them
Dai vakangonyarara pawakabudiswaa ona manje zvinhu zvacho poor Hopewell
They want to kill him oh God no…
James Banda he is killing himself
Kudzi Sango wat do yu mean?
James Banda there was no need for breach of bail conditions knowing too well he will fall into the same trap. If the whole point is about the free exercise of his profession and bringing awareness to the effect that the law has to be respect for a journalist or any citizen who wishes to express themselves then why would one disregard the same law whose privilege and provision he is fighting for?
Kudzi Sango He knew he was not guilty of any wrong doing from the very start.
Robert Mushambi and he has the courts and a team of competent lawyers to present his arguments clearly. What was the point of breaching his bail conditions? I feel he has some publicity campaign he desperately is trying to run
Kudzi Sango one thing I have realised daddy Hope has a massive following and if you say anything contrary to his thinking you in trouble with the followers. Like you stated bail conditions are to be adhered to period.
Robert Mushambi ….’ he thought ‘
Robert Mushambi since you say he is smart, he knows how to fight his battles
Tembo Freza Pezo Never said he is smart. But said he knew he was not guilty of any crime.
Robert Mushambi According to you he’s innocent. Maybe at some point the judge will share the same thoughts with you.
Tembo Freza Pezo Do you think he is guilty of any crime?
Robert Mushambi I think he’s not. However, he underestimated his enemy. He lacks strategy. His moves and ways are easy to intercept.
Robert Mushambi he is guilty of breaking his bail condition. Now let’s not mix this case to the previous incaseration, he maybe found not guilty in the first case but that doesn’t allow him to disregard his bail condition.
Fighting a government single handedly will get you hyped on social media, those people are just followers and won’t follow you till the end. Good luck with the new edition but try make it a limited edition
Melusi Dhliwayo Idiot.
Itayi Tione atleast I’m not a follower and enjoy expressing my opinion unlike those that throw around insults as a way of reasoning.
But if they are Real Human Rights advocates they should fight for everyone in there because the Outbreak inobata all in mates. Hamupaonewo here ipapo
So it means they will fight for all the inmates to be released 🤔
Arikuda special treatment kujeri here