By Staff Reporter
Brutalised human rights activist Robson Chere is yet to get treatment for “life-threatening injuries” he sustained after he was assaulted by suspected state agents who seized him from a plane last Wednesday, the court heard.
Chere was allegedly abducted from a plane by 12 men alongside his colleagues, Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi and Vusumuzi Moyo when they were about to leave for Victoria Falls last week.
They were subjected to interrogation and torture for hours and Chere was severely injured on his backside.
His lawyers said a doctor who attended to him before he was taken to court for his initial appearance recommended urgent treatment further highlighting that his condition was life-threatening as he risked kidney failure.
The presiding magistrate, Ruth Moyo ordered prisons to have Chere attended to on Saturday but nothing has materialised.
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Jeremiah Bamu, his lawyer, told journalists that they were told prison doctors are only available on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“So he is yet to see a doctor. He was last medically examined when he was in the hands of the police,’ he said.
In Court, the lawyers applied to have the prisons held in contempt for failing to comply with a court order.
The presiding magistrate ordered the prisons to have Chere treated, adding that the lawyers could request for him to be seen by private doctors if her order was not complied with.
Bail hearing proceedings only started towards 16:00 hrs on Monday.
Bamu said the state only wanted to punish their clients.
“You will note that whenever we start these court proceedings the prosecutors will take endless hours rumbling over worthless submissions thereby so as to delay time.
“They only start bail proceedings when we only have less than 30 minutes left which is a delaying tactic, they take this as a game. They simply want to prolong the suffering of the applicants,” he said.
The bail hearing continues Tuesday.
Anesu Chirenje prosecuted.
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