Zimbabwe Prisons Dismisses Reports Hopewell Chin’ono Is Ill In Prison
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has dismissed reports award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono is ill in prison.
Chin’ono is in custody for inciting public violence.
ZPCS spokesperson Superintendent Meya Khanyezi told The Herald that Chin’ono is being treated like every prisoner.
She said even though ZPCS has its own medical team, Chin’ono will be allowed to be attended by a doctor of his choice even after he had been attended to by resident prison doctors.
“As far as we are concerned, he is well, but to our surprise, social media is awash with unconfirmed reports that he is not well. However, as the ZPCS we have allowed his personal doctor to go and see him,” she said.
Khanyezi said they granted the request by Chin’ono’s lawyers to have him attended by his personal doctor even though the journalist did not exhibit any signs of illness.
Savanna News yesterday reported that Chin’ono was tested for covid-19.
His lawyer Douglas Coltart said Chin’ono was exhibiting symptoms that are consistent with covid-19.
Coltart confirmed Chin’ono saw a private doctor and they were awaiting test results.
On Wednesday, a Harare High Court judge will rule on Hopewell Chin’ono’s fourth bail appeal.
He has been detained for almost 6 weeks since his arrest on July 20.
Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
Their lawyers said they were being denied access to their clients.
In response, the ZPCS said this was one of the measures it had taken to minimise contact between inmates and the outside world so as to curb the spread of covid-19 in prisons.
ZPCS further said it ceased in-person visiting of prisoners for the safety of staff, prisoners and the public.
Zimbabwe’s prisons have not been spared from the covid-19 pandemic with a number of inmates and prison officers testing positive for the novel coronavirus.
ZPCS has recorded cases in Beitbridge, Plumtree, Masvingo, Whawha and, Bulawayo.
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