Harare - More than 50 people appeared in the High Court here on Wednesday seeking bail after nearly a month in Zimbabwe’s harsh Chikurubi maximum security prison.
They were arrested on August 26, during a legal demonstration protesting for electoral reform.
They were denied bail at the Harare Magistrate’s Court three weeks ago.
Jeremiah Bamu, from Zimbabwe Lawyers’ for Human Rights who represents many of those applying for bail said that conditions in Chikurubi are tough. “Several have complained that they are so squashed in the cells, that conditions are inhuman.”
One of those applying for bail to the High Court is human rights activist, Linda Masarira, who was brought to her first bail application at the Harare Magistrate’s Court in leg irons. But lawyers argued that the heavy irons were degrading and the court then ordered they be removed. Now she is being held in the male section of Chikurubi.
“The police say they are still investigating this case, but from our interviews none of those applying for bail was caught looting or caught with any looted goods or services. and they deny they participated in any violence,” Bamu said.
“Most of them say they did not know that the demonstration was taking place.”
Independent Foreign Service