Opposition MDC Alliance’s youth leader and pro-democracy activist Makomborero Haruzivishe is reportedly being strangled in his sleep by fellow inmates at Harare Central Prison.
The party’s spokesperson advocate Fadzayi Mahere said Haruzivishe’s lawyers have escalated the matter with the prison authorities to ensure the safety of the former ZINASU leader. Said Mahere:
We have received complaints from Makomborero Haruzivishe that he is being attacked at night by “fellow inmates” who choke him.
When he asks what is going on, they act like they are in a trance or hallucination. His lawyers are engaging the prison services to make sure he is safe.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Chuma said they are interpreting this as a clear attempt on Haruzivishe’s life. Said Chuma:
We have received very unfortunate reports that Makomborero Haruzivishe’s life is in danger at Harare Remand Prison.
This is a clear attempt on our comrade’s life by the regime. History has taught us that Harare Remand Prison is a guillotine for activists and opposition members, in the past we lost Learnmore Jongwe and so many cdes under unclear circumstances.
It is in that perspective that we demand for unconditional release of Mako because the regime has failed in its duty to protect him as a citizen in line with constitutional provisions and rights of prisoners.
Makomborero has been in prison since April serving a 14-month jail term after being convicted of inciting public violence after he had demonstrated with colleagues demanding the release of ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore.
The pro-democracy campaigner has pleaded his innocence and was moved from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison to Harare Central by the High Court where he is now being strangled.
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