Seven prisoners die of hunger
Local News
August 30, 2008 | By Metro Staff Writer | © zimbabwemetro.com ⋅
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Seven inmates at Mutimurefu prison in Masvingo died of hunger related diseases,as the government reversed a food aid ban on Friday.
Zimbabwe Prison Services (ZPS) public relations manager, Gransinia Masango said the seven died on separate days last week.
The deceased are Pedzisai Muvengwa, Howard Erika, Patrick Bhumera, Cleopas Hasuma, Almon Dzaromba, Sikubekile Masuku and Joseph Mahumbile.
“It is true that some prisoners in Masvingo died, but not of hunger. I was informed that they were already ill,” said Masango.
However, top prison officials at the jail, revealed that the seven had suffered from malnutrition and later died for lack of a balanced diet.
“They died of kwashiorkor after spending a long time without a balanced diet…owing to the lack of food at most jails. The situation was also worsened by the fact that they did not get medical attention as most prisons do not have doctors, who fled the country citing poor remuneration and bad working conditions,” said a source.
He added that many other prisoners were suffering from Pellagra due to the food shortages as the authorities were now only providing one meal a day.
He said this was in addition to inhuman conditions in the country’s cells, such as lice infected blankets and same sex rape.
“It’s a disaster in the making, a time bomb ready to explode. Many prisoners are suffering from Pellagra. We used to provide three meals a day, but now they eat a daily dosage of vegetable soup or porridge once a day. If you have a relative detained, you better provide your own food everyday,” warned the prison official.
Other prisoners were getting pauper’s burials, as no relatives would have come forward to claim their bodies. Theres is no mortuary at Mutimurefu prison.
-VOP
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Africa and democracy-first people cry for good governance and democratic processes. Now anyone observing what is going on in south africa can see how things can easily be distorted. Zuma has a case to answer - all those corruption charges what have you. But now you have these idiots masquarading as his saviour and they want the case dropped- how is that democratic? We must all be prepared for the law when the time comes-no one is above the law including Zuma. If he is found guilty he must be bunged up for a long time because he committed a serious crime. Then he can forget the presidency. The anc youth want him set free—why? let the courts free him-as they say beyond reasonable doubt.South africa is one of the countries with these trade unions on mugabe’s case right now-we know why. This is one case where they have to prove that democracy is alive and kicking in south africa. Forcing the law to drop zuma case is a bad example. when he does get into power what would you expect from such a person? This is why africa is full of dictators. Morgan looks like one such person. the supporters have no bad word to say about him and yet he has made so many scuicidal blunders over the past year. but all they do is agree to what ever he chooses even if its against their wishes.
zuma must face the music-not because i hate him–no he is a nice chap. but because he has a case to answer in court. let africans practice democracy and obey the rule of law.The anc youth should wake up and wise up. the media should give us more coverage of these cases as they affect the politics of the region…SADCC.
mh@a scarface (or whatever you call your ugly self…)
The issue under discussion is not Zuma, it’s about ZIMBABWEAN PRISONERS DYING OF STARVATION.
ANYWAY YOU DESERVE MY FORGIVENESS. IT’S TYPICAL FOR YOU WATER-HEADED ZANOIDS TO ESCAPE REAL ISSUES. EVEN MUGABBAGE YOUR BRAINLESS TSAR SHAMELESSLY PILES INSULTS ON BUSH, BLAIR AND BROWN, EVEN AT FUNERALS, PARTIES, NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS, CHURCH GATHERINGS…. ON ANY OCCASION THAT HE GETS ROOM TO OPEN HIS MOUTH PEOPLE KNOW THAT ONLY ROTTEN INSULTS (WHICH HAVE NOW BECOME CLICHES) WILL COME FROM HIS 84 YEAR OLD PAIR OF LIPS.
Why did boboon not give the prisoners the so called laughable food hampers.At least the aid organizations can start to feed the starving millions again because the peoples own useless government can’t.This situation will continue untill the great MDC can take over the full control and running of the country so as to enable them to clear up and repair the unbelievable damage caused by zanu in their 28 years of complete and utter misrule of the once so magnificent Zimbabwe which was the envy of the world.If boboon thinks he can go it alone then let him.Zimbabwe has been so badly damaged that further damage will not make any difference.The good people of Zimbabwe will do their best to survive but Mr boboon, in five years time when you hold the next election zanu will be voted out by its own starving dying people by 100%.
mdc will govern chaos never before witnessed in africa.
Scarface.Yes the chaos created by zanu over the last 28 years because they had no idea on how to run a country in the first place.
IMI BABA -WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS READY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS? HOW MUCH ARE YOU BEING PAID BY THE MDC ? WILL THEY OFFER YOU A JOB IN GVT? CAN YOU TELL US HOW MORGAN IS GOING TO TURN THE ECONOMY AROUND? DONT STATE THE OBVIOUS BECAUSE BY REMOVING SANCTIONS OTHER THINGS WILL GET BACK TO NORMAL-LIKE AVAILABILITY OF FOOD ETC. ITS THE LONG TERM POLICIES OF SOLVING THE LAND ISSUE ETC-EMPOWERMENT BILLS -INDEGINISATION-PROTECTION OF RESOURCES ETC. DONT TELL ME THAT ZANU HAS FAILED- I KNOW WHY THE ECONOMY IS THIS WAY - JUST TELL ME THE MDC PLAN FOR OUR GREAT NATION. GO ON MR MDC CIO.
DONT TELL ME THOSE HOOLIGAN MPS ARE INTELLIGENT BECAUSE QUITE HONESTLY EVEN THE SPEAKER FAILED TO USE HIS INTELLIGENCE ON THAT DAY IN PARLIAMENT
Scarface.What is the most important thing that Zimbabwe requires to go forward? FREEDOM,FREEDOM and more FREEDOM. Freedom of speech.Freedom to start or run a company without interfearence from the government.Freedom to farm without been subjected to murder and intimidation from the landless poverty.Freedom to travel without been harrassed by the police for not knowing some wanked out slogan.Privatization of all the government controlled companies regardless of colour.Competition amongst business.
Now the police are begging for bread on the side of the road at police road blocks.Members of the ZNA are now openly disscusing turning against the zanu government and commanders due to hunger and a worthless pay packet.The rope is tightning for zanu.