Seven prisoners die of hunger
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
Posted by Wellington Chadehumbe
on August 30, 2008. Filed under Local News.
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