MDC-T secretary for international relations and Minister of State in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Office Jameson Timba has petitioned Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda, requesting the closure of Matapi Police Station holding cells.
Timba said the holding cells at Matapi were not fit for human detention as the cells do not have decent and adequate washing facilities.
“Your Worship, you realise that I am an elected representative of the people. I would have failed in my duties if I do not bring this matter to your attention. I am therefore requesting that the city invokes the relevant by-laws and shut down this inhuman facility in the interest of public health until the relevant authorities have rectified the . . . inadequacies to your satisfaction,” said Timba.
Timba said his request was in tandem with a 2005 Supreme Court ruling that recommended Matapi and Highlands police station holding cells were “inhuman and degrading” and ordered the police to upgrade the facilities or they should not be used.
“If the holding cells are not shut down or the inadequacies pointed out by the Supreme Court are not rectified, then I will have no choice, but to approach the Supreme Court to seek the enforcement of its own order. As it stands now, any policeman who detains anyone at Matapi before the court order is complied with is in contempt of court,” he said.
Timba, who was detained at the police station last month for allegedly calling President Robert Mugabe a liar, blasted the conditions at Matapi.
“The conditions at Matapi holding cells are inhuman and degrading and constitute a threat to public health in that the cells do not have adequate washing facilities. There is no running water in the cells and the toilet is filthy, with human excrement and urine collecting in an open toilet bowl. The (police station does) not have good drinking water available in the cells,” he said.
