Howard Hospital violence case postponed again
Villager shows some teargas cannisters used by police on nursing staff during the protest
By Alex Bell
02 November 2012
The trial over a violent protest in Chiweshe in August continues to limp forward, with the case being postponed once again.
20 people, including eight nurses from the Salvation Army run Howard Hospital, were originally being tried in connection with the protest, organised by angry residents over the dismissal of the hospital’s chief doctor.
Almost three months later the case is still before the courts. 16 members of the accused group were acquitted last month because of a lack of evidence. But four individuals still remain on remand, with the case now only set to resume next week.
Meanwhile there is ongoing speculation about what the future holds for the hospital, which local residents have told SW Radio Africa has not returned to its usual standards since Dr. Paul Thistle was dismissed.
The doctor’s removal caused outcry, because of the work he had done to turn the Howard mission into a highly respected medical facility. He was also considered a valued member of the community, after living there for more than 16 years.
His dismissal, which the Salvation Army has insisted is a standard ‘reassignment’, is understood to be linked to concerns he raised about financial mismanagement at the Zimbabwe chapter of the church group. An investigation was launched after Dr. Thistle was forced out of the hospital, but the Salvation Army insists nothing irregular was found during this audit.
These results have not been made public. But questions have since been asked about what was really discovered, following the subsequent ‘reassignment’ of the Zim Salvation Army chief Vinece Chigariro. She has been reassigned to Kenya.
Dr. Thistle remains in Zimbabwe, but has not been allowed to return to the hospital. It is not clear what his future holds either, but SW Radio Africa has learned he plans to return to his native Canada with his family over Christmas.
A source in Chiweshe said on Friday that there is widespread speculation that Dr. Thistle will return to Zimbabwe after Christmas to head another medical facility.
The Salvation Army is yet to make any further comment about the situation.
To contact this reporter email alex@swradioafrica.com or follow on Twitter
3 Responsesto “Howard Hospital violence case postponed again”
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This is all Mugabe`s assignment to do away with white people. This man is trying to destroy Zimbabwe before he passes away. People of Zimbabwe will never surrender to fight against this devil until he surrender power to Morgan Tsvangirai, the people`s choice.Everything has its own ending, people may suffer but time will come for a rest.
This is turning out to be a live version of “Vanavangu vapera neChinhu Chirimugomo”. The moral of the story is that the monster from the mountain was none other than Zimbabwe’s own despotic Emperor transformed by God (Mwari).
Unotaura sewakatsika pfuti shamwari. But the bottom line is if people incite violence, government will not fold its hands when the ill-informed take the law in their own hands. Even if Tsvangirai becomes the Head of State, which I doubt anyway, he will ensure that all citizens abide by the laws of the country. You may not like the Head of State in this country but for as long he is still the leader of this country, he shall carry out his mandate to the full until he is voted out by the people of Zimbabwe. If you do not like Mugabe as you have clearly demonstrated above, vote him out in March 2013. You talk like a village chief with no formal education. Learned people know that a despotic leader is removed from power through constitutional means and not at the whim of an individual who is not even known by members of public. Having said all this, I must say your views are highly despicable to say the least.