MDC torture victim still being denied medical treatment

By Alex Bell
16 November 2009

The MDC transport manager who was severely tortured after he was abducted by state security agents last month, is still being denied private medical care, in what his lawyers say is a ‘calculated’ and ‘deliberate’ act by the state.

Pascal Gwezere has remained behind bars at Chikurubi maximum security prison after he was finally brought to court, a week after he was abducted from his home. His lawyers have been fighting ever since for Gwezere to have access to private medical care as a result of the serious injuries he sustained after being tortured by his abductors.

But despite a court order issued more than two weeks ago, directing prison officials to allow doctors to examine and treat Gwezere, this has still not happened. According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Gwezere’s doctors said last week that a prison doctor, identified as Dr Makanza, who had agreed to accompany them to see Gwezere on Friday, did not show up.

Gwezere’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, has criticised prison authorities for denying his client access to doctors of his own choice.

“It (denial of medical examination) is calculated and deliberate,” said Muchadehama.