Ward 22 Nkulumane Councillor Mmeli ‘Bruce’ Moyo has been remanded in custody until August 30, 2024, as the State requested more time to investigate the ‘serious’ allegations made by his defence counsel.
Moyo’s legal team claims that the councillor has been denied fundamental rights, including visitations, food, and medical care, which have reportedly taken a toll on his mental health.
The legal team called for urgent intervention to protect his rights in prison, citing that the longer Moyo is held in custody, the more concerning his mental and physical well-being becomes.
The youthful councillor was arrested on August 1, 2024, for incitement to commit public violence. His arrest adds to the list of activists detained before the SADC Heads of State Summit, which begins on August 17, 2024.
Moyo’s lawyer, Tinashe Runganga, from Tanaka Law Chambers, expressed deep concern over the treatment his client has received while in custody during the case hearing, which was presided over by Bulawayo Magistrate Beverly Casmila Madzikatire on Friday at Tredgold Magistrates Court.
According to Runganga, Moyo has been denied visits by family members, violating his constitutional rights.
“He has been denied the right to basic commodities, yet it’s well-known that prisoners are allowed to receive food from outside,” said the lawyer.
“It’s also common knowledge that there are not enough basic commodities in prisons. When his relatives brought him food, he was denied it, unlike other prisoners who are allowed the same.”
Runganga further claimed that this denial of rights was due to orders from higher authorities.
“The explanation we are receiving is that these orders (denying him food from family) are coming from superiors. This is an infringement on his constitutional rights as enshrined in the constitution,” said the lawyer.
“This is now affecting him mentally.”
Moyo’s defence counsel is seeking the court’s intervention to ensure their client is allowed basic necessities and essentials.
“He is still presumed innocent, but what he is going through is punishment,” Runganga asserted.
The lawyer also revealed that Moyo has been unwell but has been denied access to medical attention.
“There is a clinic at Khami Prison, but it is disturbing and shocking that only the accused is denied access to this facility because, for him to receive care, it requires an order and authorisation from superiors,” Runganga said.
“Why is he treated differently if other prisoners are allowed to seek medical care at Khami?”
During the case hearing, which saw Moyo remanded in custody until August 30, 2024, the courtroom was attended by prominent figures, including Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, Nkulumane MP Desire Moyo, and other opposition members.
After the hearing, Coltart attempted to engage with Moyo and his legal representative, but a man in plain clothes intervened, asking them to leave.
Coltart, visibly frustrated, responded, “I asked this man who he was because he didn’t want me to engage with Moyo, yet I am a legal practitioner,” emphasising his long-standing service as an officer of the court.
Opposition member Swithern Chirowodza also voiced his disappointment at the outcome, stating that it was unsurprising.
“Well, it’s consistent with what we know of the Mnangagwa regime. The regime is brutal and callous,” he said, and criticised the magistrate for not prioritising Moyo’s welfare.
“There is absolutely no empathy, and for now, what is in abeyance is Bruce’s constitutional rights. The magistrate should have prioritised that, but as you can see, he has been remanded inside so that his suffering continues. This is a tragedy of the Lacoste government.”
Chirowodza added, “This is one of the issues that patriots like Dumiso Dabengwa, who led the liberation struggle from the front, found very revolting about the Lacoste regime. We stand today to resist this type of oppression.”
