To make matters worse, senior government officials have discredited
themselves – and the government they purport to serve – by denying the
reports.
It must be noted that there are two different issues here – these men,
Patrick Chinamasa and Paradzai Zimondi, are not just in a state of
denial – they are lying. Let's not beat around the bush here.
If the SABC film was taken in some other African jail, as Chinamasa
claims, why have three prison officers, Thabiso Nyathi, Siyai
Muchechedzi and Thembinkosi Nkomo, been arrested by Prisons internal
security and detained – accused of assisting the SABC in the making of
the shocking documentary? Two of these officers are from Beitbridge
Prison and one from Bulawayo. They are to be charged under the Official
Secrets Act.
What is needed right now is for the ministry of justice and the prison
authorities to invite the Red Cross, journalists and human rights
observers to tour the country's prisons to see for themselves what the
true position is. We understand 20 people are dying every day in our
country's 55 prisons. For as long as the government maintains a blanket
of secrecy and deception, the world will choose to believe the SABC film
What is more, the relatives of prisoners visit these prisons and see
the state in which their loved ones are being held. Many Zimbabweans
have been incarcerated in these prisons, some of whom are MDC members
now sitting in Parliament. They have had first-hand experience of
Zimbabwean jails. Why are they not speaking out now? Surely they have
come to positions of authority for such a time as this?
Their silence is disturbing.
We commend SABC for this excellent piece of journalism. The truth must
be told, no mater how unpalatable. Only when it is will we begin to
regain the respect and assistance of the international community.
WORD
"Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to
the Lord, praise his name, proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all
peoples." – Psalm 96 vs 1-3 (NIV)