ZLHR wants “Mnangagwa huchi” rapist back in prison

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, representing a 15 year old victim, are challenging Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service for releasing convicted rapist Bobby Makaza, 59, under the Presidential Amnesty when he was not eligible.

“ZLHR has demanded an explanation from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) over the irregular circumstances which led to the release of a convicted rapist from Harare Central Prison under a recent presidential amnesty order,” said the activist body in a statement.

Makaza who trended on social media with his “Mnangagwa huchi” phrase stated in the same video that he had been incarcerated over rape charges.

President Mnangagwa gazetted Clemency Order No. 1 of 2023 which saw the release of 4270 inmates from the country’s jails in May this year.

The statement said that ZLHR lawyers Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Paidamoyo Saurombe on behalf of the victim, are seeking a detailed explanation from ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu on why ZPCS contravened section 12(d) as read with 13(c) of Clemency Order No.1 of 2023.

According ZLHR using the quoted law section, Makaza being a convicted rapist, was excluded from benefitting from the presidential amnesty.

“Chinopfukutwa and Saurombe told Chihobvu that the 15-year-old minor was raped by Makaza in 2018, who stood trial at Murehwa Magistrates Court in Mashonaland East province on a charge of rape as defined in section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and was convicted and sentenced to serve an effective 16 years prison term on 2 April 2019.”

Makaza had served four years of a 16 year sentence.

ZLHR said that on behalf of their client, they are seeking to overturn Makaza’s release as it was not constitutional.