ZLHR seek to reverse Makaza release on amnesty

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on Friday filed an application at Harare High Court, seeking an order for the issuance of arrest for rape convict Bobby Makaza.

ZLHR lawyers, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Paida Saurombe are representing the 15-year-old minor who was raped by Makaza.
Makaza was recently released from prison through a presidential amnesty.

In a statement, the organisation said the Commissioner-General of Police should execute the warrant of arrest for Makaza.

“We have asked the High Court to declare as unlawful the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services decision to release Makaza from prison after being convicted in 2019 and just having served some few years of his prison sentence.

“We want the High Court to order the CG of the Police to redirect his officers to execute the warrant of arrest,” ZLHR said.

The 15-year-old minor was raped by Makaza in 2018, who stood trial at Murehwa Magistrates’ Courts 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-year prison term on April 2, 2019.

Makaza had served four years of the 16-year sentence.

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