Posted as a comment “from SA”
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate and painful death of Rebecca Mafikeni.
Rebecca (30) passed on, on Monday 12 August 2013 at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where she had been detained since falling ill while incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Prison since her arrest in May 2011 on charges of murdering a police officer in contravention of Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 alternatively or concurrently Public Violence as defined in Section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
In prison, Rebecca was made to suffer the worst of prison’s inhumane conditions and some universally guaranteed human rights were stripped off the political prisoner as she spent close to nine months in solitary confinement at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. Prison authorities allowed her only 20 minutes a day out of the confined cell where in during these 20 minutes, she was expected to complete all chores human beings are expected of in a day – from laundry and bathing to exercising and just “enjoy” a bit of sunlight out of her dingy prison hole.
At one time, raw sewer would flow inside her prison cell and she would be forced to clean the sewer using her bare hands.
As a result of the malevolent and unjustified actions of the State, Rebecca languished in prison where her condition deteriorated.
Those implicated in, and responsible for her predicament are complicit in, and contributed to, her sad death. These architects of Rebecca’s death must be held accountable for the loss of such a precious life, and we call for an immediate investigation into her death and swift action against the perpetrators by the prosecutorial authorities.
It is cruel, unwarranted and unfair that such a well-lived life has ended in this needless manner. Only bringing the perpetrators to account will assist in ending this unacceptable culture of impunity.
It is ZLHR’s firm belief that bad things that happen to good people serve a greater good, and Rebecca’s death should teach us all something about standing up for what is right if we only let ourselves be taught.
There are no words to describe the despondency that we feel, and we cannot possibly imagine the shock and sorrow that has been thrust on Rebecca’s family, relatives and friends.
To the Mafikeni family, we are grieving with you at this sad moment as you traverse this difficult time in life.
May God give Rebecca eternal rest and may her soul rest in peace.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
COMMENTS
Deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Rebecca’s family; her friends and all those who loved her and will miss her. May her soul rest in peace.
Mugabe and his friends should be ashamed of himself.
To Rebecca and others whose lives were taken by ZANU PF in their quest to maintain power, to preserve their plundered weath and afford ARVs I say let your souls not rest until ZANU PF is brought to book.Ngozi dzese dzakarehwa pasi pano ngadzivavarire vasambofa vakawana rufaro kana rugare kusvika mweya yenyu yagutsikana.Only ghosts can defeat VAMPIRES masvetaropa eZANU PF.Liars who fabricate lies and try to force people to believe them, plunderers who reap where they did not sow. One day not so long from now you shall not be able to walk the streets of Zimbabwe.A time is coming when you will run and you will not find anywhere to hide.There shall be a time when the true spirits and sons of Zimbabwe shall laugh aloud again.Rebecca and many others, Zimbabwe shall hear your laughter coming from beyond the graves and they shall celebrate your lives by reburrying you with TRUE HEROES who like you fell at the hands of ZANU PF.