By Correspondent
Detained Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has reportedly fallen sick in remand prison and is suffering from fever, chest pains and a headache in a suspected case of Covid19.
Reports by his lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara said the suspended Mayor has received little medical attention endangering his life.
“The situation is bad.
“He was given antibiotics by prison doctors, but it’s not helping,” Bhatasara said.
“He has changed. He is in pain…now he is visibly sick.”
MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende reiterated the same information.
“Just been informed by a Prison Guard that our Detained Mayor Jacob Mafume is now seriously ill and requires urgent medical help. The situation is very bad.”
Mafume is in remand as he waits for a court date over accusations of trying to bribe a key witness in his pending criminal abuse of office case.
Arrested on 14 December, Mafume has been languishing in prison after he was denied bail by a Harare magistrate.
Commenting on the scenario MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa called for urgent availing of medical assistance for the Mayor.
“The right to health is fundamental for all citizens including even for those in prison.
“Mayor Mafume deserves proper medical attention by a doctor of his choice”.
Early this month Mafume’s lawyer Tendai Biti expressed fears of his client contracting Covid and requested that he be allowed to go for testing.
At the time Mafume, according to Biti was “displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
“He (was) not eating, was weak, had a fever and the court acknowledged that because you can tell even by just looking at him physically that he is not well.”
Mafume sensationally won the post of Harare Mayor after defeating an MDC-T candidate, Luckson Mukunguma late last year.
The elections followed the recall of Herbert Gomba who was the Mayor.
Political battles at Town House have drastically affected service delivery in the capital with opposition supporters accusing the ruling ZANU PF of instigating discord.
The ruling party has lately threatened to intervene in Council affairs accusing the opposition of running down the affairs of the capital.
Speaking in December President Mnangagwa said they would not stand aside and leave the MDC ruin the capital, a charge which the opposition has dismissed as cheap politicking.
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