Zimbabwe court denies rights activist hospital treatment request

Zimbabwe's high court on Friday refused a request by a top rights activist detained on accusations of plotting to overthrow the government to be taken to hospital for treatment after alleged torture -- contradicting an earlier order by the same court. "The judge (Alphius Chitakunye) made the incredible order that if she should be taken to hospital it would be for purposes of examination otherwise she would be treated in prison," Beatrice Mtetwa, the lawyer for rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko, told reporters. Chitakunye's order was contrary to an earlier order by a fellow high court judge on December 24 that Mukoko and eight rights and opposition activists be released to hospital. "The law has completely broken down in Zimbabwe," Mtetwa said after the ruling on Friday. "(Even) if we go to another court we may well get a similar ruling." The court also dismissed contempt of court charges against the police for defying the high court order to release Mukoko and the others to hospital, she said. Mtetwa added that private doctors examined Mukoko last week and said she should be "immediately" admitted to an adequately-equipped hospital after it was concluded that she was tortured while in the custody of security forces. A representative of the attorney-general, Virginia Mabhiza, said: "The proceedings are going ahead on Monday. "The judge said she (Mukoko) remains in custody and can only go to hospital as and when it's necessary for purposes of examinations." Mukoko, a former state newscaster now director of Zimbabwe Peace Project, a rights group which has been documenting cases of political violence, was taken from her home on December 3 by a group of armed men and a woman who identified themselves as police. Her whereabouts remained unknown despite court orders compelling the police to search for her and she only appeared in court on December 24 together with eight others, most of them opposition activists including a couple with a two-year old child. They were charged with recruiting or goading other people to undergo military training in neighbouring Botswana aimed at toppling Mugabe's government. On Monday, nine more people appeared in court including five who were accused of sabotage and banditry. Two of them facing lesser charges were later freed. Some of the activists are opposition supporters who disappeared in late October, with authorities repeatedly denying that they were in custody until they began appearing in court last week. The case has highlighted Zimbabwe's deepening political crisis more than three months after Mugabe signed a power-sharing deal with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Mukoko's detention raised particular alarm among international rights groups and western nations which have accused Mugabe's government of intimidation and harassment. Their lawyers claim the activists were beaten after their arrest, and a magistrate on Monday ordered authorities to allow doctors to visit them in prison.