Tinotenda Hove- Three inmates at Chikurubi Prison’s Psychiatric Unit have been arraigned before the courts on murder charges following the death of a fellow prisoner they allegedly restrained and suffocated.

Tafadzwa Musenami, Panashe Mategude and Godfrey Zikumwa appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo on Friday.
The magistrate advised the trio to approach the High Court for bail.

The State alleges that on August 6, the three accused were sharing Cell 9 at the Chikurubi Prison Psychiatric Unit with the now-deceased Bornington Tanganyika.

According to the prosecution, trouble erupted at around 7.15pm when the accused allegedly accused Tanganyika of being violent and jointly restrained him.

The State claims the trio tied Tanganyika’s hands behind his back and his legs using strips made from blankets while he was lying face down on the floor.

“The accused persons then tied the complainant’s legs and hands behind his back using blanket straps while he was lying on the floor facing down,” the State alleges.

Prosecutors further allege that the accused covered Tanganyika’s head with his jacket and a towel, allegedly preventing him from breathing and resulting in his death.
The incident was later reported to the police, who arrested the three inmates in connection with the death.

The matter is now before the courts.