Zimbabwe: Rights Commission Raises Red Flag Over Inhumane Conditions At Harare Remand Prison

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) reports that inmates at Harare Remand Prison face degrading conditions.

On April 29, 2025, the ZHRC visited the prison to assess these concerns. They found prisoners living in severely inhumane circumstances.

ZHRC chairperson Jessie Majome spoke to journalists in Harare on Monday. She explained that the visit aimed to verify issues related to prolonged detentions. This includes those arrested for politically sensitive reasons.

Majome mentioned specific cases, including Blessed Mhlanga and 94 others from the March 31 protests. Mhlanga is a first-year law student who was arrested in February 2025. He faced charges of inciting violence after sharing a video by war veteran Blessed Geza. He spent 72 days in pre-trial detention and missed his exams.

Majome highlighted that political inmates are especially vulnerable to long detentions without trial. She stated that their rights are being violated due to prolonged pre-trial detention.

"The inmates live in inhumane conditions due to overcrowding," said Majome. Cells meant for 35 inmates often hold over 80, creating unsanitary conditions.

The ZHRC has urged the government to address these issues urgently. They called for immediate action on bail applications since it is a right unless there are compelling reasons for continued detention.

Majome also requested thorough investigations into police misconduct and accountability for abuses. Improvements in prison conditions, reduced overcrowding, better communication facilities, and adequate medical care were also recommended.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services attributed these dire conditions to resource shortages. A report from February 2023 confirmed major prisons across the country are overcrowded.

Harare Remand Prison has a capacity of 900 but currently houses about 1,485 inmates, including prohibited immigrants. Bindura Prison also faces similar issues; it holds 87 inmates despite a capacity of only 20.

As of April 2025, Zimbabwe's total prison population reached 22,878, exceeding its capacity of 17,000 inmates. The committee noted that this overcrowding results from courts frequently imposing custodial sentences instead of alternative options.