Correspondent|Incarcerated former legislator Munyaradzi Kereke has challenged Norton member of parliament Temba Mliswa to prove his claims that he impregnated his wife while in prison.
Mliswa alleged that Kereke had impregnated his wife Rachel and had preferential treatment in prison to the extent of being afforded his conjugal rights which is a complete negation of the law.
Mliswa on his twitter handle said:
“In a conversation overheard by a prison guard between Kereke and his younger wife’s sister, word has it that whilst in prison Kereke has impregnated his younger wife.One is left wondering where the act took place and why is he being given preferential treatment, why not let others too?“
These allegations compelled Kereke to seek the intervention of the Speaker of Parliament asking him to direct Mliswa to issue a public apology.
Kereke instructed his lawyers Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys to write a formal complaint letter to the Advocate Jacob Mudenda asking him to reprimand Mliswa.
In a letter dated November 5 and seen by the Mail and Telegraph, Kereke states that Mliswa’s allegations are “categorically false,malicious and unwarranted.”
“Our client’s right of Human Dignity as enshrined in the constitution of
Zimbabwe has been violated on the podium of parliament.
“We have been instructed to pray that Hon. Speaker strongly reprimands Hon.Temba Mliswa and direct forthwith that he apologises publicly to our clients or he put to the strictest proof to substantiate his injurious allegations. He who alleges must prove the factual foundation of his allegations,” read part of the letter.
“Parliament is the anchor guarantor of constitutionalism and protection of fundamental human rights. As such, it must not be taken lightly when Hon Members violate people’s rights in the discharge of parliamentary duties.
“A very strong and clear message must be sent out to Hon Temba Mliswa,” further reads the letter.
In 2016, Kereke was slapped with a 14 year jail term with four years suspended on condition of good behaviour for raping his 11 year old relative at gunpoint.
He has made several attempts to gain freedom but all applications hit a snag.
Meanwhile, the issue of conjugal visits in Zimbabwe’s prisons has been a subject of debate for a long time.
Some people argued that Parliament should appreciate that when one is jailed, it is meant to be a punishment for that particular offender not their family.
Spouses cannot be collaterally punished for the ‘sins’ of their husbands or wives by denying them their conjugal rights during the time the spouses are in jail.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner Paradzai Zimondi is on record for saying he is simply following the constitution and once conjugal visits are allowed at law, his organisation will comply.
M&T