Correspondent

Under persecution MDC Alliance Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe has challenged at the High Court a ruling by magistrate Bianca Makwande who committed her to prison for two weeks.

The magistrate last Thursday committed Mamombe to Chikurubi Prison to allow her to get examined by mental health doctors at the institution ahead of her trial at the same courts.

However, through her lawyers, she wants the decision to be set aside.

“The application by the state for the committal of the applicant for medical examination by two medical practitioners be dismissed,” her application reads.

The lawmaker also wants the respondents to bear the costs for the suit.

Makwande ruled that facts before the court clearly showed Mamombe was mentally disturbed but could not conclude that she was sick because she is not an expert.

“The court is not an expert on mentality and it requires expert advice to ascertain if the diagnosis will affect the trial.

“The court should exercise its jurisdiction judiciously and feels that section 26 should be invoked,” said Makwande adding Mamombe should be examined by neutral doctors who will give independent reports.