By Jane Mlambo| MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has tested positive to COVID-19 following her week long detention at Chikurubi Maximum prison.

Mahere confirmed the news on her Facebook account saying she tested positive to the deadly coronavirus despite having been put in isolation cells at Chikurubi maximum prison during her detention period.

“Despite having been in an “isolation cell” and the “quarantine section” at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, I have tested positive for COVID-19, following seven days of pre-trial incarceration,” she said.

Mahere bemoaned the deplorable prison conditions while calling on those with authority to look into the state of Zimbabwe prisons.

“They don’t even have the most basic need – running water. This is before we look at soap, sanitizer, clean masks and proper facilities to enable social distancing. Their lives matter. I call on those with the authority to change things to look at the state of our prisons and respond accordingly. COVID-19 is affecting us all. Now is the time to show leadership, pragmatism and humanity,” added Mahere.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 continues to claim lives with over hundred people dying in the past two days.

Today the nation woke up to the news of the death of Foreign Affairs minister SB Moyo who becomes the third minister to succumb to the global pandemic.