HARARE – Ailing journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was dragged to court on Tuesday against medical advice, his lawyer said.

Chin’ono has been languishing in prison since July 20 after he was arrested for allegedly inciting Zimbabweans to engage in violent mass protests on July 31 with the aim of overthrowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

The journalist was seen by his private doctor at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on Monday after complaining of coronavirus-like symptoms, his lawyers said.

Advocate Taona Nyamukuru told Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna that despite the suspicions of a coronavirus infection, prison authorities had not taken any measures to isolate him.

They also ignored advice from his doctor that he should be isolated until results of his coronavirus test were known by taking him to court in leg irons for a routine remand hearing.

“His physician has said his symptoms are similar to those of a person suffering from coronavirus. His condition may be exposing everyone in the court room as prisons authorities forced him to come to court,” Nyamakura said.

“His condition requires him not to be in contact with other people until he is given the green light to do so by his physician.”

Chin’ono has been tested for Covid-19 by both state doctors and his own doctor.

Results are pending.

However, prosecutors accused him of faking illness.

The court was also told that the state doctor said he was not a threat to others despite confirming that he had a high temperature on Monday.

“We communicated with Dr Blessing Dhorobha at Chikurubi who indicated that Chin’ono complained of headaches with slight elevated temperature on Monday. The doctor has also told us that his condition is not a threat to others and is not synonymous with Covid-19,” said prosecutor Tendayi Shonhayi.

The magistrate ordered the state to bring medical reports by both doctors on next remand.

Chin’ono will be back in court for his routine remand on September 14.

The state said investigations are still underway and will be able to provide a trial date next time.

Justice Tawanda Chitapi of the Harare High Court will on Wednesday rule on Chin’ono’s latest bail application.

Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, who was also arrested on the same day as Chin’ono facing similar charges, will also learn if his latest bail bid has been successful before Justice Siyabona Paul Musithu.