HARARE – Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa Wednesday cheekily evaded a question by opposition MPs on whether it was appropriate for Zimbabwean courts to drag critically ill Marry Mubaiwa from her hospital bed to face trial within the courts.
The MPs Johnson Matambo and Settlement Chikwinya asked this as a policy question on whether it was appropriate for patients who face trial to be wheeled to the courts.
They singled out the case in which Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s ailing ex-wife has been shunted between the hospital and courts to face trial over alleged attempted murder on her husband.
Mutsvangwa admitted patients who faced criminal offences should be treated humanely but asked the MPs to direct questions on Mubaiwa’s case to the Minister of Health.
Coincidentally, the health minister is Chiwenga, who is complainant in the case.
Matambo had asked Mutsvangwa – as Leader of the House on Wednesday – on “what is the policy regarding the rights of patients who are non-ambulant and bedridden?”
He added, “We still see patients who are still being dragged to answer criminal charges against them when they are in a bad state. Legally, a person whose is critical, certified sick is not allowed to consent and the same are being brought to the courts. What is Government policy regarding the rights of patients, for example the case of Mary Mubaiwa-Chiwenga?”
Chikwinya also asked Mutsvangwa to clarify government policy on whether critically ill and bedridden accused persons should be stretchered to face trial or it’s the courts that come to the person.
He also cited Mubaiwa’s case.
In her response, Mutsvangwa said issues on rights of the sick “are of importance to us”, adding, “We do not care wherever you are in hospital or at home…”
Mutsvangwa said “the policy of government is to make sure that the rights of patients are respected at all costs. If he (Matambo) has got a specific question, that can be directed to the Ministry of Health.”
Mubaiwa’s apparent harassment by the courts has elicited an angry protest from her lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa who felt the courts were being insensitive to her client’s plight.
