Harare, Zimbabwe — An inmate at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, Brian Shereni, 39, faces charges of aggravated indecent assault after allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow inmate.
Shereni appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa, who advised him to seek bail at the High Court. The case has been adjourned until November 11 to allow for the completion of investigations.
The complainant, a 36-year-old inmate at the same prison, alleged that on October 29, at approximately 5 a.m., Shereni took advantage of his sleep and vulnerability, assaulting him without his consent.
According to the report, Shereni, who was sleeping near the complainant, reportedly carried out the assault while both were naked, disturbing the complainant’s sleep in the process.
The situation quickly escalated when the complainant awoke, screamed, and drew the attention of other inmates, who intervened. The incident was subsequently reported to the prison’s senior inmate staff, who informed Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officers. Following standard protocol, ZPCS personnel filed a formal report with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at the Highlands station.
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Sexual assault cases within prison facilities pose complex legal and human rights challenges. These incidents not only spotlight prisoner safety but also raise critical questions about supervision and security in maximum-security facilities, where individuals are already experiencing the high-stress, restrictive conditions of incarceration.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service has not released a statement concerning the case but is expected to review security protocols in response to the allegations. Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, one of Zimbabwe’s most secure facilities, has faced scrutiny in recent years regarding the welfare and safety of its inmates, with advocates pushing for increased reforms within the correctional system.
Shereni’s bail request, if granted, will be determined by the High Court in the coming days.
Meanwhile, prison authorities and legal professionals are closely monitoring the case, awaiting further evidence as the judicial process unfolds.
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