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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A BULAWAYO man who was fined $50 for smuggling fuel from Botswana, has complained about unhygienic conditions at Plumtree Police Station holding cells. Opelant Ngwenya, 21, of Cowdray Park, said the filthy cells put the health of prisoners at risk. Ngwenya said he endured two nights in a filthy cell with toilets that had not been cleaned for a long time.

“The toilets in the police cells are in a terrible state. There is no running water and the toilets have not been cleaned for a long time. The stench in that place is unbearable,” Ngwenya said. He said what made things worse was that prisoners had to walk around barefooted. “The toilets are also in the same vicinity as the sleeping area which really poses a health threat to arrested suspects,” said Ngwenya.

He said there was a need to urgently address the issue of filthy cells at the police station. Ngwenya said suspects according to Zimbabwean laws were were innocent until proved guilty yet at Plumtree Police Station they are subjected to inhuman treatment. In response to the complaint, Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa, who presided over the smuggling case, promised that authorities would investigate the matter and if the complainants are true remedial action will be taken.

Ngwenya was arrested for attempting to smuggle fuel from Botswana through an illegal crossing point in Nxele area. He was convicted and ordered to pay $50 fine or in default 15 days in prison. The smuggled fuel was forfeited by the state. Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Ngwenya tried to smuggle 110 litres of fuel on Tuesday at around 11PM.

“Police officers based at the Plumtree Border Post received information that there was a person smuggling fuel at an illegal crossing point in Nxele area,” he said. “They proceeded to the area and found Ngwenya carrying 4 by 25 litres and another 2 by 5 litres of petrol and he was attempting to bring the fuel into the country resulting in his immediate arrest.”

Smuggling of fuel is common at illegal crossing points near the Plumtree Border Post as people buy petrol at a cheaper price in the neighbouring country to sell on the black market.