7. Courts The ZHRC visited the following courts; Bindura Magistrates Court, Chitungwiza Magistrates Court, Chinhoyi Magistrates Court, Chegutu Magistrates Court, Kadoma Magistrates Court and Marondera Magistrates Court. 7.1. Arrests Effected and Detention During a monitoring visit to another institution8, ZHRC was advised that from the 14th to the 16th of January 2019, the police conducted visits in health facilities, identifying persons admitted or being treated for injuries, and arresting them as suspects of public violence. It was reported that in some instances some accused persons were then treated under heavy security after being identified with some being issued with arrest warrants. At another institution, ZHRC was advised that those who were arrested were taken from the neighborhoods where violence was more rampant, and were suspects by virtue of them staying in the vicinity of such areas. 7.2. Appearance before a court of law after arrest There were some allegations from relatives of accused persons that the accused were not brought before the courts within the stipulated 48-hour timeline. They alleged that some spend up to 4 days without appearing before the courts. Owing to the lack of cooperation, ZHRC could not verify these allegations with the police, to ascertain their authenticity. In terms of access to the courts, both Prisons and Court Officials confirmed that accused persons had been able to attend court as per their respective schedules with no challenges. 7.3. Legal Representation 8 Where there is a generalization or use of the word “institutions”, it is because the institution requested not to be named or identified. Page 57 of 68