harare24dmin Inyathi — Tension flared at Inyathi after controversial businessman Francesco Marconati, who was recently denied bail by the courts, reportedly demanded to be airlifted to Khami Prison, citing health concerns linked to complications he alleges arose from a previous COVID-19 infection.
According to multiple witnesses at the scene, Marconati objected to being transported by road, arguing that the condition of the road network and the nature of ground transportation posed a serious risk to his health. His demand is said to have caused a stir, attracting the attention of court officials, police officers and members of the public present at Inyathi.
Marconati’s live-in partner, Kimberly Pikinini, who reportedly holds a Light Pilot Licence (LPL) and flies a Cessna aircraft registered Z-MTJ, supported his claims. She is said to have argued that Zimbabwe Republic Police vehicles lack air-conditioning and are excessively rough, insisting that Marconati could not endure such travel given his medical history.
Her remarks reportedly triggered an angry reaction from onlookers, with several members of the public accusing Marconati of seeking preferential treatment unavailable to ordinary remand prisoners.
One witness, Mehluli Moyo, who said he observed the incident, described the scenes as disturbing.
“This was pure entitlement,” Moyo said. “Every day, sick people are transported in those same police vehicles. No one asks for planes. The law must apply equally, whether one is rich or poor.”
Another resident, Thabani Ncube, echoed the sentiment, describing the demands as insensitive.
“If the High Court has denied him bail, then he must be treated like every other remand prisoner,” Ncube said. “Prison is not luxury travel. People with serious illnesses endure far worse without complaint.”
Sbonginkosi Dube, who was also present, accused Pikinini of undermining state institutions.
“To suggest that police vehicles are not good enough is disrespectful,” Dube said. “Security procedures exist for a reason. You cannot start flying remand prisoners because someone claims discomfort.”
Several observers warned that acceding to such requests could set a dangerous precedent and undermine established security protocols of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service.
Marconati is expected to be held at Khami Prison, one of the country’s main remand facilities, following the High Court’s refusal to grant him bail.
Efforts to obtain comment from Marconati’s lawyer, Mr Urira, were unsuccessful at the time of publication, as he could not be reached. Attempts to get a response from the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, also yielded no response.
Public concern continues to grow, with calls for the rule of law to be applied firmly and without fear or favour, amid insistence that no individual should receive special treatment while in lawful remand custody.
