Mental patients over-detained at Chikurubi, Mlondolozi

Close to half of mentally-ill inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security and Mlondolozi prisons, who are due for release, are being detained longer than expected because the Health Tribunal Review Board has not been meeting to assess their incarceration.

Acting chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, Mathias Tongofa, revealed this yesterday during a meeting of the committee to discuss mental health issues.

“During our visit to the Chikurubi and Mlondolozi, we were told that there are outstanding cases of close to half mentally-ill inmates that required reviews from the board, but were on hold because the Health Tribunal Review Board had not met,” he said.

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