By Esnart Chingwalu

Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) has faulted the government for violating the rights of prisoners.

The blame comes as Zomba Central Prison has stayed for three days without running water due to unpaid bills.

Chimwemwe Shaba, spokesperson for Malawi Prisons Service told YFM Online on Thursday that the problem was due to technical error in processing payments of water bills at the facility.

Shaba added that authorities however tried to provide the inmate with water through cars from Zomba Prison Headquarters.

“Currently the situation has been sorted out which we are sure that it will run for a month as we continue sort the problem fully,” Shaba said.

But Victor Mhango, Executive Director for CHREAA described the development as worrisome and a violation of rights of inmates.

Mhango said time has come for the country to protect the rights of prisoners and address the challenges that they face.