Pastor Paul Mackenzie and his co-accused caused a scene at the Shanzu Law Courts as they objected to the prosecution’s prayer to the court to have them detained for further 47 days.
The state investigators want more time to conclude their investigations before mounting a case against them.
However, through their attorney, Wycliffe Makasembo, Mackenzie and his 29 fellows argued against the plea, suggesting it inconvenienced them.
“My colleagues and I have made a decision. If you feel tired of me and my colleagues, we are ready to be taken to River Yala. We do not have a problem with that because I will die, and you, the prosecutor, will someday die like me. There is nowhere you can hide,” said Mackenzie, adding he has not opened any church inside the prison.
The doomsday preacher emphasized in his plea to the court that he was not sharing these issues solely to secure his freedom, but for the court to intervene and save him from the tribulations.
“I am being held in a dark room, and my request for at least an hour in the sun has been flatly denied. I feel unheard and ignored, and I am not sure where else or who I can turn to for help. If I go to the prosecution for help, they will reject me because they see me as radicalized,” he explained.
Furthermore, Mackenzie, through his advocate Wycliffe Makasembo, has expressed concerns about the prison authorities’ violations of their rights, isolation, and discrimination.
“Mackenzie is being served special meals that he fears may be contaminated with intent to harm him. Previously, all of the suspects ate together, but following the court’s visit to the prison, he was isolated and is now being served special meals alone,” said the advocate.
Mackenzie and his associates have threatened to go on hunger strike again in protest of their treatment in prison.
“If these people go on hunger strike again, the prosecution will be held accountable. I pleaded with them to be good people, and they heard me, but it is unfortunate that the prosecution wants to take us back to where we started,” Mr Makasembo said.
