Many of them end up in Chikurubi prison where the cells are cold, the blankets are filthy and the toilets are in the crowded cells

A Zimbabwe court cpostponed for the second time the case of leading rights activist Jestina Mukoko and eight others.

Jestina Mukoko, who is to appear on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe, is being poisoned in custody, a media report said.

A Zimbabwean peace activist has been traced to a notorious maximum security prison despite a court order that she be taken to hospital.

Armed police took a leading Zimbabwean rights campaigner and eight activists to a maximum security prison on Thursday, defying a High Court order.