Zimbabwe prisons 'embarrassing'

The 2004 arrest of mercenaries put prison conditions in the spotlight

Zimbabwe's prisons and court system are "embarrassing and disturbing", says a recently appointed senior judge.

Justice Rita Makarau met 10 inmates in Harare Central Prison who had been there for up to 10 years without trial.

"We have no excuse for this delay - it is imperative prisoners who deserve to be released should not stay here," she told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

She ordered the attorney general's office to deal with the cases within three weeks.

Overcrowding and shortages of water and soap are also major problems in prisons.

In some cases fuel shortages mean prisoners cannot be transported to court.

The judicial backlog has not been helped by a staff exodus from the justice ministry in recent years, as people go overseas to look for work.