A British inmate is currently the talk of the town after her photographs from inside Zimbabwe’s notorious Chikurubi Prison spread like wildfire across the internet. The images of 21-year-old Taylor Tamara Simone emerged online following a visit to the facility by socialite and former inmate Mai TT. Simone, who was convicted on drug charges earlier this year, has found herself at the centre of an unexpected social media storm, with many Zimbabweans calling for her release and offering support.
The young British woman became an unwitting online sensation after her picture was taken during Mai TT’s highly publicised return trip to the Chikurubi Female Prison. According to the original social media posts, the image quickly captivated users. Many expressed shock and curiosity about her identity and the crime that led to her incarceration. A significant number of comments, seemingly captivated by her appearance, declared her innocence.The situation bears a striking resemblance to the case of Brazilian national Karoline Silver Mafra, who also went viral from Chikurubi in 2023. Mafra’s story, which also featured Mai TT, then an inmate, captured national attention. She had been acquitted of drug trafficking charges but remained stranded in prison because her lawyer had lost her passport and she lacked funds for a plane ticket. After her story spread online, social media users organised and paid for her airfare back to Brazil.
However, the circumstances for the British national are fundamentally different. Karoline Mafra had been discharged by the courts. Taylor Tamara Simone was found guilty. In August, Simone and another British national, Tihaise Darlin Elisha, were convicted of drug smuggling.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe reports that the pair were arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in May after arriving on a flight from Thailand. Authorities stated they appeared “suspicious,” which led to a search of their luggage.An official from the Zimbabwe Republic is quoted as saying:
“Officials found more than 66kg (145lb) of cannabis hidden in four suitcases belonging to the two accused.”
The court sentenced both Simone and Elisha to nine years in prison. The sentence included three years suspended on the condition of good behaviour, meaning they are expected to serve six years. This conviction makes a release similar to Mafra’s highly unlikely. When contacted by the BBC Newsbeat about the case, a UK Foreign Office spokesperson said:
“We are helping two British nationals detained in Zimbabwe and are in contact with the local authorities.”
The viral pictures have sparked a debate, but the solid conviction presents a significant legal barrier that public sympathy cannot easily overcome.
