adminReason Razao Herald Reporter
The Chinese government has donated blankets worth over $5 000 to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Harare Central Prison on Thursday, Chinese government representative, Deputy Defence Attaché Mr Wang Gongg said the donation was aimed at strengthening relations with the Zimbabwean Government.
“We are donating about 500 blankets to this prison and this is a key work to the exchanges between the Chinese government and Zimbabwean Government. We want to improve the life of prisoners here,” said Mr Wang.
“Zimbabwe and China are currently enjoying good relations and the donation has come as a proposal from the Chinese embassy.
“The donation here was a proposal from the Chinese embassy and this is the first of many things to come. We want to make an example and we want to continue our donations in this area for the cooperation between our people and to work together to improve the life of prisoners.
“The next time we are here to donate, we also want to help improve the land here to help prisoners to get more products when they are doing farm work.”
ZPCS Assistant Commissioner Phineas Chitekuteku said the large population of prisoners was making it difficult to secure adequate blankets for all the inmates.
“It has been a challenge to the prison institution, looking at the population we have. It is quite a big population we have and we cannot cope,” he said.
“We are thankful to the Chinese officials, it is a big gesture to assist a prison and we appreciate this from our friends. Zimbabwe Central Prison has a holding capacity of 900 inmates and currently houses 833 inmates.
“Right now we are not experiencing any overcrowding but lately the numbers have been increasing.”
He also said that the prison was facing challenges in securing enough food and uniforms for its inmates.
Online Reporter