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Veronica Gwaze
DURING the day, Reward Gwena blends in and appears like any other “normal” inmate at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
However, closer interaction reveals the living hell he endures.
As night falls, his life takes a dramatic turn.
He dreads the sunset. Incarcerated in 2021, Gwena had been convicted of murder and unlawful entry, and handed a 21-year sentence.
Since the time he was sentenced, the 36-year-old inmate has been tormented by nightmares, forcing him to avoid sleep, particularly at night.
Unfortunately, these nightmares persist even when he tries to sleep during the day.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Mail Society at the facility, he expressed deep regret for the “accidental” murder he committed in Buhera.
On that fateful day, he unlawfully entered a neighbour’s home with the intent to steal a cellphone and solar panel.
When caught by the homeowner’s son, he attacked the young man with the solar panel, causing fatal injuries.
The victim died at the scene, leading to Gwena’s subsequent arrest.
Since then, the murder convict has been unable to find peace. He frequently screams, throws punches and argues with unseen beings in his sleep, often requiring his fellow prisoners to wake him up.
“I cannot remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep. The man I murdered attacks me every time I try to rest. He forces me to carry a heavy solar panel, and if I refuse, he beats me up. This has made me avoid sleep altogether,” revealed Gwena.
“Considering what I am going through, I feel like the 21-year sentence is the least of my worries. I desperately need help. My health is deteriorating due to lack of sleep.”
Despite various churches in the country engaging in prison ministry, Gwena has sought divine intervention without success.
His situation is further compounded by the news of his grandmother’s death shortly after his incarceration.
Growing up in a disadvantaged family, Gwena, a Grade Three dropout, was raised by his grandmother.
As a young boy, he would often engage in petty theft within the community, but his grandmother was unaware of this. Her death has virtually extinguished any hope of receiving visitors in prison.
Since his incarceration, Gwena, who appeared dejected during a recent visit by football and music legends, has not had a single visitor.
He also revealed that his marriage collapsed on the day of his arrest.
The inmate still recalls vividly the heartbreak he experienced during a court hearing when his then-wife informed him of her decision to end their relationship.
“I have not heard a single word from my parents since that day and I do not blame them. When this all happened, I tried to hide it from them.
‘‘They were unaware that they had raised a thief and I did not want to hurt them. Perhaps they are bitter about my silence,” he said.
He believes spiritual intervention is necessary.
He wants his family and that of his victim to negotiate compensation and appease the avenging spirit.
However, his primary desire is for his parents to visit him, discuss his situation and help him avoid a potential family curse.
Given his parents’ ages, he fears they may pass away before he can resolve his predicament.
“They may be angry or bitter, but they are still my parents. I want to talk to them, apologise for the trouble I have caused and seek their guidance,” he said.
“Now, I create art here and have been designing portraits as a way to express my gratitude.”
The inmate still remembers the day he was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
“For some reason, I expected a lighter sentence. When the magistrate handed down a 21-year sentence, my world was shattered. I was drenched in sweat, my knees were shaking and all I wanted was to see my parents, ask for forgiveness and say goodbye.”
In a world filled with mysteries, will Gwena ever be able to free himself from the “spiritual prison” that ostensibly haunts him?
Online Reporter