Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
EX-CONVICT Takura Nyakabawu is a man who once escaped from prison.
It cost him a lot, after he was arrested, as he spent a decade in jail.
Now, he is a free man once again and claims that he is also a reformed man.
Last week, he returned to prison, not as a captured runaway convict, but as a free man revisiting his demons.
He attended a meeting for ex-convicts, stakeholders, and current inmates at Harare Central Prison.
He urged inmates not to tempted to try to escape from prison.
“In hindsight, I regret my decision to escape,” Nyakabawu said.
“The humiliation I experienced during my incarceration, and the lasting mark of a criminal record, are burdens greater than I had anticipated.
“A criminal record is a heavy weight to carry.
“I’ve seen many inmates, even those who received life sentences, regaining their freedom through amnesty or successful appeals.
“You are not alone in this journey.”
A former soldier, Nyakabawu now runs a poultry project after returning home from a stint in a neighbouring country.
Another ex-convict, Peter Jacob, recounted his own journey from a death sentence in 1998 to life in prison.
Then, in 2020, he was released through amnesty.
Deputy Commissioner General, Granisia Musango, said this was a very important meeting.
“By sharing your journeys – the struggles, setbacks, and victories – you illuminate the path for others who are preparing to reintegrate into society.
“This meeting is more than just an event, it’s a celebration of transformation and resilience.”
Musango highlighted the importance of community support.
“The true measure of any society is how it treats those who have fallen.
“Your presence here sends a powerful message to those still confined, change is not a dream, it is a choice.’”
Commissioner Christmas Tarwira spoke about the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service’s evolution from a custodial institution to a rehabilitative one.
“Today’s gathering signifies our commitment to innovative, evidence-based interventions that prioritise human transformation,” he said.
“Former inmates serve as role models, demonstrating positive behaviour and resilience.”
Reverend Rephat Nyarenda, a leader from the River of Life Church, called on religious institutions to play a vital role in the healing and reintegration of former inmates.
“The church must foster peace and support these individuals to reclaim their lives through self-help projects, enabling them to become employers rather than job seekers.”
derick.khumalo