Feared criminals now agents of change

THEY once terrorised communities through armed robbery, carjacking and murder, crimes that condemned them to decades behind prison walls and earned them the stigma of being among society’s most feared men.

Today, however, five former inmates released from Khami Prison under a Presidential amnesty granted by President Mnangagwa say they are determined to rebuild their lives and become instruments of economic empowerment, anti-crime advocacy and community transformation.

For years, prison cells, iron bars and chains defined their existence. Many lost contact with their families, missed funerals, watched children grow up from afar and carried the burden of guilt for the pain they inflicted on victims and communities.

But after walking to freedom under a Presidential amnesty that saw more than 4,000 inmates released, the five men now speak the language of redemption, responsibility and second chances.

Cuthbert Manjere (46), Allen Moyo (39), Khululiwe Mema (45), Richard Fambirayi (46) and Bichael Mpofu (51) have formed a new association called ‘Ex-Convicts for Economic Development (4ED)’, an organisation they say seeks to help former prisoners reintegrate into society while steering youths away from crime and drug abuse.

The five are among the first category of prisoners convicted of serious crimes such as armed robbery and murder to benefit from Presidential amnesty under the Second Republic, a move they describe as life-changing.

Sitting together and reflecting on their journeys, the former inmates spoke candidly about regret, transformation and their determination to reclaim their dignity during an interview with Zimpapers.

Now united under Ex-Convicts 4ED, the five former inmates say they want to rewrite not only their own stories, but also help prevent young people from taking the same destructive path they once travelled.

“I committed a series of crimes involving armed robbery and unlawful entry and my initial sentence was 53 years. However, after court remissions, I was left with an effective 30 years, which I was supposed to serve until my release on Presidential amnesty last year in December,” said Manjere, now chairperson of Ex-Convicts 4ED.

“I had spent more than two decades behind bars when President Mnangagwa gave us another opportunity to live again. Society had every reason to reject us forever and I am deeply grateful for the mercy and trust shown to us. I do not want to waste this chance.”

Manjere’s voice trembled as he spoke about the emotional toll of prison life. “There are things prison teaches you. You lose years that you can never recover. You lose relationships, opportunities and sometimes hope itself, but rehabilitation programmes and counselling made us realise we still have value as human beings,” he said.

Mpofu, convicted for carjacking and armed robbery in 2003, said prison became a place of painful self-reflection and transformation.

“When you are in prison for years, you reflect deeply. We saw lives destroyed, not only ours, but those of victims and our own families. We regret our past actions and today we want to be productive citizens who contribute positively to national development,” he said.

The former inmates said discussions about forming their organisation started while they were still incarcerated at Khami Maximum Prison on the outskirts of Bulawayo, where they participated in rehabilitation programmes, vocational training and counselling sessions.

Instead of returning to crime upon release, they resolved to support one another in pursuing lawful economic activities and rebuilding their lives.

Their immediate plea is for Government assistance through access to agricultural land and mining claims, which they believe would help them sustain themselves while creating employment opportunities for vulnerable youths and fellow ex-convicts.

“We are not asking for handouts. We want empowerment opportunities so we can work honestly and support our families. If we get land, we can farm. If we get mining claims, we can generate income and even employ youths who are vulnerable to crime and drug abuse,” said Mema, who was convicted of murder.

The former inmates say one of the greatest obstacles facing ex-convicts after release is economic exclusion. Without jobs, skills recognition, or access to capital because of their criminal records, many struggle to reintegrate into society and eventually relapse into criminal activities.

“People fear us because of our past. Some employers immediately reject us when they hear we were once in prison. Without opportunities, many ex-convicts end up going back to crime. We want to break that cycle,” said Moyo, secretary of Ex-Convicts 4ED.

The association also plans to spearhead anti-crime and anti-drug abuse awareness campaigns targeting schools, youth groups and local communities.

Fambirayi, who was convicted of armed robbery, said their lived experiences could become critical tools in discouraging young people from engaging in criminal behaviour.
“We know the pain of prison. We know what crime does to families and communities. Young people listen more when someone speaks from experience,” he said.

“We want to go into schools and communities telling youths that crime may look attractive at first, but it destroys lives. Drug abuse is also destroying many young people and pushing them into violence and robberies.”

The former inmates believe their testimonies can help save vulnerable youths from making the same mistakes that cost them decades of freedom.

Their initiative comes at a time when Zimbabwe is battling rising cases of drug and substance abuse among young people, with the Government increasingly calling for community-driven interventions to address the crisis.

“We cannot change our past, but we can change our future. What we want now is an opportunity to prove that even those who once lost their way can still contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s development,” said Manjere.