Finding God in prison, 340 inmates graduate in faith-based programme

FORMER death row inmate, Vusa Ndlovu looked forward to meeting other inmates, interacting with churchmates from Christ Embassy, reading the bible and praying every Saturday as the gatherings gave him hope and gradually, he let go of suicidal tendencies harboured since his death sentence for murder in 2012.

Ndlovu was yesterday part of the 340 inmates who graduated in a faith-based programme run by Christ Embassy at the Khami Maximum Prison. Every Saturday for three months, members of the church met the inmates at the Education Hall of the country’s second largest prison for Bible teachings, prayers as well as worship and praise sessions.

Unlike in the past when he was not allowed to meet other inmates, locked up in a small cell for nearly 24 hours a day and got just 30 minutes to stretch his legs and get fresh air, the former death row prisoner’s sentence was commuted to life in 2021.

“When I was on death row, I was not allowed to go to school like other inmates, was not allowed to mix and mingle with others but spent the whole day and night locked up in a single cell,” he said.

“After my sentence was commuted to life in prison, I started enjoying some privileges such as joining this programme and I looked forward to meeting other inmates, singing and praying every weekend.

“I no longer think about killing myself. The church has taught me to stay positive all the time even though I will spend my whole life in prison and will die here,” said Ndlovu.

For Timothy Munhare, spending time with church members of Christ Embassy for the last three months has been the best time of his life since he was locked up for car hijacking and armed robbery in 2017. He is left with 39 years in prison.

“I want to thank the church for showing us that despite doing wrong to society, we are still humans like everybody else. I joined this programme to find my spirituality again and I have learnt a lot from the meetings that we had every weekend,” said Munhare.

Knowledge Jonasi is serving 54 years in prison for armed robbery and through Bible teachings, he has found a family in Christ Embassy Church members.

He comes from Masvingo and doesn’t regret signing up for the programme as it gave him hope. In a speech read on his behalf, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services’ officer commanding Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Commissioner Mkhulunyelwa Ngwenya, hailed Christ Embassy for partnering with ZPCS in its efforts to rehabilitate offenders.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude towards the gesture by our partner Christ Embassy who took it upon themselves to train inmates on the biblical foundations as today we witnessed 340 inmates graduating with certificates in Foundation School.

“It’s a step we believe will offer a positive look at the social lives of the graduates. We have always reiterated that the rehabilitation of inmates is not the prerogative of the ZPCS but rather, a collective responsibility shared with members of the community.

“For us to be able to achieve the vision of becoming a leading correctional service provider in the region and beyond, a multi-faceted approach is inevitable where stakeholders ride off our gaps and fill them up accordingly,” said Comm Ngwenya.

“Our chaplain section works hard to offer the spiritual needs of the population in the correctional institutions but it is through such interventions by church organisations that their work is enhanced. Your work towards the transformation of mindsets among the inmates is not only visible to us but also to God whose reward shall be delivered at His appropriate time.

“At this point, I wish to say that may your territory be increased as you continue with the spiritual works wherever you go.

“Continue to do the best you have been called to do and also remember others who are not at this correctional facility.”

Christ Embassy’s Pastor, Rachael Sibusisiwe Buzuzi said: “‘Words are not enough to adequately give thanks to the boss of the church and the Holy Spirit for always giving us excellent guidance. We have been producing tangible results. I am indeed grateful to all those who have helped along the great path of faith that has led us here.

“Standing on the foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ, that our great Man of God has laid, it is a great privilege to be able to make our contribution to the greater good of our country and humankind at large,” she said.