Ronald Mpofu in Plumtree
FROM prison cells to spiritual renewal is the story of 45 inmates who were baptised yesterday at Plumtree Prison in a programme aimed at giving them hope, strengthening their faith and preparing them for life beyond incarceration.
The baptism service, organised by the Plumtree District Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in partnership with the Jesus Behind Bars organisation from Bulawayo and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), also saw inmates and prison officials receive Bibles and religious books.
Among the most moving testimonies came from retired SDA pastor and evangelist Dumisani Nkomo, who spent 14 years in prison before his release in 1996 and eventual calling to ministry.
Drawing from his own experience, Pastor Nkomo implored inmates not to regard imprisonment as the end of their lives, saying personal transformation was possible even behind bars.
“As you all see me standing before you today, it is hard for someone to tell that I was once in prison. I served 14 years at Khami Prison and I was released in 1996.
“While I was still in prison, I accepted Jesus, and when I came out, I became a pastor under the SDA,” he said.
Pastor Nkomo said Jesus Behind Bars worked with correctional facilities to help inmates rebuild their lives and supported former prisoners facing challenges after release, with the aim of reducing repeat offending.
The church donated 128 copies of the New King James Version of the Holy Bible, 116 copies of The Desire of Ages and 59 bottles of Vaseline petroleum jelly to the prison.
It also pledged to assist the institution by drilling a borehole and providing a JoJo water-storage tank.
Plumtree Prison Principal Correctional Officer (PCO) Leanington Moyo welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that its impact would extend beyond the prison walls.
“We welcome you all to Plumtree Prison. I believe this service will be of great change among our inmates, not only while they are still here, but even after they leave this place,” he said.
PCO Moyo said the participation of a female inmate in the latest baptism was encouraging, noting that no women had participated during the previous service.
Matabeleland South provincial chaplain for ZPCS, Chief Correctional Officer Mthokozisi Sibanda, said the initiative complemented the correctional service’s rehabilitation mandate.
“This is in line with our mandate of rehabilitation. Baptism is spiritual rehabilitation. This is evident as inmates always join in numbers to receive this service. Today one female joined us. It shows improvement and success of this initiative,” he said.
For 26-year-old Lindiwe Dube, the service marked a new chapter in her spiritual life. Dube, who has been in prison for a month and whose case is still before the courts, said she had never been baptised before, although her mother is a member of the SDA Church in Nkulumane, Bulawayo.
She said she hoped to join her mother and other family members in worship after leaving prison.
“This is my first time being baptised. I have never been to church in my life, but my mother does. She worships with the SDA in Nkulumane, Bulawayo. As I have been baptised today, when I get out of prison, I will join my mother and other family members and go to church,” said Dube.
Another inmate, 57-year-old Misheck Banda, described the service as refreshing, saying he had voluntarily chosen to be baptised again after previously receiving baptism in the Roman Catholic Church.
“Today has been a very good day. I was baptised in the Roman Catholic Church, but I chose to be baptised again today. No one influenced me and I felt this would bring change into my life going forward,” he said.
Mondli Tshabangu (28) from Tshitshi Village in Plumtree welcomed the donated reading materials.
“I am a changed man now and whatever brought me here, I will not do it again. I am very happy about the Bibles and books we were given. I love reading the Bible, but I would have loved it more if
I got a Ndebele version,” he said.
