Government averts diarrhoea crisis at Khami Prisons

GOVERNMENT donated 700 bottles of water purifier and also undertook to drill three boreholes at Khami Prisons Complex following a recent diarrhoea outbreak, which affected inmates, and staff at the complex.

Also donated were gumboots, raincoats as well as gloves. The donated goods were presented to the acting Officer Commanding Bulawayo Prisons, Assistant Commissioner Priscilla Mthembu, by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo at Mlondolozi Female Prison on Tuesday.

Minister Moyo visited the prison complex on a fact-finding mission, which also included a familiarisation tour of the facility’s massive farming projects.

Khami Prisons is running an enviable integrated farming model which is also providing supplementary feeding for over 4 000 inmates.

They have a successful farming project specialising in maize, cabbage, and lucerne grass production. Other projects include piggery, goat, cattle, sheep, and rabbit farming.

“We heard about the outbreak of diarrhoea in the complex, which affected some of you as well as members of staff. Government through the assistance of some of our partners, saw it prudent to be hands-on by coming up with mitigatory measures to avert health disaster,” said Minister Moyo

“I brought with me 700 bottles of water purifier and I also brought personal protective equipment (PPEs). We will also drill three more boreholes at Khami Prison Complex and equipment has already been procured.”

Soon after the tour, Minister Moyo briefly addressed Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers at Khami Maximum Prison.

“The approach that was taken by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service in 2013 advocating for a rehabilitative centre has promoted empowerment of inmates with various skills some of which we have seen today including animal husbandry, farming, and goat rearing to mention a few,” he said.

“This approach has synced well with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no place and no one behind as we build our nation towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030 as always advocated for by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Moyo.

Khami Prison Complex comprises Khami Maximum, Khami Medium, Khami Remand, Khami Workshop and Mlondolozi Mental Health Institution.

Presently, the facility has a population of 4 187 inmates.

Minister Moyo, who is also the MP for Umguza, pledged to push for the rehabilitation of the road leading to Khami Prisons, and access to clean water among other critical services.

Asst Comm Mthembu said they have a number of agro-based projects that are running to supplement the diet of inmates including empowering them with various skills.

She said the projects at the farm are meant to provide the nutritive and rehabilitative needs of inmates. According to sections 50 and 52 of the Prisons Regulations Act, inmates have a dietary scale.

“We believe that the various rehabilitation programmes will help inmates and their families contribute to the country’s economic growth in line with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy ‘Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” said Asst Comm Mthembu

She said on the rehabilitative aspect, they impart good agricultural practices to inmates so that they successfully reintegrate into society upon release and reduce unemployment and recidivism.