Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
IN a bid to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to treating inmates with dignity by permitting a serving prisoner to attend his mother’s burial under strict supervision.
On Tuesday, a delegation of five ZPCS officers from Manicaland Province escorted an inmate, Tinashe Fifitini, who is currently held at Mutare Remand Prison, to Nyamande Village in Nyanga District under Chief Saunyama, where he was able to pay his final respects to his late mother.
This gesture, according to ZPCS officials, underscores the institution’s ongoing efforts to move away from a purely punitive model towards a correctional and rehabilitative approach—one that acknowledges inmates as members of society with the capacity for reform.
Speaking in an interview, Manicaland Provincial Rehabilitation and Reintegration Coordinator, Correctional Officer Grade Three (CO3) Edwell Mariga, explained that the initiative was carried out in line with Section 169 of the Prisons and Correctional Act, which permits inmates to attend funeral proceedings of close relatives under prescribed conditions.
“As Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, we allow inmates to attend funeral proceedings of their close relatives in line with the law. From a Pan-African perspective, rehabilitation is, not only about discipline and skills training, but also about preserving family ties and human dignity,” said Mr Mariga.
Mr Mariga said such gestures play a critical role in preparing offenders for eventual reintegration into the society, as they reinforce social values and cultural identity.
“Moments like these help offenders reconnect with society, which is essential for successful reintegration. It makes inmates understand that they are still part of the community and that their cultural beliefs and systems are respected,” he said.
He added that inmates attending such occasions are closely supervised and escorted by officers drawn from various sections within ZPCS, including chaplaincy, rehabilitation, public relations and security, to ensure order and compliance with set procedures.
“Inmates are given an opportunity to interact with their relatives under officer supervision, which helps maintain family bonds while upholding security requirements,” said Mr Mariga.
Tinashe Fifitini (36) is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence at Mutare Remand Prison for contravening the Wildlife Act, and is expected to be released in 2027.
ZPCS says such rehabilitation-focused interventions remain central to its mandate of correcting behaviour and fostering responsible citizenship among offenders.
