INMATES ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE

Arron Nyamayaro

SOME male and female prison inmates yesterday got an opportunity to attend a church service in Avondale.

The inmates were invited by AFM in Zimbabwe Harare West province overseer, Reverend Givemore Muzarurwi, of the Living Word Tabernacle, to share their testimonies with the congregation.

Dubbed ‘Prison Sunday Service’ a number of church members shed tears during the testimonies as inmates narrated how they ended up in prison.

Rev Muzarurwi told H-Metro that he appreciates ministerial work being carried by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) in the rehabilitation and re-integration of inmates.

“Prison inmates come from different communities, church denominations and other religious and traditional beliefs,” said Rev Muzarurwi.

“Prison Chaplains are doing a great work in the rehabilitation of inmates and I wanted the church to understand the life of inmates.

“The church has a role in shaping the community.

“We have seen that some of the inmates were active members of various churches, including AFM,” said Rev Muzarurwi.

Addressing church members, ZPCS Chaplain General, Dr Mauris Muchanyerei, said everyone was a potential inmate and this called for the need to join hands in the fight against crime.

“Let us join hands in the rehabilitation of inmates, fight crime and accept inmates upon completion of their sentences,” Dr Machanyerei.

“Anyone can be an inmate hence the need to treat released inmates as our relatives and friends.

“Yakatambika yakatambika asi jeri rinopera saka takumbirisa vagamuchireiwo kana vabuda kunze.

“By taking these inmates to church, we are expecting church members to play a big role in preaching forgiveness and unconditional love,” said Dr Muchanyerei. Inmates, who were treated to a breakfast outside prison, thanked Living Word Tabernacle Assembly for its hospitality.