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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Government has resolved the Mwenezi farmers and Prison Services stand-off over a proposed satellite prison.
Government has swiftly moved in to resolve a stand-off between the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and resettled farmers at Limburgia Farm in Mwenezi West who were haggling over plans to build a new satellite prison in the area. Farmers at Limburgia,which is near Rutenga Growth Point, were unhappy with plans by ZPCS to build the prison arguing the land earmarked for the project fell within their grazing pastures.
Mwenezi district used to rely on a two-roomed house that was used as makeshift holding cells forcing ZPCS to move dangerous suspects facing trial at the Mwenezi Magistrates’ Court either to Beitbridge Town or Masvingo City for security reasons.
However, the move posed logistical nightmares for ZPCS in terms of costs, forcing the organisation to consider building a bigger and more secure satellite prison at Lumburgia.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Cde Ezra Chadzamira mediated between the farmers and ZPCS leading to an agreement for the prison project to go ahead.
He said the stand-off between farmers at Lumburgia and ZPCS was now water under the bridge.
“We called a meeting for all stakeholders in the Mwenezi satellite prison project and the feuding parties found each other so the project is now going ahead as planned,’’ said Minister Chadzamira.
“The farmers were unhappy that the prison project would eat into their grazing lands but we impressed upon them the importance of building a proper satellite prison in Mwenezi and we reached an agreement.’’
Minister Chadzamira said Government fully supported plans by ZPCS to build a new satellite prison in Mwenezi as the move would ensure security for all prisoners.
“We decided to move in and arbitrate in the feud because there is no way we could allow villagers to stop an important project like a satellite prison to fail because of mere grazing pastures. Our people need to appreciate positive projects which have a long-term bearing on their lives,’’ he said.
Mwenezi District Administrator Ms Rosemary Chingwe said the place currently used as a satellite prison by ZPCS was unsuitable.
“The holding cells used as a satellite prison where unfit to host dangerous suspects, so ZPCS was always forced to take those remanded in custody either to Masvingo or Beitbridge and that was very costly, so we welcome news that an agreement has finally been reached for a new satellite prison to be constructed,’’ she said.
Masvingo has two prisons, namely Mutimurefu and Chiredzi, with the former being the province’s biggest penitentiary in terms of holding capacity.
Online Reporter