Online Reporter
The Herald, 18 March 1993
AT least four ex-convicts who were freed from prison barely two weeks ago under the Presidential amnesty are back behind bars. One was thrown back into jail within 24 hours of being released.
Of the four men, three are believed to have been sent back to prison for committing offences ranging from petty theft to armed robbery. Security sources confirmed that one of the ex- convicts took part in last week’s robbery at Pay and Take Wholesalers in Masvingo. The suspect and his accomplices in the March 9 pre-dawn robbery have been arrested and are expected to appear in court soon.
Records at the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court indicate that Daniel Chauke was back in jail hardly a day after being released. Chauke was convicted of stealing maize and was subsequently fined $100 (or 50 days in jail). He failed to raise the fine.
In his defence, Chauke told the court that prison life had made him soft as he became accustomed to eating three meals a day. Things were, however, different when he got out. He found it difficult to get food because he had no money.
Wardens at Mutimurefu Prison near Masvingo have been kept busy in the last few days processing “returning residents”. “We are expecting back a number of diehards in the next few weeks. Life is too tough for them out there. They cannot survive the jungle there,” said a warden interviewed at the magistrates’ court yesterday.
Musiwa Chivanga, another freed convict, was dragged before a magistrate this week for housebreaking and theft. But some ex-convicts such as Kevin Gilbert (24) have vowed to avoid prison for as long as they lived. “In prison you are nothing. You have no rights. The prison officers call the shots and you have to respond accordingly,” he said.
Lessons for today
- Despite being written in 1993, this story still reflects challenges Zimbabwe faces today. Releasing prisoners without support leads to quick reoffending. Chauke could not buy food, had no income, and no reintegration assistance so he went back to what he knew.
- Zimbabwe continues to struggle with unemployment, poverty, and limited social support systems. Many released prisoners still face no job opportunities, no housing, stigma from society and lack of rehabilitation programs.
- True rehabilitation requires job training, psychological support, community acceptance and opportunities for ex-prisoners to rebuild their live, without these, prison becomes a cycle.
- Modern amnesties or mass releases must be paired with counselling, reintegration programs, employment pathways, community reintegration and support. Otherwise, prisons will simply refill.
