Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
A MAN, who is serving a jail sentence for murder at Chinhoyi Prison, has met his child for the first time in 15 years.
Reuben Mapuranga, who has been in prison for 15 years, was jailed when his child was still a toddler.
Prison officials across the country opened gates to the public on Monday for Prison Family Week.
“I am very happy that I have met my child whom I left 15 years ago.
“Ini ndafara kwazvo kubata mwana wako wawakasiya 15 years ago.
“Chinhu chinofadza zvikuru,” he said
He added:
“Rehabilitation made me see life from a different angle, I am now able to reintegrate with society.
“Here in prison, I got counselled and if it wasn’t for rehabilitation, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ask for forgiveness.
“I was taught carpentry and sculpture.
“I did theology and I have a diploma in pastoring.”
Mapuranga said he has now set his sights on studying Cyber Security.
“I have some sculptures that I have done which I managed to sell to some of my relatives, who have visited me.”
Tariro Katsande a female inmate from Chitungwiza, told H- Metro, that she was into drugs and ended up stealing from relatives and becoming a menace to society.
“I was into drugs and started stealing until I was imprisoned. I am serving my term here.
“I was arrested while I was one month pregnant . I was sentenced to three years and I am now left with six months for me to be released.
“I was arrested in 2023 while pregnant and I now have a baby who is one year and three months.”
She added:
“Drugs are not good because one will end up stealing to have some money to buy the drugs.
“My message to everyone, including my relatives, is let us not do drugs. Look at me now. I am here in prison.
“My relatives have forsaken me. They won’t visit me because of my behaviour.”
Sergeant Edward Chari, who is the prison’s rehabilitation officer, said society was struggling to embrace inmates.
“Here we would have equipped them with necessary skills but society does not accept or welcome them back into the community, hence they commit offences again, “ said Chari.
Mathew Masinge