Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
KWEKWE Prison is operating beyond its holding capacity and is facing a range of challenges, including inadequate accommodation for officers and shortages of medical supplies.
The concerns were revealed by the officer-in-charge of Kwekwe Prison, Superintendent Elliot Maburutse, during the handover of groceries and construction materials donated by Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube.
Minister Ncube handed over mealie-meal, rice, sugar, cooking oil, soap, beans, brooms and cement to the prison from the proceeds of the 2026 Midlands Provincial Independence Ball.
Supt Maburutse said Kwekwe Prison was currently housing 254 inmates against a holding capacity of 192.
“As at this morning, we had 254 inmates against a holding capacity of 192. This means the prison is overcrowded by 62 inmates,” he revealed.
Supt Maburutse said Kwekwe Prison, established in 1910, is the oldest correctional facility in Midlands Province and is classified as a Grade Three prison.
He said the institution has a staff complement of 128 officers, comprising 74 men and 54 women, and described staff morale as high.
“We have a disciplined staff and staff morale is high as a result of the rations we are receiving,” he said.
Despite this, Supt Maburutse said the prison was facing accommodation challenges, with many officers residing in various suburbs outside the prison premises.
“We are facing challenges in staff accommodation, with most of our officers residing in different suburbs,” he said.
He said five accommodation blocks currently under construction were already being occupied before completion due to growing demand for housing space.
“We have five blocks under construction and we are already using them before completion as they require electrification.
“We are also housing officers from training,” he said.
Supt Maburutse said inadequate space remained one of the institution’s major challenges and called for renovations to the existing facility.
“Our prison needs renovations. If possible, depending on the availability of land, it will be ideal to construct a new prison complex,” he said.
He also highlighted shortages of medical supplies for chronic illnesses at the prison clinic and difficulties in servicing available transport.
“We have adequate transport but we face challenges in having the vehicles serviced.
“We also have a shortage of medical supplies for chronic diseases at our clinic,” he said.
Supt Maburutse said the prison continued to conduct awareness campaigns targeting inmates, officers and their dependants on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
On inmate welfare, he said the institution currently had adequate food supplies.
“Currently we have adequate food stocks for inmates. Our inmates have eggs for breakfast and chicken during meals, as well as apples and bananas,” he said.
He also appealed for new uniforms for inmates, particularly orange prison attire.
