President Mnangagwa attends historic graduation of San Community Recruits at ZPCS Parade

Nqobile Bhebhe in Ntabazinduna
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA has arrived at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Training School, located in Ntabazinduna ahead of the 154th pass-out parade.

Scores of people including newly recruited correctional officers, senior prison officers, Government officials, relatives, and guardians of graduates are gathered for the parade.
There is a hive of activity at the traditional graduation grounds as the prison band is entertaining guests.

President Mnangagwa is anticipated to officiate at this significant event, present certificates, and awards, and deliver the keynote address.

A total of 1 600 officers composed of two groups will graduate following the completion of a rigorous six-month training programme.

Notably, among the graduating officers are recruits from the San community in Tsholotsho, whose representation in national security services has been progressively increasing.

This development follows the graduation of the inaugural group of 20 youths from the San community in Tsholotsho District in June 2022.

During the ZPCS’s 150th recruit correctional officers’ passing-out parade, 20 youths—11 males and nine females from the San community in Tsholotsho District—made history by becoming the first group to graduate.

Before the interventions of the Second Republic, the San people lived in isolation, disconnected from the rest of the country.

Many did not possess birth certificates or identity documents, which impeded their access to essential services such as healthcare and voting.

As a result of these challenges, a significant number of San individuals were unable to attend school, leaving them without the qualifications needed for formal employment and limited to menial jobs.