Online Reporter
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has urged its member states to comply with regional protocols allowing the inter-country transfer of sentenced prisoners while adhering to the bloc’s minimum standards for the treatment of inmates.
This was highlighted yesterday during a SADC Secretariat training workshop for senior Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe has already taken steps to ratify the SADC Protocol on the inter-state transfer of sentenced offenders, which was approved in 2019. The training programme, running until Friday, is aimed at equipping ZPCS Assistant Commissioners and Commissioners with leadership skills, gender mainstreaming strategies, human security management, and peace-building approaches in correctional services.
SADC Secretariat, Senior Public Security Officer, Ms Kealeboga Moruti, who led the delegation, stressed the need for member states to align their correctional systems with regional frameworks.
“We have had a protocol on the inter-state transfer of sentence offenders. It’s a protocol that was approved in 2019, and we would want member states to align themselves with this protocol.
“They need to do all their processes to ratify this particular protocol. So it is important when middle ground positions have been taken at the regional level for the member states to seek to align with,” she said.
Ms Moruti further noted that the SADC minimum standards for the management of offenders have also been approved, providing a guideline for member states to shape their national strategies and policies.
Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, recently presented the SADC inter-state protocol on the transfer of sentenced offenders before Cabinet, leading to its adoption.
Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said Zimbabwe’s ratification of the protocol reflects its commitment to international co-operation and adherence to global standards.
“On 18 August 2019, His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, signed the SADC inter-state protocol on the transfer of sentenced offenders. The objective of the protocol is to facilitate the transfer of sentenced offenders from foreign territories who would be serving prison sentences, to enable them to serve the remaining sentences in their home countries,” he said.
Dr Muswere explained that the protocol requires the consent of both the sentencing and administering states before any transfer can occur.
“Ratification of the protocol demonstrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to international co-operation and adherence to global norms and also strengthens Zimbabwe’s diplomatic relations with other SADC member countries,” he said.
Beyond inmate rehabilitation, Ms Moruti emphasised that prisons and correctional services in the region also play a critical role in regional security.
“I also have to highlight that the prisons and correctional facilities are part of the SADC standby force. They are part of the civilian component of the SADC standby force,” she said.
“So, we have got a role to play in the support of peace operations. We also want to create awareness around that and be able to find our feet in that space.”
Ms Moruti said the training programme seeks to enhance leadership within the ZPCS while reinforcing the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
“The SADC Secretariat is with ZPCS, and we are here to talk about human security issues in prisons. We are here to exchange views with leadership, including transformational leadership,” she said.
Ms Moruti said SADC is working with ZPCS to address human security challenges within prisons.
“Most importantly, as prisons, penitentiaries, and correction services, our core business is the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. This comprehensive workshop with the leadership of ZPCS is to talk about the issues that I highlighted,” she said.
“We have brought experts with different expertise in different areas. I also need to highlight that as SADC, we usually do what we would call regional interventions. Regional interventions or regional activities are where we get involved with member states.”
During the event, inmates from a prison imbube ensemble performed for delegates, singing about social issues such as gender-based violence.
Ms Moruti was visibly impressed, stating that the performance embodied the essence of rehabilitation.
“When we talk about rehabilitation, it may sound like an abstract English word, but witnessing this in action through music makes it real,” she said.
Ms Moruti said these performances highlight the importance of reform and social reintegration. — @nqotshili
