THE REAL KIDS OF CHIKURUBI PRISON

Tanaka Mahanya

CHIKURUBI Female Prison has become a home to many infants, who are staying with their incarcerated mothers.

For 34-year-old Alice Mpofu, prison is also home to her four-month-old daughter.

“When I came here in April, I did not know that I was pregnant.

“I only realised that I was pregnant when I went for medical tests at the prison clinic.

“On the 1st of May, I gave birth to my daughter prematurely because I was battling stress.

“I could not believe I was supposed to spend more than a year behind bars,” she said.

Mpofu said during her stay in prison, she has grown spiritually and hopes her uncle forgives her.

She was convicted of fraud.

“My uncle lent me his car, which my boyfriend stole from me and went to Mutare.

“Upon realising that he was not coming back anytime soon, I informed my uncle, who believed that it was a trick,” she said.

She said her boyfriend was arrested for robbery using her uncle’s car.

“I was sentenced to two years in prison, and 10 months were set aside,” she said.

“I don’t think my uncle believes that I am innocent.

“It will take a while for him to forgive me.”

Another inmate, Tendai Majoni, 20, told H-Metro that she has been living in jail for the past four months with her four-year-old son.

“I do not have a family as I am an orphan.

“I had to come with my son because there was no one to leave him with,” she said.