Online Reporter
Givemore Muzariri
SPENCER Sinoni (49), an inmate at Khami Remand Prison, has expressed sincere gratitude to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) in Bulawayo.
He was given the valuable chance to train as both a motor mechanic and an auto electrician, an opportunity often requiring five O-levels which he did not possess. At the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), he proudly showcased the skills he’s acquiring through these rehabilitation programmes, emphasising their crucial role in helping inmates like himself build a future free from re-offending upon their release.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the management of ZPCS for giving us professional correctional officers who are helping us choose life-changing careers so we are able to contribute to the development of the nation.
“I am here at the exhibition centre just to share my life experience while in prison and the process that I am going through to be a fully prepared product for the Zimbabwean market. Whilst on this platform, I have managed to create a lot of connections that can assist me once I complete my lengthy sentence,” he said.
Sinoni (49), convicted in 2018 for a wildlife offence involving 11,5 kilogrammes of ivory, explained his arrest. He was entrapped by police, aided by his wife’s cousin, for dealing in ivory he claimed belonged to a neighbour.
Despite his claim of selling on behalf of someone, a Binga Magistrate Court found him guilty, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence. Upon transfer from Binga Prison to Khami Remand Prison, Sinoni realised the reality of serving his sentence for trying to illegally provide for his family.
“When I heard that I had been sentenced to nine years in prison, at first it was not easy for me to accept that situation. Whilst still trying to come to terms with the conviction, I was transferred from Binga to Khami Remand Prison since I was now regarded as a D-class prisoner, who required maximum security,” he said.
Upon arriving at Khami Remand Prison, Sinoni found life incredibly difficult, burdened by the worry of his family’s welfare as their sole provider. This pressure led to depression, for which he received counselling from the prison’s rehabilitation unit.
“My arrest and my conviction happened so fast that I became so stressed, considering that I am a family man who had been separated from his wife and kids. This situation was so stressful that I became depressed, and inmates that I was staying with actually recommended that I go to the clinic which caters for the inmates.
“At first, I never took the advice seriously, but with time I developed a serious headache, and when I visited the clinic, nurses discovered that my blood pressure was very high, so they later recommended that I go for counselling at the rehabilitation section,” he said.
During his counselling, Spencer Sinoni was encouraged to choose a trade to occupy his mind and help him cope with his difficulties. Following an assessment, he was advised to pursue training as a motor mechanic and auto electrician as a potential livelihood.
“I remember growing up, I had a serious interest in the motor industry, but unfortunately, I lost my parents before I could even complete my primary education, thus becoming a mechanic ended in a dream. But from the discussion I had with the rehabilitation officers, they discovered that I had a serious passion for this industry.
“So, in their recommendations, they encouraged me to enrol in a class that focuses on the motor industry, and I took their advice seriously, such that I immediately started attending lessons. While in class, I really enjoyed my lessons a lot, and within a short space of six months, my lecturers recommended that I go for trade testing for my class three theory.
“As we speak, I am waiting for my practical trade test for class three, and with the exposure that I have attained, surely, I can guarantee you flying colours in my forthcoming examinations. At our workshops, I am one of those people who are servicing all the vehicles that come in need of our attention.
“I would like to believe that the commitment I have shown in the past, both in class and on the field, is what awarded me this opportunity to be at this exhibition, educating people on the rehabilitation processes that I am going through at the moment.
I know that a lot of people were impressed with my presentations, and hopefully members of the public will change their attitude and embrace us when we visit their companies in search of employment opportunities despite being ex-convicts. In short, let me end by saying everyone out there is a potential prisoner, so there is no need to label one another, as tomorrow you might find yourself in prison,” he said.
Sinoni also expressed gratitude to his family for their ongoing support during his imprisonment. He hopes to complete his sentence in 2028, by which time he aims to be a fully qualified Class One motor mechanic. He emphasised the vital role of family visits in an inmate’s life, providing crucial connection and helping to address issues that may have led to their incarceration.
“I would like to thank my family for supporting me, especially in these trying times, by simply visiting me, as that reduces stress. While at this exhibition, my wife’s young sister, who stays in Bulawayo, comes to visit me. That really helps me a lot by reducing stress, and it helps me to focus, as you can see that my job deals with sharp tools that can be very dangerous to the user,” he said.
