Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on Wednesday conducted a benchmarking visit to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) to learn from the correctional service’s industrialisation and commercialisation initiatives as it seeks to transform its own business units into sustainable commercial enterprises.
The delegation, comprising officers from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), toured several ZPCS production and commercial projects to gain practical insights into running income-generating ventures that support institutional operations.
Led by ZPCS Commissioner responsible for Production, Mr Benias Changunduma, the delegation first visited Mazowe Prison Farm, where Officer-in-Charge Chief Correctional Officer Ladislous Ziwewe showcased a range of projects, including horticulture, construction, mining, brick moulding and retail businesses operated under Pamberi Qhubekani Investments (Private) Limited.
The delegation later toured the Chikurubi Prison Complex, where they visited the joint venture abattoir, the dairy project at Chikurubi Farm Prison and the Chikurubi Damview Resort, which is operated through a Public-Private Partnership.
Welcoming the visitors on behalf of ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu, Commissioner Changunduma said collaboration among uniformed security services was essential in fostering innovation and improving service delivery.
“I am very pleased that you chose to come and learn from ZPCS. This is the spirit we should uphold as uniformed security forces. Feel free to engage us at any time so that we may learn from each other and jointly explore innovative solutions to the common challenges we face as sister organisations,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Major Charity Sibanda thanked ZPCS for sharing its experiences in commercialising its business units.
“We are deeply grateful to ZPCS for welcoming us and for openly sharing your experiences, challenges and successes in transforming your special business units into sustainable commercial enterprises.
“As the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, we are confident that today’s insights will have a lasting impact on our strategic direction. The knowledge and practical experience gained will inform our efforts to transition our farming and mining operations into commercially viable enterprises that support the delivery of quality security services across the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“We sincerely hope that this visit marks the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship between our two institutions. We kindly request that you continue to extend your hospitality and provide future benchmarking opportunities, as we believe there is still much to learn from your wealth of experience,” she said.
The benchmarking visit is expected to deepen cooperation between ZPCS and the ZDF while promoting the exchange of best practices in commercialisation, production and resource mobilisation among Zimbabwe’s uniformed security institutions.
