Zinwa disconnects prisons over US$680k debt

Mr Kumarpal Natwar Shingadia has been acquitted of fraud and theft of trust property charges by the Harare Regional Court

After being acquitted last year of participating in the armed robbery of US$2,7 million of ZB Bank cash in 2021, Dennis Madondo (33) from Murehwa is now on trial for money laundering, using proceeds from criminal activities to purchase a luxury vehicle and being in possession of large sums of cash.

Crime Reporter
MORE than 4 000 inmates and prison guards and their families are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases after the Zimbabwe National Water Authority disconnected water supplies to Marondera St Thomas Prison and Khami Prison in Bulawayo over a US$680 000 debt. Zinwa disconnected water supplies last week at Khami Prison over a US$662 786,87 debt and at the Marondera Prison over a US$26 000 debt.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services national spokesperson Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Banda said: “We are now worried about disease outbreaks such as cholera and diarrhoea. At the moment we have no money to pay them.”

Chief Supt Banda said at Khami Prison, there were four prisons with 3 523 inmates and 921 officers, while Marondera Prison had 515 inmates and 160 families of officers. Both prison compounds have primary schools for children of employees and also to cater for the surrounding community.

“The situation is serious as prisoners have to go out to fetch water. That means added security and escape risks. They fetch water at nearby wells, but some of the wells are not safe for drinking water,” Chief Supt Banda said.

She said there were about 1 825 dangerous inmates at Khami Prison’s D class and these were not allowed to go out as they were a flight risk.

Chief Supt Banda appealed to the relevant authorities to address the situation.