adminHerald Reporter
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has called on the corporate world to assist in various forms to avoid the spread of Covid-19 in prisons.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of detergents donated by corporates to ZPCS, Deputy Commissioner-General Administration Dr Alford Mashango Dube decried the overcrowding of prisons and holding centres, calling upon the corporate world to extend their helping hand to the inmates.
Some of the goods donated by the companies were dishwashers, fabric, elastic and violin to produce face masks, as well as sugar and cooking oil. They also donated cash, which was deposited into the Commissioner-General’s Goodwill Fund account.
In handing over the goods, RockTwist Enterprise chairman, Mr Dominic Benhura, pledged to provide assistance on monthly basis in order to help the inmates.
Dr Dube said the kind gesture will go a long way in containing the spread of the Covid-19 among the inmates.
He said there was no social distancing since the population stands at over 19 000 countrywide, against a holding capacity 17 000.
He said the number of inmates was too high to provide protective equipment, though the organisation was doing everything to manufacture PPEs.
Dr Dube said the newly incarcerated inmates were increasingthe number of the people needed to be catered for.
“We are trying our level best to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus through manufacturing of PPEs, but the number is huge that we need assistance from the corporate world,” he said.
“Masks are not enough. Also, people are convicted everyday, which means production of protective equipment should be ongoing.”
Dr Dube said inmates should rejoin society in good health after completion of their sentences.
Some of the companies that donated to the prisons included, Yofridge Investiments, RockTwist Enterprises and Demlen Enterprises.
Online Reporter