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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
THE Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS)yesterday said it is the duty and collective responsibility of communities to take care of vulnerable groups, thus changing lives.
He said this during the Commissioner-General Goodwill Trust Fund Commemorations held at Anju Prison Farm in Umguza, Matabeleland North.
The commemorations were attended by prison bosses from Namibia, Botswana, the Kingdom of ESwatini, Zambia and Mozambique.
Matabeleland North was hosting the event and showing the contributions made by the province to the Trust FundIn the province, 17 orphans were presented with food hampers, stationery, a wheelchair, a walker and uniforms.
The orphans are aged between five and 13 of age comprising children of the deceased ZPCS officers including those from the local community.
To ensure that no one and no community is left behind, there are two children from the San community that are benefiting from the Trust Fund.
Under the programme, four children from the San community completed their O-level studies, two of whom are now employed by the ZPCS as correctional officers.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said ZPCS is committed to helping the San community.
“Remember during the last pass-out parade, His Excellency President Mnangagwa tasked us to make sure that members of the San people should be accommodated in the ZPCS. We are here to assist the community and everyone,” he said.
Comm-Gen said ZPCS is following President Mnangagwa’s philosophy “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo.”
“The idea is to extend our generous hand and reach out to those in need within the ZPCS and the wider community at large.
True, as constantly pointed out by President Mnangagwa that ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo’, it is both our duty and collective responsibility to take care of the vulnerable groups within our communities,” he said.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said more than 350 beneficiaries have so far received support through the Commissioner General Goodwill Trust Fund.
He urged ZPCS staff to contribute to the Trust Fund to assist those in need.
“I, therefore, challenge all of us to do all the good we can at all times as s long as we have the willpower to change the lives of others for the better,” said Comm Gen Chihobvu.
The officer commanding ZPCS in Matabeleland North, Commissioner Moddie Nkomo said the province wants to make sure that all the educational and personal needs of the children are fully met.
“Children are a creation of God and their smile is attractive. Their innocence is overwhelming. As we celebrate this day today, let us note that it could not be possible without them,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Tumutembule Munkuli, a Grade Seven pupil from Binga said they were grateful for the gesture.
“Being an orphan is unbearable, especially when you lose your parents at a tender age. We have dreams of going to school to acquire education and play sports like any other child, but these dreams were shattered the day we lost our parents,” she said.
Chief Correctional Officer Patricia Murandu who has a 29-year-old daughter suffering from cerebral palsy received a custom-made wheelchair.
“My child’s wheelchair was broken beyond repair and we couldn’t do anything for her. We are thankful to the Commissioner-General for this gesture” she said.
Chief Goledema of the San Community thanked ZPCS for helping his people.
“We are grateful for the programme and on behalf of the San Community to be recruited into the prison service. This has helped reduce poverty in families that have members working in the prison service,” he said.
The Commissioner-General Goodwill Trust Fund is an independent entity that is administered by a board comprised of members of the public, and retired and serving members of ZPCS.
Its mandate is to assist orphans of deceased members, widows and widowers to serve members and officers incapacitated during the course of duty as well as some disadvantaged members of the community.
Online Reporter