ZPCS in leisure joint venture

Precious Manomano, Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has ventured into recreational activities following the rehabilitation of its dam at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

It is a private partnership between ZPCS and Machingura Investments, in line with the Second Republic strategy of encouraging collaborations with  Government departments to boost the economy.

Following its rehabilitation, the dam is now a tourist attraction with many people coming to partake in activities offered there including fishing, horse riding and boat cruising, among others.

ZPCS is prepared to expand and improve the venue for it to meet  world class standards so that it competes with other commercial recreational sites in the country.

This includes establishment of a conference centre, guest rooms and the addition of more infrastructure to host conferences, workshops, weddings, parties, amongst others.

Speaking at the official opening of Chikurubi dam view events garden on Saturday, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi applauded the organisation for embarking on such initiatives, saying that the garden will serve as a catalyst for growth and development of the organisation by providing a range of services, including employment creation to the surrounding community.

“We are witnessing today a testament to what can be achieved when the Government and private sector come together to create opportunities for economic growth and development. This is a symbol of collective efforts towards a brighter future for the country. Under proper management I can assure you that this business entity is going to create more employment opportunities for many people even in the tourism and hospitality industry,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi urged the ZPCS to give employment opportunities to inmates who would have completed serving their jail sentences, adding that even the wives of the prison officers and others in the community should be prioritised.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Permanent Secretary Vimbai Nyemba said the venture will go a long way in generating the much needed revenue in trying to close the gap left by the fiscus.

She also applauded the  ZPCS for making the decision to turn the place into a commercial hub despite security connotations to correctional facilities in the vicinity.

“I also understand commercialisation is also part of ZPCS pillars in delivering the organisational mandate. Hence, to date, this place has proved to be a recreational venue for officers, their dependants and members of the community on a daily basis. It is now proving to be an out-door venue for various events during weekends, public holidays and festive seasons,” she said.

ZPCS Commissioner-General Dr Moses Chihobvu said embarking on various projects will enable them to rehabilitate the inmates fully.

“Our main thrust is rehabilitation and so for us to rehabilitate we need to enter into a number of projects which allow the inmates to go back to the community, so most of our rehabilitation activities require us to play a major role in the economy on the other hand and assist that inmate for integration. Rehabilitation activities mainly take place where we have projects. That’s why we have diverted to educate inmates on more programmes,” he said.

Tourism is considered a low hanging fruit for the country in terms of foreign currency generation and employment is part of the key in achieving sustainable economic growth as enunciated in the National Development Strategy 1.