ZPCS robbed of dedicated officers

Liberty Dube

Post Correspondent 

THE year 2021 has started on a sad note for the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) as tragedies ranging from losing officers to the Covid-19 pandemic and fatal road accidents have continued hitting the organisation.

“It is painful seeing our colleagues departing one after the other,” said Deputy Commissioner-General Shepherd Mpofu, speaking at the funeral parade of four officers who perished in a car accident in Nyanga last week.

The funeral parade was held at Mutare Remand Prison last week on Sunday. 

Seven people – among them four prison officers – perished on the spot when the ZPCS truck they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a fuel truck at the 67km peg along the Mutare-Nyanga Road last Friday. 

The four ZPCS officers are Chakanyuka Mango (42), John Maluvani (38), Moses Rima (40) and Faith Nyapokoto, while two civilians — Alice Joma (42) and Ruvarashe Karairwa (20) and an inmate, Anesu Muusha (48), also died on the spot. 

Said Deputy Comm-Gen Mpofu: “We are calling on all drivers to exercise extreme caution when driving.”

The accident happened barely two months after the organisation lost its former Commissioner-General, Major General (Rtd) Paradzai Zimondi, due to Covid-19.

Several other officers have also succumbed to Covid-19. 

Correctional Officer John Maluvani joined the organisation in September 2010 and is survived by wife Ms Allector Chandiwana and a child, Tadiwanashe. 

Correctional Officer Nyapokoto who hailed from Rusape joined ZPCS in March 2013 and is survived by two children. 

Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Rima joined ZPCS in September 2001 and is survived by wife Ms Lizzy Munjoma and two sons. 

Correctional Officer Mango joined ZPCS on July 10, 2003 and is survived by wife Mrs Lisnet Mango and three children.