Online Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has been undergoing transformation in recent years.
In one of their remarkable success stories, ZPCS has embarked on a journey of empowering prisoners with skills to make them better citizens when they leave jail.
One key function for ZPCS is to incarcerate, rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders while protecting society by providing custodial services.
We have seen more success stories in the area of promoting human capital development through employment of inmates in prison workshops and also facilitating skill acquisition to inmates through education, training and development.
There is no doubt that the ZPCS is doing a lot to try and achieve its ambitious target of being a leading correctional services provider in the region.
But while there are these impressive achievements, there are some isolated incidents that should make the ZPCS revisit some of their operations or systems.
For instance, the recent escape of Luke Zinyengere from Harare Magistrate’s Court has raised concerns about the security measures in place at correctional facilities.
Zinyengere, who is facing numerous counts of armed robbery, managed to escape with the help of prison officer Donald Madzinga, who allegedly accepted a bribe of US$500 to facilitate the escape.
The case is in court.
Madzinga’s actions are a clear breach of trust and a violation of his duties as a prison officer. He put those that were around Zinyengere, including the presiding magistrate at risk of being shot at, had he been frustrated by the proceedings in the court room.
The fact that he was able to conspire with the inmates and accept a bribe without being detected show a breach in the ZPCS’s internal controls.
According to reports, 116 inmates escaped from correctional facilities in Zimbabwe between January 2021 and October 2022. This suggests a systemic problem within the ZPCS, which requires attention.
To their credit, the ZPCS has taken steps to address the issue, including the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems at maximum prisons and the arming of prison officers.
However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of corruption and negligence within the organisation.
The recent incident also raises concerns about the safety of the public.
Zinyengere’s escape and subsequent robbery of a car at gunpoint pose a significant risk to the community.
The fact that he was able to obtain a firearm and use it to commit a crime while on the run highlights the need for more effective measures to prevent the proliferation of firearms.
The escape of Luke Zinyengere from Harare Magistrate’s Court is a wake-up call for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.
The incident highlights the need to address corruption, negligence, and weaknesses within the organisation.
The ZPCS must take decisive action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and to ensure the safety of the public, which happens to be their primary objective.
