Tendai Charumbira
The general commissioner for the Republic of Mozambique prisons Brigadier General Antonio Augusto Maurice has commended Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) prisons band for their talent in music and managing agricultural projects at Mutimurefu prison.
Speaking after touring Mutimurefu prison in Masvingo together with ZPSC Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu on April 6 2022, to show and share ideas of projects done at the correctional facility, Maurice said the band is a force to reckon with.
Maurice went on to say he was amazed with the creativity shown by the prisoners because they were using band instruments they made themselves.
“I am very impressed with your creativity. Still l am amazed on how you come up with the idea of making these drum beats and other band instruments you are using, very creative indeed,” he said.
Maurice also applauded their agricultural project stating that this exchange of ideas is good as they are learning a lot.
“This exchange of ideas is relevant and we have a clear example that here they are mainly focusing on maize farming and we heard that from one hectare they produce 1000 tons of maize.
“In Mozambique we did not produce better yields this year because of climate change, but here at Mutimurefu they did because they made use of their irrigation schemes which is also one of the things we learnt here,” said Maurice.
He added that in Mozambique they offer better training in carpentry than in Zimbabwe.
“We noted that in our country we do offer better training in carpentry as we produce better furniture so we are willing to share our ideas and help them produce better furniture,” added Maurice.
Chihobvu stated that they did not plan to come and listen to the band but the sound of their musical band lured them.
“We were not planning on coming here but Commissioner General Maurice insisted on coming here because of the sound of your music,” said Chihobvu.
He also announced that he is looking for sponsors to help them develop their band.
“We are still looking for sponsors to help you develop your band and l am glad that with the help of the media here, your band is going to go viral hoping that we will find one,” said Chihobvu.
Besides the prisons band, Mutimurefu prisons is doing different projects that help prison inmates to have something to do when they are freed. Some of the projects are sewing, carpentry, welding, repairing motor bikes and farming.
