Inmates braaing on family day at Whawha Prison

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU – The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Midlands is hosting a family week from August 13-19 at Whawha Medium Prison as part of the organisation’s rehabilitation programme.
ZPCS provincial public relations officer, Jerry Ruzive said the objective was to unite inmates with their families and loved ones, adding that the family played a big role in the rehabilitation process.
“We have families coming to see their relatives and loved ones who are in prison with the idea being to help them remain connected. The sense of belonging should not be lost simply because a person has been incarcerated. We can’t ignore the fact that the family plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of inmates.
“We are happy with the outcome because many families have already taken the opportunity to come and visit their loved ones. We are in our second year of this initiative and the response is good.
“Members of the public suggested that the programme be done during school holidays and public holidays when children are at home,” said Ruzive.
Emmanuel Dera, an inmate, expressed gratitude at being given a chance to see his loved ones in an almost usual family set-up.
“I am grateful to ZPCs for organising an event which has enabled me to interact with my family in a relaxed environment. We are also being treated well in prison although we face the usual problems associated with the country’s prison life,” said Dera.
Whawha Prison principal correction officer, station and rehabilitation coordinator, Clara Chingono said despite many challenges, ZPCS was doing its level best to ensure that the welfare of prisoners was met.
“All basic needs are catered for and in a week like this, we allow families to bring food stuffs and basics such bathing soaps, body cream lotions and others to their loved ones,” said Chingono.local

Commissioner General Godwin Matanga

GWERU – There is a worrying increase in crime in the Midlands province, with an average 1 300 cases being reported per month, police have said.
Speaking during Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General Godwin Matanga’s recent tour of Gweru, officer commanding Midlands province, Assistant Commissioner Charles Ndoro said the crime rate had increased by 12 percent in 2018 as compared to 2017.
“We have put in place measures to reduce the increase in crime. The province has recorded 7 801 cases for the period of January to June 2018 as compared to the 6 965 cases recorded during the same period  in 2017, translating  to a 12 percent increase in crimes committed,” said Ndoro.
He said police in the province were operating with inadequate equipment and vehicles, thereby negatively impacting on policing efficiency.
“There are a number of challenges being faced by the police in conducting their operations well and these include lack of proper equipment, depleted fleet in terms of transport, and backward structures.
“By its very nature, policing requires an efficient transport system for swift responses and the province in this regard has been operating on a depleted fleet thereby compromising the quality of the organisation’s services.
“Another big challenge we are facing is human and material resources shortages…there still exist some gaps in terms of our human resource deployments,” he said.
Ass Comm Ndoro, however, expressed optimism that with support from Comm Gen Matanga, the province will be able to do better in the fight against crime and create a safer society for all people of the Midlands.
In his own address, Comm Gen Matanga warned police officers who engage in corruption that they were living on borrowed time, adding that the organisation will not hesitate to fire any members caught on the wrong side of the law.

MWENEZI – People in Village 4 Mangondi Ward 14 under Chief Chitanga and other surrounding communities were recently left tongue-tied after an elderly villager’s grave was dug inside his kitchen.
Following a short illness, the elderly man identified only as Magaya, who was in his late 70s, died and was buried last Thursday in one of his houses in the village.
Though no immediate comment could be obtained from Chief Chitanga, Councillor Admire Matutu of Ward 14 said he had also received reports of the strange burial.
“I did not manage to attend Magaya’s burial but I also heard that he was buried in a house. Originally the man is from Malawi, so I think his burial was in accordance with their culture,” said Matutu.
Other villagers who witnessed the burial process said the arrangement had left them with many unanswered questions.
“Several villagers are still shocked. Previously, we had witnessed the burial of some Malawians but we never heard of anyone being buried inside a house. The house where Magaya was buried had its floor levelled and people were told to continue using it as usual.
“What also baffles the mind is that we heard that he was buried with a knife in his hand,” said a villager who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The deceased reportedly married a local woman and settled in the village a long time back.
Sources said he had children from his previous marriage but did not have any with the local woman he married, who also had children of her own from previous relationships.local

The Zvishavane Women's Club building after the fire incident

Patience Muzhingi

The Association of Women's Clubs School of Cutting and Design building located in Slater Road, was last week gutted by fire as a result of an electrical fault triggered by a water heater left unattended, TellZim News was told.
Grania Tozivepi, group leader of the association, told TellZim News that the heater was left by a member of the club.
"This is not the first time it happened.  A few days ago, there was another fire which burnt a table and destroyed other things. The fire happened under similar circumstances after a heater was left unattended,” said Tozivepi.
Chief fire and rescue officer for Zvishavane, Rerai Muchara confirmed the incident and said there were no injuries or casualties.
The incident happened while everyone from the complex was outside.
Association head, Elizabeth Verenga said the fire was a big setback to the club as it happened when they were in the process of renovating the building.
"We were in the process of renovating the building before this unfortunate incident. I appeal to well-wishers to help with donations in the form of ceiling boards, tiles, cement or any other materials that can help us carry out extensive repairs on the burnt building," said Verenga.
She also said the association was looking for help from well-wishers to help reconnect electricity and restore many other services that were interrupted by the tragedy.