By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, presided over the pass-out parade for Courses 154 and 155 of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) in Ntabazinduna Bulawayo, yesterday.
The ceremony celebrated the graduation of a total of 1,622 recruits, including 1,109 males and 513 females, marking a significant milestone in the country’s correctional services.
In his address at the event, President Mnangagwa underscored the rigorous training the recruits underwent to prepare them for their roles in the correctional system.
“Today’s pass-out parade symbolises the end of a physically and intellectually demanding transformative phase of being nurtured into determined correctional officers. It also marks the beginning of a new and challenging career,” he stated.
The President also commended the impressive gender representation within the graduating class, emphasising the increasing role of women in the correctional service.
He further highlighted the importance of correctional officers in upholding justice and rehabilitation within society, stating that they play a crucial role in maintaining law and order.
The ceremony not only celebrated the individuals’ achievements but also reinforced the government’s commitment to enhancing the capacity and integrity of the correctional system in Zimbabwe.