By Rex Mphisa
GOVERNMENT has hailed one of its own departments for its transformation matching international rights based standards in the rehabilitation of jailed criminal offenders.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has over the recent years been moving away from the punitive to a developmental correctional model aligning with Zimbabwe’ and the international patterns of rehabilitation of convicts.
Matabeleland South province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the approach fitted into Zimbabwe’s national vision of “Leaving no one and no place behind”.
Nguluvhe acknowledged the critical role of ZPCS in supporting industrialization and economic growth through correctional industries in sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and mining being undertaken at various prisons of his province.
He said the industries are not only vital to national productivity but also central to offender rehabilitation.
“Of note and special commendation are the ZPCS Building Brigades which will be fully deployed across Matabeleland South to support the government’s infrastructure development agenda under Vision 2030. These brigades will assist in the construction of schools, clinics, staff housing, and other public facilities,” he said.
Matabeleland South province with a population of just under one million people lags behind in the distribution of schools, tertiary institutions and other necessary infrastructure.
In the province some children walk round distances of about 30 kilometres between school and home, a phenomenon which leads to dropping out or poor performance.
Health centres are few and far apart in most parts of the province where Nguluvhe took up as lead civil servant four months back.
His own constituency of Beitbridge East is one of the most affected and lacks a single boarding school while residents still travel long distances for services like passports, births and other essentials.
He has however refused the use of the word “marginalised”.
“We must do these things for ourselves, we must develop our own area and not wait for others,” he says often.
This was during his official attendance at the 2025 Prisons and Correctional Services Day commemorations held at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda last week where he was guest of honour.
Kezi Prison during the fair had detergents, windows, grain, traditional chairs, and fencing crafted by inmates while Esigodini Prison showcased art, vegetables, house number boards, chairs, beans.
Insiza also known as Filabusi Prison had artificial grave flowers, tomatoes, traditional mats (icansi), traditional stools (ijogwe), and rabbits.
Plumtree Prison exhibited traditional chairs, windows, detergents, and fencing while Beitbridge whose goat project has since been regarded a national asset had fences, traditional hats, brooms, doormats, mfushwa (dried vegetables), and inmate artwork.
Hosts Gwanda Prison presented vegetables such as cabbage, covo, onions, animal crafts, poultry, and sunhats.
Nguluvhe said the correctional initiatives help inmates acquire certified, practical skills in mechanics, construction, and allied trades—equipping them to lead productive lives post-incarceration.
Apart from the exhibition visitors were treated to various vibrant activities including drill displays Zim dancehall performances by inmates, Traditional poetry recitals (imbongi), inmates’ soccer matches.
Close to 2 000 people including senior government officials attended the event also supported by other private businesses namely Family Planning which brought along its services.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police displayed confiscated drugs including mbanje, cocaine, and cough syrup (Benylin).