Ex-convict appeals to be accepted in society

By The NewsDay | Jan. 15, 2013 | 3 Min read

A female prisoner who languished behind bars for six years for stock theft is appealing to society to accept her back, amid reports that ex-convicts, particularly women, are stigmatised with some rejected by their families and those they would have wronged.

REPORT BY VENERANDA LANGA SENIOR REPORTER

Hlawlani Mashopani (37-year-old female) was released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison last Friday after serving her full sentence.

NewsDay caught up with Mashopani soon after her release and said she was not sure if her uncle, from whom she stole two head of cattle, would forgive her.

Mashopani was ready to go back to Chizvilizvi Village Six under Chief Tshovani in Chiredzi where the crime was committed. She also hoped that people would not keep reminding her of her past mistakes as she was now a completely changed person.

“I stole two cows from my uncle in December 2006 during the peak of economic difficulties because I was suffering as a widow with nine children and had nothing to give to them,” Mashopani narrated her ordeal.

“I sold the cows then for Z$600 each to butcheries, but was arrested and thrown in jail in January after my uncle reported the matter to the police.”

Mashopani said her prison experience had taught her that crime did not pay and she had reformed.

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The ex-convict said she experienced difficulties behind bars since she was imprisoned at the height of Zimbabwe’s economic hardships and food was scarce in prisons.

“Prison life was difficult, especially in 2006 because we were given one ‘cup’ of sadza only as our daily portions. Female prisoners had to share food with their babies in prison. However, sanitary wear was provided for by churches and other donors whose assistance we greatly appreciated,” she said.

Life in prison improved from 2007 onwards, and according to Mashopani, she was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries of the prison rehabilitation system where she was taught to teach pre-school classes to children in prisons with their mothers.

She, however, recalls one of her saddest moments in prison when she was told her triplets had died and she could not be present at their burial. “My triplets who were two years old when I was imprisoned died and I was only informed later about their death. I still do not know at what age they died and how. My brother, Cephas Mashopani, is the one who was taking care of my kids while I was in prison,” she said

Director of Female Prisoners Support Trust, an organisation that is helping reintegrate her back into the community, Rita Nyamupinga, said counselling sessions had already been done with Mashopani’s relatives to take her back.

“The uncle forgave her after receiving counselling from our organisation. He even tried to drop the charges whilst she was still at Chiredzi Remand Prison, but unfortunately for her, the court had already concluded the case and sentenced her.”

Nyamupinga said the biggest challenge they faced working with recently released prisoners was transporting them back to their homes, especially those from rural areas.

Legal officer with Female Prisoners Support Trust, Jula-julah Billiat, said most women got stiff prison sentences because they could not afford legal representation.

“A lot of women cannot afford legal representation and in most crimes committed by them mitigatory factors are greater than aggravatory factors, but due to lack of lawyers they end up being given stiff sentences,” Billiat said.

Counsellor for female prisoners with Female Prisoners Support Trust, Miriam Matope, said she was confident Mashopani would integrate well into society.

“She has learnt the hard way and with the prison rehabilitation system in which they are taught to do self-help projects, Mashopani should be able to live a normal life after prison. She should no longer be treated like a criminal. She has shown great skills in dealing with children while in prison,” Matope said.