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NewsDay

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Parly to debate dire state of prisons

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Parliament is expected to debate conditions at the country’s prisons including the contentious issue of diet for inmates.

Parliament is expected to debate conditions at the country’s prisons including the contentious issue of diet for inmates.

By VENERANDA LANGA

Before the House adjourned a fortnight ago, Zengeza East MP Alexio Musundire (MDC-T) was cleared by the National Assembly to introduce a motion calling on government to improve the conditions at the country’s prisons.

The situation of prisons in Zimbabwe has since deteriorated with inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison recently engaging in riots over poor diet.

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed before Parliament that the riots were about relish, and he also fingered convicted rapist pastor Robert Martin Gumbura as one of the alleged masterminds of the riots.

Musundire’s motion to be seconded by Mabvuku Tafara MP James Maridadi (MDC-T) will be discussed in May when the National Assembly resumes sitting.

“We are aware of the important role played by the prison services in correcting behaviour and rehabilitation of offenders, and note that the high unemployment rate is resulting in people resorting to criminal activities,” it reads.

“We are concerned that the living conditions in Zimbabwe’s prisons do not meet the minimum international standards, and further concerned by the riotous situation that prevailed at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on March 13, 2015 which resulted in the loss of life.”

Musundire said he wanted Parliament to debate the deterioration of prison infrastructure for projects which used to generate food for the inmates, as well as lack of alternative prison systems.

“We want the Executive to improve the diet in prisons so that it meets the minimum international standards and expand open prison systems to decongest prisons. Furthermore, Parliament must direct the respective Portfolio and Thematic Committees to inquire into the disturbances that transpired at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison,” Musundire said.

During the disturbances at Chikurubi, five prisoners were shot dead and several others were injured. However, unofficial reports said up to 30 inmates could have been shot dead during the riots.

When National Assembly MPs quizzed Mnangagwa over the riots, Mutare Central MP Innocent Gonese (MDC-T) suggested that prison farms should be utilised to ensure prisoners were well fed.

Development analyst Tapiwa Nyandoro yesterday said prison and Arda farms were currently under-resourced, but could be utilised to reduce the prison budget and supply prison caterers with protein, potatoes, beans, vegetables and cereals.