87 female inmates released
EIGHTY-SEVEN female inmates, who were serving various sentences at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, celebrated their freedom yesterday after President Mnangagwa pardoned 3 000 inmates countrywide in order to decongest prisons.
While the country’s prisons’ holding capacity stands at 17 000, they currently have more than 20 000 inmates.
However, nine female prisoners from Chikurubi did not qualify for amnesty as they were beneficiaries of the previous amnesty, hence, they will serve their full sentences.
The President extended the amnesty in terms of Section 112 (1) (a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
An elated Mrs Molyen Gono (37), who was serving a life sentence, said she was still to come to terms with the fact that she has been given another opportunity at life.
She thanked President Mnangagwa, who she described as a forgiving father, for the gesture.
“I was sentenced to life after I killed my child, who was suffering from fits as l could not bear the burden. I had served 13 years, but today l am a free woman. I am going back to my family in Kwekwe and l am hoping to start my sewing business,” she said, amid scenes of unrestrained joy and jubilation.
MDC-T activist Yvonne Musarurwa, who was serving a 20-year sentence for killing a police officer, Inspector Petros Mutedzi, in Glen View, thanked President Mnangagwa for the clemency.
Miss Musarurwa, who denied ever committing the crime, said she will continue working for the opposition party.
Shylet Sibanda (32), who was serving a life sentence for teaming up with her husband to murder a mechanic they had hired to fix their car, said she had been given another chance to raise her child.
“I want to thank the First Lady Amai Mnangagwa who visited us recently and promised to apologise to the President on our behalf. I will use this opportunity that l have been granted to turn a new leaf and raise my child to the best of my ability,” she said.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Banda said society should embrace the former inmates.
“I appeal to society to re-integrate them as they come. Yes, they have wronged society but they have paid in their own way. We also expect them as ex-inmates to behave themselves and be humble since they once wronged society,” she said.
“They have been blessed in abundance as they are going to be reunited with their families. We have done a favour to the children and the husbands out there who were alone. Women are required in a family set-up as they hold the family together.”
“For the women, we released all convicted females. Two females serving life sentences benefitted because we were looking at those sentenced to life before December 31, 2010, hence all the two females qualified.