By Dumisani Ndlovu
Kwekwe, Midlands Province – In a heartwarming display of compassion, Honourable Owen Ncube, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, joined inmates and their families for a joyous luncheon at Kwekwe Prison, marking the Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Service (ZPCS) Family Week.
The event, aimed at reintegrating families separated by legal processes, was made possible by the Second Republic’s people-centric leadership under President E.D. Mnangagwa. Minister Ncube applauded the President’s visionary leadership, citing the provision of transport vehicles to ensure timely prosecution of cases and the granting of amnesty to thousands of inmates through the Presidential pardon.
In a gesture of kindness, Minister Ncube spent time with over 200 inmates whose relatives couldn’t attend, braaing with them and offering words of encouragement. He also commissioned a solar-powered borehole at Shurugwi Female Prison, courtesy of the President.
The Midlands province also expressed gratitude for the philanthropic work of First Lady Dr. A. Mnangagwa, whose Angel of Hope Foundation has supported the elderly, child-headed families, widows, people with disabilities, and inmates. Her efforts have facilitated seamless reintegration of offenders and provided critical support to babies of imprisoned mothers.
Minister Ncube emphasized that rehabilitation and future reintegration of inmates are top priorities for the Second Republic. As the ZPCS Family Week came to a close, he urged everyone to enjoy the moment and look forward to a brighter future, saying, “There is life after prison.’