The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS)
Masvingo region recently released a convicted rapist from Mutimurefu Prison so
that he could enjoy a one-day golf jamboree at Masvingo Golf Club, TellZim News
has learnt.
Aubrey Cummings, a businessman in the automotive industry,
is serving a 15-year jail sentence after being convicted of repeatedly raping
his minor niece since she was in grade six up until she was in secondary
school.
Cummings was the minor’s guardian and the first incident of
the rape happened at his Rhodene house when the girl was 11 years old.
He was however allowed to participate in the Zimbabwe
Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), Commissioner General’s Goodwill Trust
Fund golf tournament held on April 13.
He played in a four ball that included some respected
golfers.
After the tournament, sources said, Cummings was
chauffeured to a more comfortable cell at Masvingo Remand Prison for the night,
instead of being immediately driven back to Mutimurefu.
When Cummings was sentenced by regional magistrate Dambudzo
Malunga in 2017, he swore and threatened his minor victim – who was now 16
years of age – with unspecified action once he got released from prison.
Some fellow golfers were horrified by the arrangement,
saying the move showed that real jail time in Zimbabwe was for the poor.
“We have an unrepentant rapist who, upon being sent to
prison, threatened the victim right in front of the court now being pampered
with VIP treatment and being allowed to play golf. It was an uninformed
decision which tainted the spirit of the tournament, one of whose objectives is
to raise funds to improve the welfare of vulnerable children and orphans. What
message then does that sent to society?” said one golfer who preferred
anonymity.
Another one said ZPCS was abusing its so-called
rehabilitative programmes to treat rich people with kiddies’ gloves.
“I think that was a disgraceful thing to do. Cummings has
not yet served even two years of his lengthy prison term yet he is already
being allowed to enjoy select luxury privileges.
“ZPCS must have considered the feelings of the young girl
who was repeatedly abused. And to imagine that it all happened a few weeks
after we commemorated International Women’s Day is outrageous,” said another
golfer.
Others said the inclusion of Cummings was a PR disaster for
an organisation that claims to champion the cause of justice and for a
tournament that seeks to, among other things, help the cause of vulnerable
children.
“He enjoyed cold drinks, braaied meat and a warm bath like
everybody else. He didn’t at all look like a prisoner. You could see he was
having a time of his life,” complained another player.
When contacted for comment, ZPCS Masvingo public relations
officer Stanslous Sanike said it was usual for them to allow Cummings to play
in the tournament.
“We often do that. He is a golfer so he was allowed to play
as part of our rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for prisoners,” said
Sanike.
When asked what criteria are used to select beneficiaries,
Sanike said any prisoner could be considered to go out and play.
“Any person can apply for permission. We however consider
such things as good behavior and wouldn’t release somebody who endangers
community,” he said.
He, however, would not confirm whether or not special
sleeping arrangements were made for Cummings after the tournament.
Sources at Mutimurefu, however, said Cummings was being
given preferential treatment because he had a ‘good working relationship with
the prison’.
“Some of our vehicles are serviced at his workshop when
they break down. He also recently bought a big TV screen for the prison so he
was rewarded with his own separate cell where he has unlimited access to
satellite television. He also doesn’t eat prison food because he is a Muslim
who should only take halaal. His family brings him warm food from home every
day,” said the source
Recent media revelations were that corruption was getting
out of hand in prisons, with reports that prison warders and guards were
working with rich inmates in such vices as smuggling contraband, facilitating
secret conjugal visits and setting up illicit business deals.
Three prison officers are currently on trial in Harare on
many allegations that include favouring businessman Munyaradzi Kereke, who is
serving time for rape, with unscheduled visits by his wives and extra time
behind prison walls while other prisoners toiled. Tell Zimbabwe
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