Chikurubi Female Prison has been overpopulated for the past three weeks because it is housing over 30 foreign inmates awaiting deportation.
The foreign inmates as well as mentally challenged inmates
have pleaded with authorities to quickly address their issues in the wake of
ravaging Covid-19.
Of the 151 inmates recorded yesterday 77 are either on
remand, awaiting deportation or mentally challenged.
The mentally challenged are under the mercy of the health
board which sits annually to address their issues.
One of the inmates, of Malawian origin, raised concerns to
officials representing five companies who toured the prison yesterday to assess
the situation and conditions at the institution with a view to meet part of the
needs.
“Due to Covid-19 restrictions inmates are not being visited
and that is affecting our diet, shortage of food and other personal protection
equipment when we as foreigners expected to be taken to our countries,” she
said refusing to identify herself.
“About 26 Malawians have been caged here for the past three
weeks waiting for immigration officials to process documents for deportation.
“Food is scarce here and we do not see any reason to be
counted at the kitchen queuing for food considering that some of the inmates
are nursing their babies.
“They deserve enough food to cater for their innocent
children accompanying them to serve their sentences,” she said.
The visitors who toured the prison were from Nestle
Zimbabwe, ZimTrade, Polylife, Bravo Petroleum and Progil Investments. H Metro
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