Story by Peter Chivhima
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is complying with the abolition of the death penalty and has started the process of converting hanging gallows into a museum and radio broadcasting studios.
The gallows at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison were initially used to execute offenders in the 1970s.
The last execution at Chikurubi was carried out in 1979 before the gallows were moved to Harare Central Prison, where the hangman’s noose was last used in 2005.
In line with the recent abolition of the death penalty, the ZPCS is transforming the former hangman structures, commonly known as gallows, into a museum and radio broadcasting studios.
“We want to applaud the government and the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service for converting these facilities into museum and radio broadcasting station. This means that they are walking the talk in terms of respecting the United Nations practices. We also want to thank President Emerson Mnangagwa for working hard and approving the bill into an act,” said director of Corporate Chaplaincy Services of Bridging the Gap Goundation, Brian Moyo.
“After our assessment we have seen that this place is ideal for setting up a radio station. All the facilities are good and ideal,” technical director of Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, Matthias Chakanyuka said.
Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison Officer in Charge, Chief Superintendent Alfred Machingauta and ZPCS Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu, concur the initiative aligns with the abolition of the death penalty.
“These facilities were used to execute prisoners. I had an opportunity to interact with some people who were on death sentence and the experience was so traumatic,” said Mr Machingauta.
“We are now converting those facilities, the gallows at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison into a museum and radio studios so that people can visit. In doing so, we will be also generating money. We are also complying with the abolition of the death penalty,” said Mr Chihobvu.
Chikurubi Security Maximum Prison is home to more than 2 000 inmates, with 90 percent of them serving long sentences.
