Zimbabwe, Mozambique sign deal on prisoners

Zimbabwe and Mozambique yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will see prisoners from either country being repatriated to serve their jail sentences in their home country. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is in charge of the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio and Mozambique's Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Isaque Chande signed the Memorandum of Agreement establishing conditions for the transfer of inmates from one state to another.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Commissioner-General Major General (Rtd) Paradzai Zimondi and Mozambican General-Director for Penitentiary Service Commissioner Eduardo Massanhane signed the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on rehabilitation of offenders, human resource development and exchange visits.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the MoU and the MoA between the two countries, VP Mnangagwa said the event marked a positive development for both countries as it cemented their relations dating back to the liberation struggle.

"It is pleasing to note that the MoA's objectives are aimed at establishing conditions and mechanisms of sentenced inmates' transfer from one state to another, in order to make them fulfil their penalty in their states," said VP Mnangagwa.

"Whereas with regard to the MoU, the primary objective is to establish a framework for cooperation between the parties on how best to improve the standards of service within the Prisons and Correctional Institutions and ancillary matters."

VP Mnangagwa said the transfer of inmates to their countries would facilitate better rehabilitation as they will be able to get visits from their relatives. He said on the other hand, the MoU on cooperation would see the two countries having technical cooperation, education tours; and joint workshops, rehabilitation of offenders and any other mutual cooperation.

However, VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans were concerned with the developments in Mozambique where Renamo activities are threating peace and tranquility that obtained in that country.

"We are, however, happy and optimistic that the ongoing engagement and talks between the Government of Mozambique and Renamo will bear fruit for the good of the people and the country's socio-economic growth and development.

"This is the surest way towards guaranteed peace and security, not only between our two countries but also in the Sadc region and the African continent in general," said VP Mnangagwa.

Speaking through an interpreter, Minister Chande said the signing of the agreement was beneficial to the two countries. "We will work towards seeing that our prisoners serve their sentences in an environment that is closer to their families and as such, we are really grateful and satisfied.

"We are all aware that in our both countries we have our nationals serving sentences. It is also important to highlight that the numbers are not so huge. It is one thing that we are really happy about," said Minister Chande.

Speaking on the Renamo insurgency, Minister Chande said the Mozambican Government was committed to restoring peace and stability. He said there were positive signs that peace would be restored soon. Minister Chande is returning to Mozambique today.