Prison launches driving school at Chikurubi

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has commissioned a new driving school at Chikurubi Training School, aimed at providing comprehensive driver training to correctional officers, inmates, and eventually, the general public.

The initiative marks a significant step in enhancing ZPCS's institutional capacity, with officials hailing it as a strategic move to bolster operational efficiency and promote rehabilitation through skills development.

The official commissioning ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joshua Sacco, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Norbert Mazungunye, Public Service Commission Commissioner Larry Mavima, ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu, Deputy Commissioner-General Shepherd Mpofu, and other senior government officials.

In his keynote address, Deputy Minister Mazungunye described the launch as a milestone in the ongoing transformation of the ZPCS.

"Today's commissioning of this driving school is a strategic step forward and an initiative designed to complement Government efforts by enhancing the skills and competencies of our officers through specialised driver training," he said.

He added that the programme would play a crucial role in preserving the growing ZPCS vehicle fleet, by ensuring that trained and disciplined drivers are behind the wheel, which will safeguard both human and material resources.

Mazungunye praised the collaborative efforts behind the project, particularly the support from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.

"This is a true demonstration of inter-ministerial cooperation. Competent and responsible driving is not just a skill; it is fundamental to public safety and the discipline of our institutions," he said.

The Chikurubi Driving School will offer structured training programmes that combine theoretical instruction and practical road experience, catering to those pursuing Class 4, Class 2, and Class 1 driver's licences.

While primarily intended for ZPCS staff and inmates, the facility will eventually open its services to the general public, aligning with broader government goals to expand access to vocational training.

The initiative forms part of a wider push by the ZPCS to integrate rehabilitation with tangible life skills and support successful reintegration of offenders into society. It also complements national efforts to professionalise public institutions and improve service delivery.

Commissioner-General Chihobvu said the driving school is one of several upcoming projects meant to transform the ZPCS into a modern, service-oriented institution, while Deputy Minister Sacco reiterated the government's support in ensuring the facility meets national standards for driving instruction.