Zimbabwean prisoners in SA could soon serve time back home

`Zimbabweans serving prison sentences in South Africa could soon have the option of serving their time closer to their families under a proposed agreement between the two neighbouring countries.

Zimbabwe's Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi and South Africa's Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries' correctional authorities.

A key component of the proposed agreement is the transfer of sentenced offenders between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Under the arrangement, eligible Zimbabwean prisoners serving sentences in South Africa could potentially be transferred to Zimbabwe, while South African offenders incarcerated in Zimbabwe could be moved to their home country.

The proposed transfer mechanism is intended to address the challenges faced by foreign nationals serving sentences outside their home countries, particularly the separation from their families.

Groenewald said research had shown that many foreign inmates preferred to serve their sentences in their countries of origin.

Regular contact with family members can play an important role in rehabilitation and may help reduce the risk of reoffending.

For Zimbabweans incarcerated in South Africa, a prisoner-transfer mechanism could therefore make it easier for relatives to maintain contact with them during their sentences.

However, the proposed MoU would not mean that every Zimbabwean prisoner in South Africa would automatically qualify for transfer.

Any transfer would be subject to the procedures, eligibility requirements and conditions agreed upon by the two governments.

The proposed agreement also extends beyond the transfer of prisoners. Zimbabwe and South Africa plan to cooperate in areas including information sharing, human-resource development, technical cooperation and exchange visits.

The two correctional authorities are also expected to share expertise and best practices in the management of correctional facilities.

Another area of cooperation will focus on self-sustainability projects within prisons, particularly in agriculture and industry.

The initiatives are intended to strengthen rehabilitation while equipping inmates with practical skills that could improve their prospects after release.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services already places emphasis on rehabilitation, skills development, economic activities and the reintegration of offenders into society.

The agreement could also create opportunities for correctional officials from both countries to exchange expertise through staff exchanges, official visits and technical cooperation.

South African Police Service National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale also attended the bilateral engagement and stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between correctional authorities across Africa.

The proposed MoU comes as Zimbabwe and South Africa seek to deepen their broader bilateral relationship.

The South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission is scheduled for Friday, August 21, in Pretoria, where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to host President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Presidency has said the meeting will review existing bilateral commitments and identify opportunities to deepen cooperation, with several agreements and MoUs expected to be signed.

For families with relatives imprisoned across the border, a prisoner-transfer arrangement could have a significant humanitarian impact.

Zimbabweans serving sentences in South Africa can be hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from relatives who may struggle to afford regular cross-border travel.

Allowing eligible offenders to serve their sentences in their home country could make family contact easier while supporting rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.

At the same time, the agreement would establish a formal framework for Zimbabwe and South Africa to cooperate in managing offenders who are nationals of the other country.

The proposed MoU therefore represents more than administrative cooperation between correctional authorities. It could provide a mechanism for keeping eligible foreign prisoners closer to their families while strengthening rehabilitation, skills development and cross-border criminal justice cooperation.