Zimpapers Logo

Guards injured

Inmate killed

Freeman Razemba Harare Bureau
ONE inmate was killed while eight others as well as three prison guards were seriously injured when 900 prisoners ran amok yesterday afternoon at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, rioting over the quality of food.

The inmates torched blankets and damaged property in the melee that lasted for more than three hours.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) sources said the riot started around 12 noon.

When our Harare Bureau crew arrived at the prison, hundreds of armed and unarmed Support Unit officers and other security agents, had been called to control the situation.

The initial reports had indicated that five prisoners had disarmed guards and escaped.

The fire brigade was also called in to put out the fire.

The situation was tense and most of the visitors were not allowed in. Gun shots could be heard from outside as the security agents moved in to contain the situation.

Some witnesses said the prisoners climbed towers, saying they were prepared to die.

ZPCS spokesperson Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Banda-Karinda, yesterday said investigations were in progress.

“The inmates had been released to have their lunch, unfortunately they protested the type of relish they had been given — vegetables, which they didn’t want.

“We don’t know what they really wanted. When we were trying to find out exactly who wanted to eat and who didn’t, there was stampede all over the place. So we are still investigating to ascertain if the stampede was targeted towards escaping or if it was something else,” she said.

“We will let you know more once the investigations have been completed. No one escaped. About eight of them (prisoners) were injured as well as three prison officers. The doctors are assessing the extent of the injuries,” she said.

Seven of the prisoners, Chief Supt Banda-Karinda said, were referred to government hospitals for treatment, while the other one was being monitored at prison hospital.

“Unfortunately, one prisoner died. He was caught up in the stampede and he wasn’t shot,” Chief Supt Banda — Karinda said.

She said the prison guards who were injured were in a stable condition and receiving treatment.

Chief Supt Banda-Karinda said warning shots were fired using blank ammunition as officers tried to control the inmates.

“The situation is calm, but we are still monitoring. There are 4,663 prisoners. But of the two concerned areas, one has 445 and the other has 443 prisoners and those are the areas that were involved in the riot.

“At maximum security prison, we have dangerous prisoners and these include those that have been convicted of murder and rape. We have assistance from Support Unit and our friendly forces are all in to assist and we are still looking at how best we can contain the situation for the night as we carry out investigations,” she said. Chief Supt Banda-Karinda said they had adequate food to feed the prisoners, but could not disclose how blankets were to be sourced.

Since 2013, there had been reports that ZPCS had been failing to feed the estimated 17,000 inmates in the country’s 42 correctional facilities at the prescribed standard dietary scale. The service was also struggling to transport remand prison inmates to court as it continued to grapple with fuel challenges.

Reports indicated that the inmates were being fed porridge without sugar, bread and tea for breakfast.

They were also being served sadza and spinach for a combined lunch and supper.

Health experts said such a diet would lead to malnutrition and eventually health complications.

Latest findings show that a large number of the inmates were suffering from scurvy and pellagra among other diseases.

ZPCS said feeding the inmates was a daunting task and budgetary constraints had resulted in the prisoners not getting the prescribed standard dietary scale as prescribed in Statutory Instrument 96 of 2012.

However, Chief Supt Banda-Karinda could not disclose what constituted the diet.

Speaking before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs last year, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Virginia Mabhiza, said the ministry required $21 million annually to feed inmates.