EIGHTY-FIVE female convicts were yesterday afternoon released from Mlondolozi Prison courtesy of President Robert Mugabe’s amnesty.
INNOCENT NXUMALO OWN CORRESPONDENT
Mugabe pardoned close to 2 000 prisoners countrywide with effect from yesterday.
A Southern Eye news crew was at hand to witness the release of the 85 female inmates who ululated and gyrated as they were let out of the prison facility just after 4:30pm.
The first batch out of Mlondolozi included murderers, those convicted of attempted murder, sexual perverts, thieves and other malcontents whose ages ranged from 23 to 71 years. Betty Ncube (71), who was serving a 15-year sentence for murder, could not hide her joy after spending eight years behind bars.
“I am grateful to God and the government,” said Ncube, who hails from Tsholotsho and had been transferred from Hwange to Mlondolozi.
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“I am going back home (Tsholotsho),” said Fransisca Mpala (24), who was initially sentenced to nine months for theft.
She was overwhelmed and could hardly believe that she was going to rejoin her family after serving five months.
Chief prison officer Cathrine Madanga said she would miss some of the pardoned inmates having developed close relations with them.
“Hopefully some will use the skills learnt during their incarceration to start new lives,” said Madanga.
