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Marondera Prison Reserve inmates fetch water from an unprotected shallow well yesterday

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
More than 500 inmates are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases like cholera after the Zimbabwe National Water Authority disconnected water supply at the Marondera Prison Reserve over a US$375 000 debt. The prison complex is also home to more than 150 prison staff and their families.

The officer in charge of the prison, Superintendent Never Kambizi, yesterday said Zinwa cut the prison water supplies on December 4 and ever since the prisoners and staff have been fetching water from two unprotected shallow wells which were dug to mitigate the problem.

“We are sitting on a time bomb ever since Zinwa disconnected our water supply. We have been relying on the two wells we dug. The situation is serious as prisoners have to go out to fetch water that will mean added security and more risk of escaping. Only B Class prisoners who are considered to be less dangerous are the ones who go out and bath at a nearby river as well as fetch water under guard.

The C and D Class prisoners do not go out so it means they are not even bathing as we cannot fetch enough water for all of them,” he said.

Supt Kambizi said they were afraid that a cholera outbreak may hit the prison soon as the facility had 569 inmates.

He said the women’s section had 13 inmates and the situation was easier to contain.
Zinwa wrote to the Zimbabwe Prison Services last month informing them that they would cut water supplies to the prisons in Manyame catchment if they fail to honour the debt.

“Please note that we are now unable to continuously offer you uninterrupted services without payment from you.

“We hope that you will avert this disaster by making prompt payment without further dealy,” read part of the letter which was written by Zinwa Manyame catchment accountant signed only as Meke J on behalf of the catchment manager.