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Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
Chikurubi Female Prison inmates on Wednesday received a special Valentine’s Day treat from Musha Mukadzi Foundation patron Mrs Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired). Mrs Chiwenga donated goods worth thousands of dollars, which comprised five computers, 100 cases of disposable pads, sewing machines, five boxes of soap, six bales of clothes, maize-meal, sewing material and foodstuffs.

Chikurubi Prison has a holding capacity of 320 inmates and currently holds 187 inmates.
It houses convicted and unconvicted prisoners that comprise of 16 detained mental patients, 22 committed mental patients, eight prohibited immigrants, one foreigner and 27 babies with ages ranging from 2 weeks to 36 months.

Addressing the inmates after touring some of the facilities, Mrs Chiwenga said society must not wait to express their love on Valentine’s Day.

“Today being the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day is when couples alike show each other affection through buying gifts for each other, sending flowers.
“I want this day to be the day that l give the best of me. However, we should not wait for Valentine’s Day to spread our love,” she said.

“We are here to share love, to give hope and a purpose, there is no greater joy than the purpose for which God created us for.”
Mrs Chiwenga implored the female inmates to work hard, study and empower themselves.
“It is encouraging to hear that some of you are pursuing educational studies to equip yourselves with knowledge that gives you power. I hope that you use the computers for research and sewing machines for making re-usable sanitary pads,” she said.

“Let us work hard, His Excellency Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa is always saying it is no longer business as usual in the fight against corruption.
“Let us work hard and not end up being locked here serving different crimes.”
Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi commended the work being done by the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and Amai Chiwenga.

“Today is Valentine’s Day, but Amai Chiwenga has decided to be with us despite her busy schedule. I want to say 2018 will be a good year for us. On Christmas Day we received our First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa who spent the day with us and today we have a visit from the wife of our Vice President,” he said.