Paul Pindani in Chinhoyi
There is need to ensure good hygiene and the observance of preventative measures to curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in prisons, a government official has said.
Women’s Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises and Community Development deputy minister, Jennifer Mhlanga, made the call during the hand-over of personal protective equipment to Chinhoyi Prison recently.
“Coronavirus is real and it has taken many lives. We, therefore, need to put measures to prevent it’s spread, particularly in prisons where there are huge numbers of people in the same space.
“You are your brother’s keeper, meaning that you have to remind one another to wear face masks, keep the physical distance and wash hands,” said Mhlanga.
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Mhlanga, in addition, donated face masks that she received from TelOne.
The minister took the opportunity to say her ministry would soon roll-out empowerment projects for both inmates and prison wardens.
In accepting the donation, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services head of Chinhoyi Prison, Superintendent Florence Chigwida, said the donation, availed by Geoprec Industries, would go a long way in averting the spread of the disease in the correctional facility which houses 242 males and two female inmates.
Geoprec managing director, George Mbudzi, said his organisation had donated to the prison as part of its corporate social responsibility, and would continue to lend a helping hand in the fight against Covid-19.
– HMETRO
