The Zimbabwe Prison Service Officer Commanding Manicaland province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Moses Chihobvu, announced the development during a recent tour of Mutare ZPS facilities by a delegation of Mozambican prison officials.
Chihobvu said the decision to exchange the prisoners followed a security meeting involving prison officials from both countries in Maputo recently.
“There is no time frame for the programme but as soon as our principals sign a memorandum of understanding, the exercise is going to be effected,” said Chihobvu. Currently there are 20 Zimbabweans serving jail terms in Manica province in Mozambique while four Mozambicans are detained at Mutare Remand Prison for offences that include flouting immigration laws, assault and theft. The Head of Prison Services in Manica and Chimoio, Director General Francisco Da Silva Mate, said there was need for the two countries to boost their economies in order to reduce crime, as “rich people do not steal”.