Since her release in September 2009, Mukaratirwa has successfully managed to put her traumatic experience behind her. She was sentenced to five years imprisonment in January 2007 after being convicted of stealing a welding machine. She had two years and three months of her sentence suspended leaving her to serve an effective two years and nine months.
Determined to make a decent life after her release, Mukaratirwa learnt hairdressing skills from other female inmates at Chikurubi.
Presently, Mukaratirwa, a beneficiary of a rehabilitation programme by the Zimbabwe Association of Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender, is making a living from her skills.
ZACRO is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1923 as a prisoner’s aid society. It advocates for justice as well as respect and protection of prisoner’s rights in Zimbabwe.
“There was a time I had to take care of my two-year-old daughter because my boyfriend denied paternity of the child. I wasn’t working and things were tight. When I decided to steal the welding machine, I thought I could use the money to start a small business and earn a living to take care of my daughter,” said Mukaratirwa.
She said her first lesson in detention was the importance of working hard to earn a living. This inspired her to to learn hairdressing from fellow inmates.
“I decided that as soon as I got out of prison, I would have something to do to earn money rather than resorting to crime. Now, I am an expert in hairdressing and I am actually earning a living from it. I am also managing to send my kid to school.
“When I came out of prison, I got assistance from ZACRO but right now, I am managing life on my own because I am self-sufficient,” said Mukaratirwa.
Mukaratirwa invited ***The Zimbabwean into her nicely furnished cottage in Mbare.
“I never thought I would be able to own all this furniture one day but because I was determined to succeed, this is where I am today,” she said.
Mukaratirwa’s long-term goal is to own a salon one day.
“I would like to pursue my dream of becoming a businesswoman and own a salon so that I can make more money from this hairdressing business. Also, it is my dream that one day I will be able to build a house of my own,” said Mukaratirwa.
Her advice to other young women in desperate situations was simple:
“Even though life might get tough, they should look for something productive to do rather than resorting to crime. I learnt the hard way that crime does not pay. It not only affects you as an individual but also your family.”
Mukaratirwa’s is currently finding that some of her relatives are struggling to accept that she has reformed and are refusing to accept her back.
“People should learn to forgive those who have been imprisoned for criminal activities. They should know that we are reformed and are no longer the same people.
“People coming from prison need comfort and guidance because they want to be re-integrated into society and move on with their lives. Currently, I have relatives who do not even want to see me at their homes and that is affecting me,” said Mukaratirwa.
Post published in: News