HARARE - The Zimbabwe Prison Service (ZPS) has plans to auction scrap vehicles to raise funds to repair the few remaining security vehicles used to transport inmates to and from the courts. {Pictured: Maj. Gen. Paradzayi Zimondi (Rtd.), head of the Zimbabwe prison service}A ZPS official who cannot be named said: This a self reliant project by the prison service after a continuous transport problem, and non availability of funds from the government to supplement or repair the depleted fleet. The idea is to inspect and recommend those vehicles which can no longer be repaired and dispose of them through an auction. The funds will be used to repair the few vehicles so that we at least have two vehicles on the road. Each prison workshop is going to conduct its public auction and use the raised funds to make vehicle repairs.
ZPS is faced with critical transport problems. It has been reported that the organisation has asked inmates relatives to provide them with transport to and from the courts.
Last month Deputy Justice Minister, Jessie Majome, admitted that ZPS was struggling to deliver services.
We have not been able to transport inmates to the courts since August last year because of the depleted fleet. But, we have managed to fix two of our security vehicles at Harare Remand Prison and they are back on the road. A lot needs to be done in our prisons and we are appealing for assistance to the public and the corporate world to keep the security organization going, said Majome.