Chikurubi gets water system upgrade from Red Cross

By Margaret Chinowaita

HARARE – Over 10 000 people at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison including inmates are now benefiting from an improved supply of clean water following repairs and upgrades of water infrastructure at the correctional facility.

Thomas Merkelbach, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which has been working with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) said addressing the needs of inmates by upgrading critical infrastructure in prisons such as the water supply system was one of the organisation’s priorities.

“We are privileged to have implemented this phase of a longer term effort together with the authorities and Zinwa (Zimbabwe National Water Authority),” Merkelbach said.

In 2012, the ICRC, ZPCS and Zinwa reached an agreement on improving the water supply at Chikurubi Prison Complex.

Three boreholes were drilled and equipped by the ICRC. These were connected to Zinwa reservoirs through pipes laid by ZPCS from the pump houses they built.

“The ZPCS and Zinwa will henceforth be responsible for the operational maintenance of the water supply,” said Merkelbach.

Deputy prisons commissioner-general Moses Chihobvu said; “Certainly, this excellent good gesture needs to be commended, as this donation has come after stretching a period of over 10 years without consistent running water at Chikurubi Prison Complex.”

Chihobvu said to further cement the maximum utilisation of water realised from the boreholes, the ICRC provided pipes for the main pipeline, repair pipes and accessories for leakage prevention.

“I am reliably informed that the water system being handed over to ZPCS today has a unique design in that two of the three boreholes operate at a given time while the third would be on standby. I have to acknowledge that this obviously guarantees adequate and constant supply of water to the complex,” said Chihobvu.

Simbarashe Chieza, 44, who has been an inmate at Chikurubi since 2007, said and he thinks of the old times in prison with sadness and even fear.

He told the Daily News that he would go for two weeks without bathing due to lack of water.

Chieza who will be reunited with his family upon his release in November will have something to smile about as he will be able to take a shower everyday.

“In 2007 when I was imprisoned we had no water to bath with or wash our clothes. We were always filthy now but we can bath and even flush our toilets.

“We feel good now because we have access to water, we thank ICRC and Zinwa for providing us with water.” said Chieza. Daily News