KEY POINTS
- ZPCS converts gallows into museum and radio studios.
- Initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s abolition of the death penalty.
- Chikurubi Prison repurposes spaces for education and public engagement.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is on the right direction towards matching the pace of the world in the process of abolition of death penalty, by the process of redesigning former execution office at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
Once used for capital punishment in the 1970s and early 2000s, the gallows are being converted into a museum and radio broadcasting studios, symbolizing a shift toward rehabilitation and historical reflection.
Gallows turned into tools for education and broadcasting
The gallows, last used in 2005 at Harare Central Prison, are being transformed into facilities that will educate the public and serve as a platform for broadcasting.
Speaking about the initiative, Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison’s Officer in Charge, Chief Superintendent Alfred Machingauta, described the traumatic legacy of the gallows and the importance of repurposing the facilities to reflect societal progress.
Furthermore, ZPCS Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu added that this conversion aligns with the abolition of the death penalty and offers an opportunity to generate revenue through museum visits.
“We are transforming these facilities into spaces of learning and communication, ensuring they serve a constructive purpose moving forward,” he said.
A milestone in Zimbabwe’s justice system
According to ZBC News, the initiative has received praise from stakeholders, including Brian Moyo, director of the Bridging the Gap Foundation, who commended the government and President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the progressive move.
Additionally, Technical Director of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, Matthias Chakanyuka, noted that the site’s infrastructure is ideal for hosting a radio station.
Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison currently hold over 2000 inmates and 90 percent of them are serving long sentences.
Also, the repurposing of the gallows into educational and communication tools marks a major step in Zimbabwe’s journey toward justice reform.
Moreover, this aligns with international standards set by the United Nations.
