HARARE – Zimbabwe’s government has announced plans to introduce the country’s first parole system, a move that coincides with an unexpected shakeup in top police leadership where President Emmerson Mnangagwa replaced the police commissioner. Mutamba who replaced Matanga, will assume leadership of the Zimbabwe Republic Police on January 1, 2025, replacing Commissioner-General Godwin Tandabantu Matanga, according to Martin Rushwaya, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet.
The leadership change coincides with significant reforms in Zimbabwe’s correctional system, as the government moves to implement the newly enacted Prisons and Correctional Service Act, which establishes a parole system and community correctional centers.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said his ministry is working with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) to align policies for the new initiatives. “These reforms are critical in reducing overcrowding and advancing rehabilitation,” Ziyambi said during a recent pass-out parade.
The new parole system will allow for conditional early release of prisoners, overseen by a State Parole Board that will evaluate inmates based on conduct, self-discipline, and reintegration potential.
ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu praised the reforms: “Reintegration programs are essential not only for personal growth but for enhancing public safety and reducing repeat offenses.”
The appointment of Mutamba marks the second major change in police leadership since 2018, when Matanga took office following the departure of Augustine Chihuri during the political transition that brought Mnangagwa to power.
To support former inmates’ reintegration, ZPCS is establishing a foundation to provide transition programs and resources. The initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s shift from punitive corrections to a rehabilitation-focused approach.
Minister Ziyambi has called for increased collaboration among African correctional services to develop effective reintegration strategies addressing continental challenges.
President Mnangagwa, speaking at the Ntabazinduna Training School, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming the correctional system, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment as key to building a more inclusive society.
