EX-CONVICT Takura Nyakabawu is a man who once escaped from prison. It cost him a lot, after he was arrested, as he spent a decade in jail. Now, he is a free man once again and claims that he is also a reformed man.
Last week, he returned to prison, not as a captured runaway convict, but as a free man revisiting his demons. He attended a meeting for ex-convicts, stakeholders, and current inmates at Harare Central Prison. He urged inmates not to tempted to try to escape from prison.
“In hindsight, I regret my decision to escape,” Nyakabawu said. “The humiliation I experienced during my incarceration, and the lasting mark of a criminal record, are burdens greater than I had anticipated. “I’ve seen many inmates, even those who received life sentences, regaining their freedom through amnesty or successful appeals.
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A former soldier, Nyakabawu now runs a poultry project after returning home from a stint in a neighbouring country. Another ex-convict, Peter Jacob, recounted his own journey from a death sentence in 1998 to life in prison. Deputy Commissioner General, Granisia Musango, said this was a very important meeting.
“By sharing your journeys – the struggles, setbacks, and victories – you illuminate the path for others who are preparing to reintegrate into society. “This meeting is more than just an event, it’s a celebration of transformation and resilience.”
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