REPORT ON VISIT TO PRISONS IN ZIMBABWE BY PROFESSOR E.V.O.
DANKWA, SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON PRISONS AND CONDITIONS OF
DETENTION
Introduction and Acknowledgement
At its 20th Ordinary Session which was held at Grand Bay, Mauritius from 21 -31
October 1996 the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights appointed me as
Special Rapporteur on the above subject and charged me with the responsibility of
revising the Draft Terms of Reference of my office which was considered by the
Commission at that session. Taken the view that a report to the 21st Session on my
activities over 6 months which consisted of only procedural matters should be less than
adequate, I decided to study the prison regime and related matters of one of the State
Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
My decision for so doing stemmed from the fact that whatever controversy there might be
on the text to be revised the study of prisons as contemplated by me would be
incontrovertible function of my office. Whatever portions which are exercised from the
original draft or amended, the study of prisons will remain.
I was further fortified in my decision by the unanimous decision of a Consultation on the
Draft Terms of Reference and matters connected therewith held in Banjul, The Gambia
from 8-12 January 1996 that a visit to the prisons of a country was a course of action
worthy of pursuit.
Being the first visit, and having to be planned within a short time, I took into account, in
the selection of country, factors such as language with which I am familiar, the likelihood
of agreement from the relevant officials for my visit, the co-operation I was likely to get
from the state officials and NGOs working in the area of my study as well as good
communication and road network which would make possible the accomplishment of
much within a relatively short time.
Mr. L. Chigwida, Commissioner of Prisons, Zimbabwe and other officials were ready to
receive me within a very short time of notification of my interest in visiting prisons in
Zimbabwe. They extended to me every assistance I needed, and thus eased the burden of
my task considerably.
February 1995, the Attorney-General, Mr. P.A. Chiwamasa found time to have
discussions with me, on the subject of my instant visit in particular and the Commission
in general. Mr. Y. Omerjee, Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs briefed
me about the open nature of Zimbabwean prisons especially its prisons regime including
the efforts being made to sustain a