Commissioner General Dr. Moses Cyril Ngawaite Chihobvu and his officers in Morocco
By Brenda Mazhambe
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) attended the 7th Biennial Conference of the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA), held from May 12–16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco where the Zimbabwe contingent shared Zimbabwe’s progress while learning innovstions from other organisations across the continent.
The event, which brought together representatives from 37 African member states under the theme “Advancing Technology in the Management of Prisons Systems in Africa: A Critical Objective,” served as a platform for robust dialogue and innovation in corrections across the continent.
Leading the Zimbabwean delegation was Commissioner General Dr. Moses Cyril Ngawaite Chihobvu, whose leadership continues to shape ZPCS into a modern, rehabilitative institution rooted in professionalism and progressive correctional practice.
Zimbabwe was re-elected as ACSA Vice Secretary, a testament to its continued leadership and commitment within the continental correctional fraternity. This recognition reinforced Zimbabwe’s role as a key participant in advancing correctional services across Africa.
Under the thematic area “Prison Agriculture and Food Security,” ZPCS delivered a well-received presentation titled: “Harnessing Technological Innovation for Sustainable Prison Agriculture and Food Security: The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Experience.”
The presentation highlighted ZPCS’s transformation journey in correctional agriculture—from outdated, labor-intensive methods to the integration of mechanized farming, smart agricultural technologies, and climate-resilient practices. These innovations have significantly enhanced both food security within correctional facilities and the rehabilitation outcomes for inmates.
Attendees praised the ZPCS approach, with several countries expressing interest in benchmarking Zimbabwe’s model. By equipping inmates with entrepreneurial and modern farming skills, ZPCS is not only feeding its population but also ensuring that inmates reenter society with marketable competencies aligned with best practices.
Zimbabwe’s participation and leadership at the conference reflect its broader commitment to correctional reform, regional cooperation, and the promotion of human dignity within prison systems. The country’s contributions strongly aligned with ACSA’s mission of fostering humane, rights-based correctional practices rooted in accountability and innovation.
South Africa was elected as the new Chair of ACSA, marking a renewed commitment to collaborative leadership across the continent. The next ACSA Biennial Conference is scheduled to be hosted by South Africa in 2027, with Zambia set to host the Ministerial Consultative Forum in 2026.
ZPCS’s performance in Morocco reaffirmed its standing among Africa’s committed correctional institutions and provided a powerful example of how technological innovation can contribute to positive transformation within the justice and correctional systems.
