A total of 732 officers graduated from Ntabazinduna Prisons Training School on Friday after completing a range of internal professional courses, in a key event on the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) training calendar.
The ceremony also marked the first time ZPCS hosted non-commissioned allied forces at the institution, signalling increased collaboration within the security sector.
Among the guests was the Commissioner-General of Eswatini’s His Majesty’s Correctional Services, LaMakhosini Phindile Dlamini. Three officers from Eswatini were among the graduates, highlighting growing regional cooperation in correctional training.
Presiding over the event, Commissioner-General Dr Moses Cyril Ngawaite Chihobvu commended the Government for its support towards modernising and strengthening correctional services.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for the continued support and commitment towards strengthening our correctional service operations,” said Comm-Gen Chihobvu.
The officers completed training in several disciplines, including conversion courses, the Sergeant Majors’ course, supervisory course, basic security, basic instructors’ course, basic management, provost traffic, correctional police records, junior investigations, correctional reaction and tactics, and radio communication.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said the programmes are a strategic investment in human capital, equipping officers with skills required in modern correctional environments.
He said the nature of correctional work demands vigilance, integrity and moral strength.
“The environment in which you operate calls for the highest levels of discipline and ethical conduct. You must remain vigilant, uphold integrity and demonstrate unwavering moral strength in the execution of your duties,” he said.
Addressing allied graduates, he urged them to uphold the values acquired during training.
“We are proud of our allied graduands. As you return to your work stations, let your professional philosophy be anchored in honesty and integrity,” he said.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu warned against corruption, urging officers to uphold the values of the Service.
“Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very foundation of our institutions and tarnishes the image of the organisation. The wrath of the law will apply to anyone found guilty of such conduct without fear or favour,” he said.
The graduation forms part of ZPCS efforts to professionalise its workforce, improve service delivery in correctional institutions and strengthen regional cooperation in corrections management.
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