By Panashe Kaseke
Comedienne Felistus Murata, affectionately known as Mai TT, has made an appeal for President Emerson Mnangagwa and the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, to free reformed female prisoners at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
Mai TT was released from jail last week, when the High court allowed her appeal against conviction and sentence on theft charges and , as she served the other part of her jail sentence for skipping community service eight years ago.
She was serving an effective sentence of nine months, three for not reporting for community service in 2015 as a result of a conviction of domestic violence, and an effective six months for theft of trust property for using a hired car as collateral for a loan.
Hosting a Facebook live recently, Mai TT pleaded for the president to consider the release of reformed female prisoners in Chikurubi maximum prison.
“I don’t have the power to free prisoners but I would like to make an appeal to President Emerson Mnangagwa to consider female prisoners, prisons no longer have thieves, murderers, and rapists, women have reformed and are fully empowered.
“I will be more than happy if the President and First Lady visit these women and have an insight on how well they have been empowered and how they have reformed.
“These women are very empowered to the extent of teaching me how to crochet handmade bags which were sold both locally and internationally whilst I was in prison.” She said,
She expressed her painful feelings towards women with long term jail sentences.
“There are women who will be staying in prison for as long as 2060, some 2070, and this pains me a lot and I’m pleading with the president to assist these female prisoners.”
She also explained the role being played with prisons in correcting prisoners’ criminal behaviors, empowering them and offering therapy to female prisoners in Zimbabwe.
