Prisoner transfers from SADC countries approved

Zimbabweans serving prison sentences in Southern African Development Community countries (SADC) will complete their sentences back home following the government’s approval of the ratification of the SADC Inter-State Protocol on the transfer of sentenced offenders. According to New Zimbabwe, under the protocol, Zimbabwe will also be able to send convicted offenders from neighbouring nations back to their home countries to complete their sentences. Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said the transfer would only happen after an agreement between the country where the person was convicted and their home country that would take over imprisonment. ‘...The majority of foreign nationals arrested in Zimbabwe would likely have been attempting to illegally cross to neighbouring South Africa for greener pastures, with Zimbabwe serving as a key transit route. As of October last year, Harare remand prison had illegal immigrants who had stayed in custody for over 10 years awaiting deportation. Immigration chief director Respect Gono last year told state-controlled media that as of September 2024, there were 368 jailed illegal immigrants, 274 were awaiting deportation, 61 were serving prison sentences and 33 were awaiting trial for various offences.

Full New Zimbabwe report