Prisons Close Hanging Gallows, Turn Them To Museum – Eduzim News

By James Gwati- The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has repurposed the infamous hanging gallows at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison into a museum and radio broadcasting studios.
This transformation marks a significant step following Zimbabwe’s recent abolition of the death penalty.

The gallows at Chikurubi were originally used in the 1970s to execute offenders.

The last execution at the facility took place in 1979 before the execution chamber was relocated to Harare Central Prison, where the death penalty was last carried out in 2005.

Since then, Zimbabwe had maintained an unofficial moratorium on executions, culminating in the formal abolition of capital punishment under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

Brian Moyo, Director of Corporate Chaplaincy Services for Bridging the Gap Foundation, hailed the initiative, saying, “This transformation signifies a genuine commitment to respecting United Nations human rights practices. We applaud the government and ZPCS for leading this reform, and we thank President Mnangagwa for championing the abolition of the death penalty.”

The project has drawn technical support from the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

Matthias Chakanyuka, BAZ’s technical director, noted the site’s suitability for broadcasting purposes: “After our assessment, we determined that this place is ideal for a radio station, with all necessary facilities in place.”

Chikurubi’s Officer in Charge, Chief Superintendent Alfred Machingauta, described the psychological toll of the death penalty, saying, “I have interacted with individuals who were on death row, and their experiences were profoundly traumatic. Transforming these facilities gives new meaning to a place once associated with despair.”

ZPCS Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu highlighted the practical benefits of the conversion: “This initiative allows us to generate revenue through museum visits while also symbolizing our alignment with modern penal reforms and the abolition of the death penalty.”

Zimbabwe’s death penalty history is intertwined with its colonial and post-independence legal systems.

Executions were a common feature during the 1970s and early 1980s, primarily targeting political dissidents and convicted criminals.

However, no executions have been carried out since 2005, owing to growing advocacy against the practice and a lack of a hangman willing to perform the grim task.

The abolition of the death penalty is a milestone in Zimbabwe’s justice system.

President Mnangagwa, himself a former death row inmate during the liberation struggle, has been a vocal advocate against capital punishment.

His government’s approval of the bill to abolish the death penalty demonstrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to aligning with global human rights standards.

Located on the outskirts of Harare, Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison houses over 2,000 inmates, with the majority serving long sentences.

Known for its harsh conditions, the prison has been at the center of various reform initiatives aimed at improving the rehabilitation of inmates.

The conversion of the gallows into a museum and radio studios is expected to contribute to educational and awareness efforts while generating revenue for the ZPCS.

It also provides an opportunity for the public to engage with the history of Zimbabwe’s justice system, learn about the abolition of the death penalty, and explore avenues for promoting restorative justice.

This transformation represents a symbolic closure of a dark chapter in Zimbabwe’s penal history, paving the way for a new era centered on rehabilitation and human rights.

Related