Harare giants Dynamos have pledged to face inmates from the Harare Central Prison in a football match at Gwanzura this Saturday to mark the Zimbabwe Prisons Day.

Dynamos toured the Harare Central Prison after finishing their training on Wednesday afternoon as part of the club’s social responsibility.

The players were led by the club’s executive Treasurer Webster Marechera and the entire technical team comprising head coach Lloyd Mutasa, his assistant Murape Murape, goalkeeper’ coach Gift Muzadzi and team manager Richard Chihoro.

The prisoners were overwhelmed by the visit with assistant coach Murape Murape, Roderick Mutuma, Denver Mukamba, Sydney Linyama and Wisdom Mutasa being the favourites.

The players shared experiences, jokes and sentiments with the prisoners.

They also joined in their choir as inmates took time to demonstrate amazing vocal talents.

Football talents are also found there, and will be on display on Saturday. The prisoners have their football pitch behind the high walls where different teams often clash in entertaining duels.

By the way, there is also a team called Dynamos at Harare Central, which took the opportunity to appeal to their peers for donations of kits and equipment.

DeMbare coach Mutasa said the tour was worthwhile.

“Dynamos is a big club and our existence should be felt in the community. In the same vein, we should also seek to visit the sick and the needy.

“I am sure the prison officials also realised that this is a big club and decided to associate with us on their Prisons Day. That’s the value they place on sport.

“And on a personal note, the prisons officials allowed me to go and work at Dynamos whilst I am their employee. There is always that relationship.

“This tour was very important. Our coming here was to show the inmates that they are human like everyone else and they deserve our love and care.

“The people in this prison are here because of different offences which they have committed while others could be here by mistake.

“But the good thing is the realization that these places are rehabilitation centres where people are equipped and empowered so that when they go back into the society they will fit in easily.

“Besides mingling and socializing with the inmates, I think our players also learnt something from what they saw here. This is not a good place to be and I’m sure this could act as a deterrent to some who may contemplate committing crime,” said Mutasa. 

Assistant Commissioner Norbert Chomurenga said the tour by DeMbare was priceless to the inmates. He said they have set up a prisons select team to face Dynamos on their big day this Saturday.

“We are happy to have Dynamos supporting our Prisons Day programme. They know that they have some of their supporters in prison and I can tell you these guys were happy to them in person.

“It is not every day that they get to meet their football idols. It’s important to show inmates that they are also part of the society.

“No one wants to spend time behind these walls, not even the relatives of the inmates like visiting this place but Dynamos have chosen to come and mingle with the guys. It’s an important gesture,” said Chomurenga.