Khami Inmate Fights to Reunite with Family After Disputed Rape Sentence

BULAWAYO — A 28-year-old inmate at Khami Maximum Prison has made an emotional plea to prison authorities for assistance in reconciling with his family, following his 2019 conviction for raping his sister’s daughter — a charge he claims was fabricated amid a dispute over unpaid farm wages.

Thabisa Nkala was sentenced to 17 years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour.

He alleges the rape charge was orchestrated by his aunt, who had employed him as a farmworker and later refused to pay him after two months of labour.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival in Bulawayo, where he performed as part of a prison arts group, Nkala appealed to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) to help bridge the emotional rift with his relatives.

His participation came under ZPCS rehabilitation programmes aimed at reforming inmates through traditional music and cultural expression.

“My plea is simple — I need a proper platform to speak with my family. I am still haunted by what happened, but what hurts most is how no one wants to talk about it. How can we heal without dialogue?”, Nkala said.

Nkala claims he took up the farming job in good faith, after being promised US$300 per month. However, after two unpaid months and a warning from a co-worker, he says he learned of an alleged plot to accuse him of rape — a move he believes was meant to remove him from the property.

“One of the workers pulled me aside and warned me — said my aunt was planning something. I thought it was gossip until the police arrived and arrested me for something I did not do,” he recalled.

Following his conviction, Nkala was transferred to Khami Maximum Prison, where he has now served five years.

Despite adjusting to life behind bars, he says his conviction remains a silent weight during family visits — a subject never discussed, making genuine reconciliation impossible.

According to The Herald, the rape allegation has never been openly addressed by his relatives, who continue to visit occasionally but avoid all reference to the case.

Nkala believes this silence has deepened the emotional divide.

As part of his rehabilitation, he joined Amabhubesi Sons of Asegai, a traditional music ensemble made up of inmates.

Through this group, he has performed at various cultural events and sees it as a vehicle for personal and societal transformation.

“We are not just prisoners — we are sons, brothers, fathers. This festival shows the talent behind bars and allows us to reclaim a piece of our humanity,” he said.

Nkala used the public platform to urge private companies and organisations to support inmate rehabilitation programmes, especially those that promote traditional culture.

He believes such initiatives can play a pivotal role in rebuilding dignity and helping prisoners reconnect with communities.

In response, Chief Correctional Officer Resias Chikwetu, who oversees rehabilitation programmes in Bulawayo Province, said ZPCS is committed to helping inmates restore family ties ahead of reintegration.

“As ZPCS, our mandate includes preparing inmates for reintegration. We will reach out to the family to try and initiate a conversation that can lead to reconciliation,” Chikwetu said.

Whether reconciliation unfolds or remains a distant hope, Nkala believes healing must begin before the prison gates open.

For now, he waits — not just for freedom, but for forgiveness, truth, and the chance to be seen beyond a conviction.