Pride vs. Liberty: "Liquid Yonke" Swaps Community Service for Crowded Prison Cell
- Southerton Business Times
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Harare, Zimbabwe- Ex-convict Bernard Hwete, widely known as "Liquid Yonke," has returned to the prison system less than two years after his release, following a bizarre refusal to perform community service. Despite being offered a non-custodial sentence for the theft of a high-value iPhone, Hwete told the Harare Magistrate that he would not clean the city, arguing that such tasks are the sole responsibility of the Harare City Council.
Hwete, who completed a drug-related sentence in March 2024, blamed a "lady of the night" for his legal relapse. According to his account:
The Incident: While at a nightclub on Nelson Mandela Avenue, a woman allegedly stole a high-end iPhone. Hwete grabbed the device from her, unaware of the impending "chaos."
The Valuation Gap: Hwete attempted to "settle" the matter by offering the woman US$40 for the phone. However, the victim was reportedly tipped off that the device’s market value was comparable to a Honda Fit (approximately US$3,000–$5,000).
The Arrest: Following the failed negotiation, Hwete was reported to the police and subsequently convicted of theft.
By choosing incarceration over community service, Hwete has entered a facility currently operating at over 200% capacity.
Capacity: 1,128 inmates.
Current Population: 2,260 inmates.
The Sentence: 12 months in prison, with five months suspended (effectively seven months to serve).
Despite his defiance in court, Hwete was among the beneficiaries of a recent outreach initiative by the Pathway to Reintegration Foundation (PAREF) and the ZPCS. The event saw a significant donation from Madzibaba Nigel Dokwani of Johanne Masowe yeChishanu, who provided inmates with:
Plastic shoes and toiletries.
Toothbrushes and soccer balls to aid in recreation and hygiene.
The case highlights a growing concern for the judiciary: while community service is designed to de-congest prisons, the refusal by convicts to participate further strains an already overextended correctional system.
Bernard Hwete Liquid Yonke prison
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