Prisoners lose their maths teacher as Terence Mukupe is released

Former Deputy Finance Minister Terence Mukupe is released from prison, leaving behind a highly valued maths and commerce teaching role at Khami Maximum Prison (image source)

Former Deputy Minister of Finance Terence Mukupe has reportedly been released from prison after completing the custodial portion of his sentence, bringing an end to a chapter that unexpectedly turned him into one of Khami Maximum Prison’s most sought-after teachers. During his incarceration, Mukupe used his finance and mathematics background to teach commerce and maths to fellow inmates, a contribution prisoners say they will miss now that he has left the facility. Mukupe was serving an effective three-year sentence following his November 2023 conviction for a fraudulent fuel import scheme. Prosecutors proved that he imported diesel but falsely declared the consignment as “water in transit” to evade customs duty. His bid to overturn the conviction and sentence failed in November 2024 when the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, cementing a term that he spent, in part, transforming a prison classroom into a lifeline for inmates hoping to reset their futures. Though authorities have not issued an official statement on his release, multiple reports indicate he left custody “a few weeks ago,” a timeline consistent with him completing the custodial portion of his term while maintaining the remaining balance under standard correctional procedures.

Accounts from Khami describe how Mukupe structured lessons around practical numeracy, introductory economics, and exam-focused maths modules. Inmates who attended his classes reportedly achieved high pass rates, with those credits potentially supporting post-release opportunities in vocational training, small business management, and further education. In a facility where education programmes can be sporadic and under-resourced, the presence of an instructor with real-world finance experience offered rare continuity and relevance, aligning academic content with skills needed for reintegration. The end of Mukupe’s teaching stint brings renewed attention to the broader question of education in correctional settings. Zimbabwe’s prisons, like many across the region, face constraints in staffing, materials, and funding. When ad hoc programmes led by qualified inmates end, the gaps can re-emerge quickly. Rehabilitation experts argue that stable, professionally supported education is essential: literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills are among the strongest predictors of successful re-entry and reduced recidivism. Mukupe’s unexpected role underscores both the demand for such services and the need for institutional capacity that doesn’t rely on the happenstance of a skilled inmate’s presence.

Policy advocates suggest several steps to sustain momentum. First, formalize inmate-led instruction under supervision, ensuring curricula align with national standards and that credits are recognized beyond the prison walls. Second, strengthen partnerships with NGOs and education providers to deliver accredited programmes, including exam preparation and vocational certificates. Third, integrate post-release linkages — mentorship, apprenticeships, and microcredit for small enterprises — so that skills acquired inside translate into livelihoods outside. Corrections administrators could also pilot peer-tutor programmes supported by periodic professional oversight, maintaining learning even when individual instructors depart.

For former students, Mukupe’s release marks both a loss and a challenge: a loss of a dedicated teacher, and a challenge to keep learning while calling for sustained support. For the system, it’s a reminder that rehabilitation thrives where education is consistent, accredited, and geared to real opportunities. If Khami and other facilities can capture the lessons from this period without depending on exceptional circumstances, the prison classroom can remain open, structured, and effective long after any single instructor has gone.