Ex-Convict Shows There Is Life After Prison
Chakalisa Dube | Monday April 7, 2014 10:58
He came out of jail a stronger person, ready for the challenges ahead. As they say, the rest is history. The Changate native has become a good example of what an ex-convict can do outside prison to live a better life. In prison, he had learnt upholstery.
When he was released from jail in late 2010, he was lucky to be employed by Line Feed in Francistown as an upholster. A few months later, he left and joined Wonderful Furnishers in Francistown. Late last year, he returned to Line Feed as a supervisor in the production department. He oversees all upholstery activities at the company and fixes sewing machines - a craft he learnt while still at Master Trade before he went to jail.
“I have made a lot of progress since my release. This shows that being an ex-convict does not mean the end of life. My skills have also been vital to the company. I want to excel to change people’s mindset towards ex-prisoners.
People think that prison means the end of life. Former inmates are considered outcasts in society. My ambition is to open my own company one day,” he said. He wants to be a shining example to other ex-inmates that there is life after prison.
The managing director at Line Feed, Reuben Seoke, said that Modongo is an outstanding worker who always gives his best.“That is why I have entrusted him with the responsibility of being a supervisor. He is a great example that ex-convicts can be useful members in the society,” Seoke said.
Before he went to jail, Modongo worked for Master Trade as a sewing machine technician. By the time he was arrested in 2005 for armed robbery in Maun, he had gone solo. He said on the night of the robbery, he had gone to the tourism hub to repair sewing machines.
“I had gone to fix sewing machines for my former employers, Master Trade. After I resigned from work late 2004, they still periodically contracted me to service their machines in Maun and Francistown. So on the day, I was in Maun to repair machines. I met with a former workmate.
Together with a person I did not know, they convinced me to assist them with transport to fetch some items at Herero Ward and I agreed. When we reached Herero, they entered a certain yard where they committed the robbery while I waited in the car at a distance.
I was not aware that it was a robbery. Initially, they made me believe that they were moving goods from their friend’s house.
But it later turned out that they were robbing the place while I was sitting in the car outside. Apparently, someone tipped off the police about the robbery but the two fled the scene on foot upon seeing the police.
The police apprehended me in the car with the goods and we were all later charged with robbery. In prison, I learnt lots of things. I developed interest in upholstery and learnt the craft.
It kept me busy during those tough times. I did not lose hope, not even on a single day. I knew I still had a chance of carving a better life for myself,” he said.
Modongo is taciturn about life in prison.
“All I can say it is rough in prison. It is pathetic,” he said. During trial, his co-accused testified that he was part of the robbery. “At the appeal stage, they showed remorse for what they had done to me but it was too late. I have forgiven the two men who contributed to my conviction,” he said. He stated that in prison, there are many people who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. “Seeing those people in my situation kept me going in jail,” he said.
“I know of a situation where two men filled their pockets with P30 each and approached a taxi driver to go and assist them carry stolen goods. When they were apprehended by police, they told them that the taxi man was the one who approached them to go and carry the goods and paid them the P30 each for their service.
They each presented the money to the police as exhibits and the case was so watertight. The taxi man was ultimately viewed by the court as the kingpin.
“I do not know how the case ended but it proves that criminals can incriminate many innocent people.
For me, the reality is that I was convicted. I failed to overturn my conviction and I can’t change that. You can’t cry over spilt milk.
That is why I focused on how I can improve my life after my release from prison,” he said. His conviction is that in court, it does not matter if one is innocent or not. Since his release Modongo has become an avid churchgoer who attends service every Sunday with his wife and children.