The Zimbabwe Prison Service (ZPS) is confused as to where to place an inmate who has both male and female sexual organs?

According to information which is now in the public domain, the hermaphrodite has been languishing in solitary confinement for the past six weeks.

The hermaphrodite is on remand at Chikurubi Female Prison after allegedly murdering his/her father, in cold blood, in May after blaming him for failing to solve the biological complications.

At the end of last month, the hermaphrodite (name withheld) was transferred from Mutimurefu Agricultural Prison in Masvingo after officials panicked when they discovered the inmate's status. 

ZPS assistant public relations officer Principal Prison Officer Simba Mhare confirmed the existence of the hermaphrodite at Chikurubi Female Prison.

Principal Prison Officer Mhare said the inmate was being treated "normally", getting time to mingle with female inmates when they are released for their meals.

Sources at Chikurubi Female Prison said the hermaphrodite has features of a woman, but his/her face looked like that of a man.

"When the inmate was brought to Harare, the inmate insisted that he was male," said the source. "After authorities at the institution investigated the matter, they decided that the inmate should be moved to the female section in a single cell." 

By Special correspondent